Are you thinking of moving to Burlington, VT and living your best life there, but you have some unanswered questions about it, such as:
- Is moving to Burlington, VT right for you?
- What about the cost of living in Burlington, VT? Is it suitable for you?
If you want to answer these questions, or maybe you’re looking for a “Living in Vermont: Pros and Cons”, hang around and read our 8 unbiased guides here (some might even shock you)!
Burlington is a unique, community-minded city on the coast of Lake Champlain, south of the Canadian border. It is a gorgeous city surrounded by mountains and water, with many amazing parks and places to see. The culture is superb, and it is a liberal-minded individual’s heaven.
One challenge with living in this city is its affordability, particularly the availability of affordable housing. If you’re on a tight budget, it may be difficult to afford some of the experiences that make this city great.
In A Nutshell: How Is It Really Like To Be Living In Vermont?
Let’s Start With Some Facts & Surveys
According to a 2018 CNBC report, Vermont is really one of America’s best places to live. The Green Mountain State in Burlington is located in northwestern Vermont with a healthy population and a pristine environment. Because of their strong anti-discrimination laws, everyone can enjoy living peacefully. It has even earned a reputation for America’s second-lowest violent crime rate.
This is no wonder why nearly 77% (the highest rate in the nation) of those surveyed said they feel “active and productive” every day.
What About The Overall Environment In Vermont?
Vermont offers multiple stunning landscapes to explore, regardless of the season. Many locals tell you that their two favourite seasons are fall and winter. You can witness the famous red and orange colours that blanket much of the state, and when the snowfall across the rivers, lakes and mountains would look like something straight out of a fairy tale.
Small Population = Lesser Waiting Time = Happier People
One of the major advantages of living in a sparsely populated state is that you spend less time waiting in traffic jams. Even in places like Burlington, the largest city, being stuck in traffic for more than a few minutes is a pretty rare occurrence. This is because the current population in Vermont is only 623,960, making them the second-smallest state by population, right behind Wyoming.
Although Vermont has a few big box stores, strip malls, and fast food outlets, the state mainly focuses on supporting smaller, independent family-run businesses.
Last but not least, we’ve mentioned it earlier in this guide, and we want to emphasize it again. “Vermont has such low crime rates; it’s consistently at the top of the charts for safety!” This makes the state an excellent place for families, retirees and pretty much anyone looking for a secure and safe place to live.
Now, you’re definitely not here to read about what you’ve already known about Vermont.
Well, this guide is really to give you more clarity on whether moving to Vermont is really suitable for you. So let’s cover the pros & cons of living in one of the most popular cities in Vermont, Burlington.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Burlington, VT
The Pros: Why Moving To Burlington, VT Is A Good Idea
1. You Get To Experience One Of The Best Four Seasons In America Throughout The Year
Winter
In general, Burlington, Vermont, has some of the biggest and best mountain resorts on the east coast! With so many different mountains to choose from, such as Stowe, Sugarbush, Jay Peak, Bolton, and Smuggler’s Notch, Burlington has become a haven for Eastern skiers and snowboarders alike. We’re sure some of you will eventually pick up winter sports and snow sports such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, or snowmobiling as a hobby!
Spring
Once all of the snow melts and the mud dries, this is where Burlington, VT, lives up to its “Green Mountain State” name. The mountain vegetation grows thick with wildflowers, making the whole scenery a beautiful blanket of greenery! Explore hiking trails in early spring to avoid the humid summer months.
Summer
Summers in Burlington, VT, are indeed like no other. There are plenty of family-friendly outdoor activities and summer events all line up for you throughout the season! From biking and hiking to fishing and sailing, from major festive events like Maple Festival to Magic Hat Mardi Gras, there’s always something for everyone!
Fall
Burlington, VT is also widely known as the “best leaf-peeping state in the country”, and it isn’t hard to see why. It is common to find enthusiasts known by locals as “Leaf Peepers”. Their hobby is to view and photograph spectacular colourful fall foliage even if they have to travel across state lines.
You know what? You should also spend some time enjoying the Fall season as well! The prime months begin from September, and it usually lasts till the end of November.
2. You Can Live In A Big Town With Seaside Feel Along Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain, the 13th largest lake in the United States, measuring a whopping 490 square miles, has a lot more to offer than you possibly can imagine!
You can choose to relax at one of the many waterfront restaurants, where you can grab a drink while enjoying the sunset with your loved ones.
In summer, you can beat the heat and take a dip at one of Burlington’s many waterfront parks and lakeside beaches. For leisure, you can hop on the famous cruise, ‘The Spirit of Ethan Allen’, for dinner or check out Lake Champlain Bikeways and Lake Champlain public access.
3. You Know You’ll Get Fresher Food & A Healthier Life With The Famous Burlington Farmers Market
Since 1980, Burlington Farmers Market has been hosting year-round, summer (outdoor) and winter (indoor) events, with over 90 stands of vendors offering locally grown food, art pieces, and fresh flowers.
There is even live music too!
One thing that attracts people to the Farmers Market is definitely the wide variety of higher quality food that you can’t find in the supermarket. If you’re looking for the best source of protein, vitamins and minerals for yourself or your family, you know where to go!
4. You’ll Never Be Short Of Dining Options in Burlington VT
Burlington is considered a food hub of Vermont, and it’s a great deal to its people.
According to the National Food Hub Collaboration, a food hub provides aggregation, distribution and outreach to educate consumers. They share the importance of source-identified food products primarily from farms and the original producers to encourage stewardship of healthy living.
The Cons: Know These Before Moving To Burlington, VT
5. You Might Struggle To Find A Forever Home
If you are looking to move to Burlington, VT, rentals might be challenging to find without a realtor. Presently, this can be attributed to the vast number of college students taking up most of the occupancy rate.
However, there is also a higher demand than supply situation whereby there has been an increasing rate of out-of-state people looking to move to Vermont.
While America’s average tenant vacancy is just under 7%, Burlington Vermont’s average vacancy is usually around 2% in the past years and dropped further to 1.1% in recent years.
It’s hard to say if or when the seller’s market will go back to normal, but we can recommend finding an experienced realtor to help you secure a place of your own.
6. The Cost Of Living In Burlington, VT Might Not Be Friendly To Your Savings
Housing
The cost of living in Burlington is higher than the national average. If you can find housing, you can expect your cost of living to be doubled. With a median home value of $400,000, a two-bedroom apartment’s average monthly rent is $1600.
Utilities
The utility expenses cost about 19%, with groceries and transportation taking up the largest portion at 12%. You can expect your electricity bill to cost around $220 per month and your phone bill to cost about $180 per month.
Property & Sales Taxes
The property taxes are relatively high in Burlington, and it can be undesiring for many people. On average, citizens of Burlington spend about $6000 a year in property taxes, which is over twice the national average! In addition, Burlington also has a sales tax of 7% and fortunately, it doesn’t apply to food, clothing or medicine.
7. The Low Median Income Might Not Be Able To Allow You To Live An Affluent Lifestyle That You’ve Always Dreamed Of
Aside from the high cost of housing and living, it can be stressful for people that are not earning much. This is because Burlington’s median income is relatively low compared to the other cities in the U.S. You’ll want to make sure you can get a job that pays well enough to support you.
The good thing is that Burlington has a high supply of jobs, and most of them have low barriers to entry. If someone ever loses a job or recently graduated, there will definitely be many other job opportunities available.
8. Winter Does Have Its Fair Share Of Trouble
As mentioned in point 1 above, we know that the lovely, cold and snowy winter months do attract people to participate in many exciting recreation activities.
However, the common complaint that you often hear from locals is that it’s a hassle to have your driveway ploughed or shovelled quite frequently. You’ll also probably want a car with a remote starter so you can give it time to warm up before you drive to work.
Even so, you’ll still have to scrape off ice and snow before getting into your car. The snow can also make the roads pretty slippery, which will naturally cause the traffic to become slower than usual. This means that you’ll want to leave early for work during harsh winters.
Conclusion About Moving To Burlington VT
There we have it! All the latest and unbiased pros and cons that you should know before moving to Burlington, VT!
While there are several unpleasant aspects of the city, we couldn’t deny that Burlington is capable of offering people an unbeatable quality of life and supportive communities!
Whether you’re relocating to Burlington as a family or on your own, the city is a beautiful place to live, work, learn, and play.
All in all, relocation is a huge decision, and one must always weigh the pros and cons. We hope this guide has been helpful for you and if you want to reduce the stress of moving to Burlington VT, contact Sanelo for a free quote today!
Interested to find out more about cities on the West Coast? Check out our guides about moving to New York, Newark and Virginia Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Burlington VT
How Do I Know If Moving To Burlington VT Is The Right Choice?
You are encouraged to visit Burlington VT at least once before deciding whether to relocate or not. Ideally, you would want to visit during the season where you dislike the most so that you can truly experience the uncomfortable lifestyle and not just the comfortable side of the city.
Once you’ve made up your mind to relocate, you can work with a professional moving company like Sanelo to help lessen the stress. Learn more about Sanelo’s services here:
Can I Still Request For Help To Move Regardless Of Burlington’s Climate?
Yes, of course! You can definitely request help to relocate any time of the year!
Regardless of the season or weather, you can be assured that our Shipment Protection will give you peace of mind! We understand that no two moves are ever the same. Therefore, we offer flexibility to meet your needs.
Give us a call at +65 3138 5273 today!
What Are The Hospitals In Burlington?
Everyone wants the best care they can get, especially during the ongoing pandemic. Some of the hospitals located in Burlington include UVM Medical Center, Fletcher Allen Health Care, and Vermont Children’s Hospital.
Is Burlington A Good Place To Live?
Yes, Burlington is a good place to live. Burlington is a town in Vermont with the second smallest population in the U.S., and residents genuinely love the urban-suburban vibes.
In Burlington, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Burlington, and residents tend to be liberal.
What Are The Key Industries And Biggest Employers In Burlington?
Top industries in Burlington’s economy include education, health services, trade, transportation, and utilities, and some manufacturing. Top employers in the city include the University of Vermont Medical Center (formerly Fletcher Allen Health Care), the University of Vermont, GlobalFoundries (in Essex Junction) and the Vermont Air National Guard (in South Burlington).
Additionally, the small population in Vermont might mean less competition in terms of the job market.