Expert: David Beckett - 5/9/2007

Question
QUESTION: David,

My family is looking into moving up in April next year and we have read and seen nothing but good things about the area for the most part. I have however read some really "out there" "nasty" comments on the city-data board but they are all by the same 2 or 3 people. You seem to be very happy living in the area but also see people who plan to move, get there, and then soon after moving change there mind and move away. What are the main reasons people leave the area? What do you yourself even not like about the area? My husband and I are young (mid-20's) with two very small girls ages 1 yr and 3 yrs. From what I hear on the city data board we would be called "econuts" or "crunchy". Which we are hoping is more common there then where we live here in Marlyand. (right now we live near Baltimore) My husband works as a Hotel Manager so we feel he should be able to find work (I hear that finding a job is somewhat hard there if you are not in the right fields) Other then finding work and cold winters (we love winter so that is not an issue) what are some of the "bad" or "hard" things about living there?

~Angela
ANSWER: Hi Angela -

I've been perplexed by the level of negativity over at that bbs you mention.

You ask what are the main reasons people leave. I'd say, mere circumstance. I've worked with a lot of transferring corporate employees who come here, enjoy it, and eventually are moved somewhere else by an employer.

Another common complaint is just the cost of living. Property taxes are high, food isn't inexpensive, and people may be commuting. Housing isn't inexpensive either. But people who come here gain a lot too. Less sprawl, less traffic, less crime, less craziness of many kinds I think. It's also relatively easy and inexpensive to enjoy arts and culture here, and outdoor recreation is also a huge draw for people.

You ask what I myself don't like? I'm spoiled. For me this is paradise: loads of things to do, lots of opportunities for real community involvement, good schools, surrounding ski areas, close to Montreal, Boston and NYC. I'm fortunate enough to be able to walk to the lake, to downtown Burlington, to the movies and to The Flynn Theatre. Burlington seems to be taken over every weekend by some festival, marathon, bike race, kids event or live music offering. It's just not possible to be bored here.

I just spent the weekend with a young couple who are moving here with 2 (very)young children. He's got a job in nearby and she'll be taking care of the kids. They found the drive from Burlington to work to be a pleasure. (compared to driving in most places in the country, this little commute must seem a joy) I also showed them the Echo Center and Burlington Waterfront, The Church Street Marketplace, The City Market food Co-op, and some of the area. I believe they'll be happy here.  

There are all sorts of people here in The Greater Burlington Area. But those of us who might be described as "crunchy" fit right in. There are a lot of very high profile "socially responsible" businesses (Ben and Jerry's, Seventh Generation, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, etc) which value employees who share a sort of progressive community spirit. Yet VT has a very popular Republican governor. People do tend to get along here, and I believe Burlington isn't quite so stratified by economic class as it might be.  

Please tell me how I can help you as you ponder a move.
I'm a Realtor of course, so if you can give me a sense of the price range you'd be curious about I can email you a link directly to MLS data and keep you up to date with the new listings if you'd like to start seeing them at some point.

Also I know a guy who runs a Marriot Residence Inn if that might help you get an inside look at job possibilities. Let me know if you'd like me to put you in touch.    

I hope this is some help to you!

David Beckett
Chenette Real Estate
david@askdavidbeckett.com




 



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: David,

You mention an Echo Center here. What and where is it? Also said you know someone at the Marriot Residence Inn. One of our biggest questions is how much can we expect my husband to get paid. He has about 7 years exp. as a Front Office/Desk Mgr. He does have an AA degree and most of his BA done at this point. Here he makes about $35,000. Do you know what kind of salary he could expect to find in the Burlington area? Also since we have kids health insurance is a big factor. Do most hotels have health insurance as part of the salary package? Or do we have to pay for a family health plan ourselves? Maybe your friend would have an idea. If we knew the answers to those questions it would give us a much better idea of what price range we can afford in the housing market there. We plan to play it safe and rent for a year while we get to know the area and schools. Then make the move to buy a home near the end of our lease. I do plan to go back to work but not till my girls are in school (about 3-4 years away) so we need something that his salary alone can afford. We are not looking for much just a small home or townhouse with 2/3 bedrooms with some sort of a yard(it does not need to be big just enough for the girls to play in).

Thanks for all your help.
Angela  

Answer
It's essentially a lakefront hands-on children's science museum. It's right at the waterfont in Burlington, footsteps from the Waterfront Park, boardwalk, public boathouse, etc. http://www.echovermont.org/ (The photos don't begin to do it justice...)

Try Don Urban at The Courtyard by Marriot for your hotel questions.  1 802 879 0100. I believe they (Marriot)are constructing a new property here right by the lake. He'd know who you might talk with in the Marriot organization.

I don't know the answer to the health insurance question, but there is a state program called Dr Dynosaur, which, with federal funds, assures that no child in VT goes without health insurance. It's generous, but it's income sensitive. I'm sure there's info about it on the State web pages.

...hope this helps!

David Beckett
david@askdavidbeckett.com
1 802 264 1888