Anyone been to or lived in Burlington, Vermont?

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Zaia
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Anyone been to or lived in Burlington, Vermont?

Post by Zaia »

I'm going on a long weekend trip in March or April with a friend to see if we'd like to move to Vermont, and right now we're focusing on Burlington because it's Vermont's biggest city and it's on the water. We like beautiful countryside, mountain-side skiing villages, cute shops, music, arts, coffeeshops, parks, and fun people, and most of all, we want to get out of Maryland and Ohio, our home states at the moment. We've both been talking about this off and on for a couple of years now, about how we'd like to move to New England (or the Pacific Northwest), but we decided to hone in on Vermont yesterday. Even if we don't end up moving there, we'll still have a lovely litttle vacation while we check it out, we figure.

A&E named Burlington its #1 city to "have it all," and "Outside" magazine named it America's "Dream City." The city itself also proclaims that it is one of America's most liveable cities, as you can see on this link, which also has some photos and information.

I also love the fact that Burlington is so close to Quebec, since I'm in love with Quebec. If we moved there, I'd be less than three hours from Mont Tremblant! Actually, I wonder if Burlington is a bilingual area; it is pretty far north and the weather reports gave both Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures...

Anyone lived there? Is it boring? Are there activities to get involved in? Are the people friendly? Is it beautiful? I know they get heaps of snow (duh), but does it get really icy up there too?

In case anyone can help answer my questions, thanks. :D
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Post by Col. Crackpot »

Burlington, eh? Cahhhnt get theyah from heyah. :wink:

It's nice. I took a little detour through the city on my way to Montreal. It's equal parts artsy-fartsy, rugged swamp Yankee, and college trendy. The Vermont Teddy Bear factory is around Burlington too. Parts of Vermont, especially along I-89 look like the land that time forgot. Picturesque houses and farms dotting the countryside. The Green Mountains are nice too, though likely not very green in March or April.
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Post by wood »

If you like Quebec, you could always move to Montreal - we're always happy to get more intelligent and open-minded people in Canada :)

I have been to Burlington. I think "trendy college town" describes it pretty well. It is very pretty. It reminded me of Guelph, Ontario (don't know if you've ever been there). Lots of nice scenery, and if you like skiing, there's some great runs (apparently - I don't ski myself). Also, if you like beer, there's a great microbrew in town called Magic Hat. Far superior to generic mass-produced swill.

Oh, and a piece of advice - don't stay in the local Super 8 Motel :?.
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Post by Wicked Pilot »

I knew it! This whole time you were really a lesbian leading us lonely males on for your own sadistic pleasure.


we want photos
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Post by Col. Crackpot »

Wicked Pilot wrote:I knew it! This whole time you were really a lesbian leading us lonely males on for your own sadistic pleasure.


we want photos
Vermont does have the highest concentration of flannel outside of Canada.
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Post by Wicked Pilot »

Col. Crackpot wrote:Vermont does have the highest concentration of flannel outside of Canada.
Hopefully she's just a grunge fan then.
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Post by Zaia »

Col. Crackpot wrote:Burlington, eh? Cahhhnt get theyah from heyah. :wink:
Rhode Island's in the running too, but I'm of the opinion that it isn't quite far enough away. :D
It's nice. I took a little detour through the city on my way to Montreal. It's equal parts artsy-fartsy, rugged swamp Yankee, and college trendy. The Vermont Teddy Bear factory is around Burlington too. Parts of Vermont, especially along I-89 look like the land that time forgot. Picturesque houses and farms dotting the countryside. The Green Mountains are nice too, though likely not very green in March or April.
I'm totally a country girl, so I have a feeling I'm going to fall madly in love with the place, but we'll see. I like artsy-fartsy and college trendy--not sure about 'rugged swamp Yankee,' whatever that is. :P
wood wrote:If you like Quebec, you could always move to Montreal - we're always happy to get more intelligent and open-minded people in Canada :)
I've thought about going to grad school in Quebec, actually. It's entirely possible I'll end up there eventually. :D
I have been to Burlington. I think "trendy college town" describes it pretty well. It is very pretty. It reminded me of Guelph, Ontario (don't know if you've ever been there). Lots of nice scenery, and if you like skiing, there's some great runs (apparently - I don't ski myself). Also, if you like beer, there's a great microbrew in town called Magic Hat. Far superior to generic mass-produced swill.
I've had Magic Hat! I think I liked it too! And although I don't ski (yet), I love skiing villages (hence my love of Mont Tremblant, Quebec), so if there are many of those, I think Vermont'll win me over like good ol' French Canadia.
Oh, and a piece of advice - don't stay in the local Super 8 Motel .:?
Nah, I think we'll be staying with some Quaker families, actually, but thanks for the heads-up. :D

And for the record, the only flannel clothing I own are multiple pairs of pj pants, I am not a big fan of grunge and I am not a lesbian. :P
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Post by J »

I lived in Burlington for a bit, in fact my sister was born there....well...Burlington Ontario that is. :P

Sorry, I've been weird & giddy all day for some reason...
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Post by Zaia »

jmac wrote:I lived in Burlington for a bit, in fact my sister was born there....well...Burlington Ontario that is. :P

Sorry, I've been weird & giddy all day for some reason...
Real helpful, babe. Thanks. :P
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Post by fgalkin »

Zaia wrote:
jmac wrote:I lived in Burlington for a bit, in fact my sister was born there....well...Burlington Ontario that is. :P

Sorry, I've been weird & giddy all day for some reason...
Real helpful, babe. Thanks. :P
Well, you can always move to canada, you know. :P

Have a very nice day.
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Post by Ma Deuce »

I've thought about going to grad school in Quebec, actually. It's entirely possible I'll end up there eventually.
Quebec is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there...
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Post by Mayabird »

Well, part of my family got kicked out of Vermont. Does that count?

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Post by HemlockGrey »

The only thing that comes to mind when I think of Vermont is "skiing". Hopefully you enjoy that.
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Post by Luke Starkiller »

My wife lived in Burlington until last May and she loved it. I can't say much about winter activities, though it is not as cold and icy as Ottawa in the winter and there are great hiking trails in the summer. Make sure you stop in to the Vermont Pub & Brewery when you are there and have some of their brews, the Burly Irish is my personal favourite.
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Re: Anyone been to or lived in Burlington, Vermont?

Post by Stofsk »

Zaia wrote:Anyone lived there? Is it boring? Are there activities to get involved in? Are the people friendly? Is it beautiful? I know they get heaps of snow (duh), but does it get really icy up there too?
I know this may come as a surprise, but I assure you that I've never been to Burlington or Vermont. So I can't really help you. :)

Seriously, have a fun time wherever you go.
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Post by Zaia »

Luke Starkiller wrote:My wife lived in Burlington until last May and she loved it. I can't say much about winter activities, though it is not as cold and icy as Ottawa in the winter and there are great hiking trails in the summer. Make sure you stop in to the Vermont Pub & Brewery when you are there and have some of their brews, the Burly Irish is my personal favourite.
Did she rent while she was there? I haven't been able to find much information about available apartments/houses for rent there (probably because there isn't much, and they don't seem to be very wired up there), and was hoping to have a general idea of what I should expect to pay for rent. Really, any information you could share would be fabulous (and we'll definitely check out the Pub & Brewery, thanks for that!).

Oh, and is the mud season at the beginning of spring really nasty? It sounds a little bit gross. :D
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