I've been here nine years and enjoy it a great deal. To me, it's not the paradise that some reviewers here say it is for them. However, you will find many people like that. They lot it totally, take great pride in being Vermonters. I have noticed especially on local talk radio that some Vermonters claim we are better than other states and other people because we care so much about our neighbors. Classic liberal philosophy abounds here but it's mostly positive, not denigrating anyone except George Bush and Dick Cheney. The hatred of those two is palpable.

Coming from the midwest Rust Belt city where Democrats was mostly union members and/or minority, it was surprising to see the difference in Demoncrats here. Liberals are so numerous they can still win an election even when Democrats split the liberal vote with Progressives, a party that thinks Democrats are too conservative!

In summary, liberal Democrats are considered middle of the road here. A few Republicans are elected from some conservative rural areas. The governor is Republican but he has been in politics for many years, previously as State Treasurer, and therefore he has high name recognition among voters.

The air here is very clean and there are beautiful, photogenic views on every drive. There is some crime here but far less than almost any other area of the country you can think of. Many rural people don't lock doors and it's not unusual to find those who leave the keys in their car. Don't try that in the larger cities however. I know someone who has never taken the ignition key out of his pickup. Of course, it's ten years old now but he did that even when it was new. There was talk last year of making it a ticketable offense to leave your car running while you go into a store. It's not unusual to see that in winter - again in rural areas, not so much in Burlington.

Winter is magnificent. The sun almost always shines the day after a snow dump and it looks picture postcard pretty. If you're cold, it's because you are wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Learn to dress for cold weather and you'll be plenty comfortable. Learn such words as "merino wool" "fleece" "polypropolene" etc. Spend half an hour in a good Vermont outfitters store (not a chain store) to learn how to dress.

Yes, some short periods are bitter cold. However, I have noticed that people here observe the weather but they don't complain as much as people in other areas of the country where I have lived. If you are a weather weenie and don't want to get dressed properly, this state won't work for you - but neither will the northern half of the country. Minnesota, North Dakota, Alberta - now that's where it gets really cold. At least here, there are many outdoor recreation opportunities, most notably skiing.

As Priscillaw said below, it is can surprising how expensive it is to live here. For example, our electric rate is $0.16 per kilowatt hour, double what we paid in the Midwest. And the liberals here want to shut down our nuclear plant (1/3 of the state's total production) and go to solar/wind. We get the rest of our power from Hydro Quebec on a long term contract that is ending soon. We're looking at $0.20 to $0.30 per kilowatt hour in a couple of years, perhaps less.

Automobile gas, heating oil, propane (there is very little natural gas underground here) are higher than other areas of the country and will also be going up of course.

We want to preserve our rural environment so we make businesses jump through a lot of regulatory hoops. That's probably not really necessary because taxes are high and state government does little to compete for businesses, especially any that manufacture something and are therefore dirty.

The state budget was headed for a major disaster because the liberal legislature felt it had to keep, if not increase, all social programs. It was headed toward raising taxes to do some of that (it would not be able to raise them enough) but the influx of federal stimulus money has bailed them out for the next couple of years.

Many who live here comfortably made their money elsewhere and then moved here. That's probably the best approach but you may get lucky and find a good paying job depending upon your career.

Vermont is a pretty nice place. I personally love the weather lol as weird as that sounds. Hey what can I say?

Vermont is a beautiful place. I love it.

While VT may be a bit quirky and extremely rural, it makes the most of what it has and it does it well. From skiing to hiking, Vermont is an outdoorsman's dream. The majority of the cities are small and most of the towns have a dense village center, making for an urbanist's dream, though the biggest city, Burlington, is not all that big. It's also a great destination for beer lovers.

I was very disappointed in Vermont.  People make it out to be this lush wonderland and I just didn't see the splenor I expected.

Excellent educational opportunities, clean government, great natural beauty, and an intelligent population.

Nine months of winter and three months of damned poor sleddin'.

If I could live anywhere in the world,  I would choose to spend the summer half of the year around Burlington, VT and the winter half of the year around Tucson Arizona.  It's too cold to live year around in VT.

Vermont is one of the most progressive states in the USA-one visit here will prove that.

Some charming towns with friendly unmaterialistic people-

The mountains are truly green-especially in the summer- lots to outside year round.
Low crime rate and a high quality of life for all- with less economic stratification in more urban states.

Vermont is STUNNING in every way! Probably the most picturesque state in the nation, and chock full of progressive, educated cool Americans. I'm stuck in ass-backwards redneck Ohio for the last decade, so if you're in Vermont and complaining, coming out here for a few days will 'fix that'! Vermont ROCKS!!!

Beneath the beauty lies a really progressive state. Plus, go to Burlington one morning and look across the lake at the Adirondacks with a cup of coffee. Its really spectacular. Vermont just needs to pay workers a bit better...they are on an economic collision course. High housing prices, low inventory, and low wages, and high heating costs are going to mean tough times for the year round residents. Another issue...lots of Fairfield County CT, NYC, and Boston trustfunders "hanging out" up here. Lots of the rural chic posers....

This is the way the country was meant to be. I just can't think of a more ideal place when it comes to rural. Small towns are the lifeblood of this state and it seems nearly all of them are beautiful and quaint. I you had the 4 seasons and put it on a postcard Vermont would epitomize them all. Vermont is THE place to go for fall foliage - Bar None ! Just jump in your car and drive on the back roads from one little hamlet to another graced with mountains, valleys, villages, and white steepled churches. It's as if you've entered a Norman Rockwell painting. Lake Champlain is great. It has islands, sandy beaches and you can even chug a ferry across it to the Adirondacks of New York state (also beautiful). Skiing here is the best in the east. It's also within a few hours drive to Boston, Montreal and New York so it's not too isolated. If I could find work here I'd move to Vermont in a heartbeat.

Like the rest of Northern New England, Vermont rules when it comes to beautiful country.

I have lived in Vermont for six years now. Having lived in New England almost my entire life as well as four additional states outside of Vermont, I feel that I can give a pretty straightforward review on Vermont. To the people who visit every so often Vermont and are considering a move here I'd say it's a great place to live, but bear in mind there are a few things you may, or may not want to consider before moving here. One: It's expensive. The overall cost of living will be much higher here than most urban cities. Something you can't truly foresee until you get here. Utilities are far more expensive I have found. The cost of heating is very expensive, unless you can have supplemental heating such as a wood stove. Also, you don't have much (save a few towns here and there) to choose from for your everyday expenses that you may be used to already, such as cell phone carriers, electric, gas, phone etc. Groceries are also a lot more expensive here than I have found in other cities, towns that we've lived in previously. Two: It's not as liberal as most folks may think. Yes, when you get to certain areas / towns there are a lot of free thinkers (for example, Burlington, Brattleboro etc.) However, don't assume that the majority of folks who reside here are all free spirits. I personally have not found that to be the case in comparison to other towns I have lived in over the years. Three: The employment situation is difficult. there are not a lot of places to work where you can get livable wages here in Vt. Four: The weather is tough in the winter. Yes, we do really get about five months of winter weather. I've seen it snow in late April and as early as November. Having lived in Maine for about 26 years though, I don't think (at least not the part of Vermont I live in) it's any more difficult than Maine, New Hampshire or Mass. So if you know what their weather is like, you'll be prepared. I don't think it's much colder or harder personally. That said, I still give Vermont a five star rating. I think the overall quality of living is outstanding. The people here are quite lovely, it's more laid back than anywhere I've ever lived. If you can adjust to the slower pace of life, and don't expect it to be like anywhere you've ever lived you'll do just fine. Be prepared to slow down here. We have found that it helps to either have something already set up to come to as far as employment goes, or to bring something with you, as we say here. There are a lot of transplants who come with the idea that well paying jobs are abundant. I have not found that to be the case, but if you have a good skill and can market yourself well you should be just fine. Schools are fantastic, towns are small and quaint, just like the photos you see. It's truly one of the only places I've lived or been that the photos are exactly like what you will find here. Most places that you look at say online or in photos show a few key beautiful places which are not truly representative of the entire area or state. This is NOT the case with Vermont. Every town I have visited is gorgeous! Filled with mountains, small towns and beautiful pastures. If you like the idea of seeing breathtaking mountain ranges daily, pastures of hosteins and friendly folks to live side by side with, this IS the place for you! You won't be dissapointed.

Vermont is a great state- with small to medium sized towns that offer low crime, tolerance and urbane sophistication. Colorado may be great for skiing- but you might butt heads with far right reactionaries something you will not have to deal with in Vermont.

To start I really liked Vermont. The towns are quaint and like everyone else said the views are wonderful and people were nice (for the most part). But the reason I gave it a 3 is this. I found Vermont to have good superstructure with those little towns but there was something very phoney about it too. Little towns where things were very expensive like they could see the tourists coming. How many places can you have selling $10 trinkets, syrup and soap for Gods sake? Every town was like this. I love the mountains, hiking and streams...they were wonderful. But they can see the tourists coming. I spent more for a Hotel in buttslam Vermont than in many other awesome places in this country. Why is that? I can think of many other places that are beautiful and don't rake your money like that. Also, the winters are terrible, especially for people who don't care less about skiing. My buddy is leaving after 20 years because of the Damned winters as he said.

The moneyed Ben and Jerry crowd have marginalized the original Vermonters. The original Vermonters were not that affluent, but the New Yorkers and other East Coast types have muscled a lot of them out.

Incredible state soaring green mountains with peaceful valley's and farms. Wonderful funky towns, with low crime and friendly urbane poplulace. Great place to visit and live. AND the idiot who stole my e mail address and wrote the phoney one star rating is a thief!

Very pretty state- charming small towns abound. Friendly people that are laid back. I loved Brandon and Woodstock, and Burlington is a mini city of many sophisticated venues. A wee too cold for this former Californian- but paradise still.

I have been to Brattleboro many times, and visited Wilmington as well. I loved the low key peace and green mountains. Hardly no traffic problems or crime. Real Main streets with white churches and Java shops with ethnic eateries- a short distance from the country! The people are slightly reserved- but friendly and down to earth and not into pretention or materialism. Winters can be tough- better off with a hybrid 4 wheel drive here. I drove in January from central Connecticut where there was hardly no snow- to southern Vermont (about 120 miles or so) and there was nearly 2 feet of snow! Climatic differences in New England vary greatly from the south to the north. Over all a wonderful state with a 'real' quality of life that is pleasing to the soul and spirit.

Really nice state, but just like its Neighbor a couple states over, Maine, it is losing it's New England charm in many areas because of tourism and transplants, more than half of the people who live in Vermont now are newcomers from other states, so there isnt as much of a local feel as their used to be, the friendly New England people are now outnumberd by yuppie vacationers or hippies in many towns. But it is still very beautiful, so it has to get more than an average rating.

Pretty state. . .good opportunity for camping and outdoorsy stuff. . .the small New England-esque towns are nice but I get tired of it after 3 or 4 days. Still a nice place for a romantic 3-day retreat.

OK

Vermont is a beautiful state, green mountains, peaceful valley's and farms with a low amount of envirionmental destruction, and a high quality of life. The people for the most part seem less interested in materialism then other areas, and look for an inner peace in defining their life goals.

I have been to Vermont many times- and have never found it to be of the 'deliverence genre' it is yes rural and quiet- but it differs from other rural states further south with its general tolerance of people seeking peace and solitude. There is much sophistication here- and an attitude of leaving others alone- without critical judgement.

COLD AS A WITCH'S T*T!

Highly overrated IMHO here, good scenery and mountains but outside of the boring city of Burlington (the state's largest city with a population of 40,000 LOL!) can I say backwards and the dueling banjos of the film Deliverance playing? Very remote and isolated, if you like playing banjo in a rocking chair then go now!

A very peaceful state- non corporate and not materialistic. Great towns like Burlington- along with other burgs of like charater and integrity. No crime, pastural and low stress.

I love the community feeling of Vermont. There is very little evidence of Corporate America. Just a lot of nice local places and people with many interesting talents.

Vermont has one of the highest quality of life ratings of all the 50 states. Small cozy towns and cities which offer a high degree of sophistication for visitor and resident alike. Beautiful scenary, with green mountains, peaceful valleys and forests. Little traffic, low crime and good schools make it ideal for families or individuals seeking to escape the rat race in an area that is progressive and exciting without the congestion and competition of mega metro regions elsewhere.

I just got back from a weekend trip there. My first time there and I gotta say, I would live there if it weren't for the snow. Manchester and Bennington were gorgeous. Peak season for the leaves changing was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. Everyone was very friendly. There is also a great winery there called North River Winery...excellent wine! Great hiking, skiing for nature lovers...great shopping too. Staying in a B&B or a B&B-like hotel is a must.

It doesn't quite make it to 5 because unlike the rest of the new england states, it doesn't have a coastline at all. But it still has great fall foliage and seems pretty friendly. EDIT: It isnt the least populus state like somebody said, just for a correction, that is Wyoming, which is beside the point. I think Vermont is the only state in new enlgnad were pretty much EVERY town is one of those quaint friendly, comfortable new england towns that you hear about, read about, and see in movies. I have always though that it would be great to live in a place like that, so i will give vermont another star, 5!

Truly beautiful place. Peaceful, quiet, unpretentious, clean. The scenery is magnificent. The people are friendly, progessive, non-consumerist and anti-development, which are very positive virtues. Burlington is one of the most appealing cities in America, Brattleboro is a funky and fun little berg, Bennington is a flinty, but quaint little town that has a feel that's more like upstate New York, little wonder. Rutland has a gritty feel, too, and the capitol towns of Montpelier and Barre typify New England living. Some very good colleges here. Proximate to Quebec, which is another interesting and appealing piece of the turf. The only knock on Vermont is that real estate is a bit high, and career opportunities are lacking: the name of the game is to make your $$$ elsewhere, buy your house for cash, and settle into a less glitzy lifestyle. Heaven on Earth, indeed.

High quality of life in Vermont peaceful, and low crime with very good schools. Pace of life is perfect, friendly people, non materialistic, pro environment. Great summers and falls. Progressive- tolerant-beautiful scenary. Only real downer are the long winters- global warming is slowly changing that! Brattleboro is very nice, as is Burlington- Bennington and Rutland are so peaceful-with great Main Streets- with Thai Restuarants and Starbucks! Enjoy the mountaims and quiet valley's.

I visited once and did not want to come home. Granted, it was in the summer so had I visited in the dead of winter, Vermont could have earned a lower rating. But the people were so friendly, and a sparse population, which means ZERO traffic woes. I believe it is the least populated state in the Union--I will be going back one day.

I spent about 14 Christmas holidays in the Killington-Pico area. Very scenic and rustic area. Would give the state a 5 rating, but Howard Dean is from there. You have to enjoy peace and tranquility. It is a beautiful area for all seasons.

Vermont is SO pretty especially in the winter. I used to go skiing/snowboarding there every year. Killington and Okemo are awesome mountains if you ski/snowboard. I also reccomend checking out the Ben & Jerry factory and adorable little town shops! If you have a big family and lots of cash then renting a ski house for the week is a MUST!

Vermont is my friendly neighbor to the north. You can have fun there every season of the year. in winter you ski. In spring and summer you go hiking in the mountains. in the fall you go apple picking and drink hot cider, while buying fresh cheese. I don't know why, bu the air is crisper up there. I'm glad that no big cities are left in vermont because it's one of the few unurbanized places in new england.

Very pretty, nice little towns, and Vermonters didn't seem nearly as anti-social as other New Englanders. Can't say I'd want to spend a winter there though.

amazing, nice n green, very open attitudes prevail here, howard dean just makes it better

One of the most pleasant and beautiful states in the US with its green mountains.

Here's where I found the stereotype of the self-sufficient New Englander to be true. This is the place a stranger is least likely to ask you for a handout ... in my time spent here I met people who recycled everything, who lived well on seemingly nothing, and who depended on no one for outside help. A flinty but friendly folk. Quite beautiful place for much of the year, too, but bring a coat.

Gay marriage = 1 star rating

POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES: One of the safest states around- its really a peaceful place to live. It's got one of the lowest crime rates in the country and the lowest crime rate in New England except for Maine. My mother plans on moving there after her retirement because she has a thing for Vermont's beauty. Even their largest cities are modest in size, and its overall a great place to simply drive through and observe all their beauty. NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES: I'll be damned if I can think of any.

Simply the best place in America.

This must be the very few states in US where you really can enjoy a trully peaceful life without the worry of getting assault in the middle of the street. People are friendly and the natural scenary is really beautiful too.

Vermont is what I call "The Walton State" because everyone there is so nice and welcoming to you. It's so beautiful, and whenever you go to restaurants, it's not McDonalds, but very old-fashioned homestyle cooking, that will fatten you up. It's a great state.

The wonderful people and quiet country serenity are unforgetable!