[GypsySoul22]

As you know, life here in the Upper Valley has been a mixed bag for me. While I understand there is a recession everywhere, this area has been heavily hit with the Dartmouth hiring freezes.

We're kicking around the idea of moving to southern VT. I see by some cost comparisons the cost of living (either utilities or housing) get much cheaper once we leave this area.

But I have 2 major criteria if we do move...I need to find a good middle school/high school with excellent special ed. for my son and there have to more jobs than here. I'd also like a place with a decent library.

Arel has been kind to tell me about Brat, but I shudder at the crime there...it's very, very high compared to other VT places. Sperlings ranks Brattleboro as a 6 on a crime scale from 1-10. Where I live now is a 1. (higher is worse).

If anyone can give me some advice I'd be glad to hear it.

[vter]

Your best bet for good schools and more employment opportunities is the Burlington area. Cost of living is high though. I don't think you'll find a better situation in Southern VT compared to where you are now.

[GypsySoul22]

Originally Posted by vter

Your best bet for good schools and more employment opportunities is the Burlington area. Cost of living is high though. I don't think you'll find a better situation in Southern VT compared to where you are now.

Thanks VTer.
We don't want to move any further north, though.

[mustmove]

MA metro suburbs. Good schools, good libraries, more economic opportunities, still very liberal. Shop around you will find affordable rent in a great town. Groceries are cheaper and we even have a twice weekly farmers market. There are tons of usable green space in MA. Western MA seems to have some of the same issues as VT, no building allowed, no jobs, etc.

[ex-springfielder]

I have to agree with Vter, I doubt you'll have any better luck than the White River/Lebanon area in any other part of southern Vermont. Brattleboro, Bennington or Manchester would be your only choices unless you get real lucky and find employment in some small town in between. Your employment opportunities in the Lebanon area are several times those of any place south of there, to say nothing of shopping, cultural and recreation offerings.

[68vette]

If you were to stay in Vermont your only bet is to go north for better opportunity than where you are now. You never know though, you could check out the job hirings and see if you get lucky. You can also check into areas of NH and Mass. The school systems in both states rank high in New England and the nation.

[Wingfoot]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

As you know, life here in the Upper Valley has been a mixed bag for me. While I understand there is a recession everywhere, this area has been heavily hit with the Dartmouth hiring freezes.

We're kicking around the idea of moving to southern VT. I see by some cost comparisons the cost of living (either utilities or housing) get much cheaper once we leave this area.

But I have 2 major criteria if we do move...I need to find a good middle school/high school with excellent special ed. for my son and there have to more jobs than here. I'd also like a place with a decent library.

Arel has been kind to tell me about Brat, but I shudder at the crime there...it's very, very high compared to other VT places. Sperlings ranks Brattleboro as a 6 on a crime scale from 1-10. Where I live now is a 1. (higher is worse).

If anyone can give me some advice I'd be glad to hear it.

I love libraries, go in every one I see, fancy myself as a pretty good judge of same.

I'm old and have lived in 17 states and dozens of towns.
The absolute WORST library I have ever seen is Bennington's.
I"ve seen towns of under a thousand with better ones, I kid you not !

[mustmove]

VT libraries are a disappointment. With one of the highest tax rates in the country and some of the highest education spending in the country you'd think VT would have better libraries.

[Sherylcatmom]

Seems OT to me but I love Rutland's library. They have almost all of what I want and need, and when I don't they order it.

I know the director from when I was in Rotary and I think she's incredibly smart and cares deeply about the library as a community resource. Also, there's a wonderful community room where anyone can hold events as long as they're free and open to the public.

[arel]

Brattleboro has a great library. I think the director has won an award from the state for his work.

Yes, crime is rising in Brattleboro. There

Being from New York, I double lock my doors, but I know people here who leave their doors unlocked.

The crime rate is negligible compared to big cities, but there have been news reports of burglaries and thefts. I have heard of people's credit cards being abused at my two of my favorite Brattleboro restaurants.

Brattleboro is far from perfect, and it has an underbelly of poverty, but so far I like living here. It's a rural town with urban amenities and a lively arts culture.