23 Surprising Things You May Not Expect When Moving To Vermont
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Kristin Grimes
Author
People everywhere come and go, and sometimes they land here in the Green Mountain State. If you’re new here… Welcome!
Certain images and stereotypes come to mind when people picture living in Vermont. Maybe they think they will live in an 1800s farmhouse and raise some chickens or maybe they will go into business for themselves tapping trees to make and sell their own syrup (It takes about 40-60 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup so don’t quit your day job!). Regardless of what people have in mind, there are a few things that always surprise them. These things vary depending on where they came from, but here are some things we’ve heard from newbies over the years.
You may see us ordering a nice bottle of wine in our long johns apres ski, or you may hear the swish, swich, swish of ski pants while shopping. We may be casual, but we're also classy, and we don't need to dress up to prove it.
These bridges are not only a way to get from A to B - they are landmarks for directions. For example: "After you pass the red covered bridge, drive for 2 minutes and take a left."
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Vermont is heaven for dogs. Literally. We have a chapel for our dogs who have gone to heaven.
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If you can handle mud season, you just might make it here.
Vermont values each person for the individual they are. We were the first state to abolish slavery, and the first to legalize gay marriage.
Life is good here. Always and everywhere.
Going out for a drive is actually fun because we can really appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Billboards are illegal, so you can hit the road without being assaulted by advertisements.
No one has ever seen "Champ," but we all still look for him in Lake Champlain every time.
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And they are stunningly picturesque.
Other than the occasional turkey or deer crossing and a few leaf peepers, we rarely encounter traffic. Some towns don't have a single traffic light, nor do they need one.
Your neighbors may be few and far between, and even farther if they are rarely there.
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Our palates are quite refined.
Vermont consistently ranks in the USA's top states with the highest high school graduation rates.
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It might seem like a good idea, but submerging yourself in freezing cold water is not for the weak, though it IS for a great cause. The Special Olympics benefits from these daring people's bravery, but we don't recommend trying this at home!
We love farm to table meals, organic farms and homegrown anything! Practically everyone maintains some kind of garden.
City dwellers take note! School drop-offs and pickups are not a fashion show. We come in yoga pants, work clothes, and snow pants. We don't pick our kids up to impress. This may seem like an odd thing to mention, but the number of people who have commented on this after they move here is astronomical!
The grocery store may be 10 miles away, the movies 15 miles, etc.
Vermonters take pride in their beer and there are many breweries, and many, many more people who brew at home. It's more than a hobby, brewing beer here is a way of life.
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It really is that good on just about everything.
Vermont foliage is beautiful everywhere, not just a few choice picture-perfect spots. Be forewarned that it will take longer to get places because of leaf peepers admiring the view, so plan your route accordingly this fall.
No one does farmers’ markets better than Vermont. If you want fresh, go to your local farmer's market. Use the grocery store to supplement everything else.
Of course you'll admire the foliage - but you'll have to learn the proper driving etiquette when doing so.
If you weren't born in Vermont, you're a flatlander. Even if you moved here one day after you were born, you're a flatlander. This rule is strict and unwavering.
What do you think newcomers should know? If you are new to Vermont, what surprised you?
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