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.
- It’s pretty casual.
Flickr/Yelp Inc. 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.
- Covered bridges really are everywhere.
Flickr/C Hanchey 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.”
- Almost everyone has a pet.
Flickr/bazusa Vermont is heaven for dogs. Literally. We have a chapel for our dogs who have gone to heaven.
- There are 5 seasons in Vermont.
Flickr/Putneypics If you can handle mud season, you just might make it here.
- We value equality.
Flickr/Adrian Cabrero Vermont values each person for the individual they are. We were the first state to abolish slavery, and the first to legalize gay marriage.
- No matter where you go…
Flickr/Jay Parker Life is good here. Always and everywhere.
- Ads aren’t in your face.
Flickr/Sean_Marshall 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.
- There is a lake monster.
Flickr/redjar No one has ever seen “Champ,” but we all still look for him in Lake Champlain every time.
- The roads are quiet.
Flickr/James Walsh And they are stunningly picturesque.
- Traffic jams are almost non-existent.
Flickr/lorenz.markus97 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.
- There is a large number of second home owners.
Flickr/Leslee_atFlickr Your neighbors may be few and far between, and even farther if they are rarely there.
- It’s possible to find good coffee and ethnic restaurants in most towns.
Twitter/Alpha Our palates are quite refined.
- Education is awesome.
Flickr/ Barb and Dean Vermont consistently ranks in the USA’s top states with the highest high school graduation rates.
- The Penguin Plunge is no joke.
Flickr/BostonTx 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!
- Healthy state.
Flickr/U.S. Department of Agriculture We love farm to table meals, organic farms and homegrown anything! Practically everyone maintains some kind of garden.
- No makeup?!?!
Flickr/kuuipo1207 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!
- Be prepared to drive everywhere.
Flickr/Jay Parker The grocery store may be 10 miles away, the movies 15 miles, etc.
- Whether you drink it or not, you need to appreciate craft beer.
Flickr/Colby 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.
- If you don’t already love VT maple syrup, you’ll learn.
Fkickr/QUOI Media Group It really is that good on just about everything.
- Autumn is incredible.
Flickr/Allard Schager 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.
- If you want good food and great fun, you visit your local farmer’s market.
Flickr/Matthew H 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.
- Don’t become a “Leaf Peeper.”
Flickr/Jay Parker Of course you’ll admire the foliage - but you’ll have to learn the proper driving etiquette when doing so.
- You will always be considered a flatlander.
Flickr/Paul Moody 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?
Flickr/Yelp Inc.
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.
Flickr/C Hanchey
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.”
Flickr/bazusa
Vermont is heaven for dogs. Literally. We have a chapel for our dogs who have gone to heaven.
Flickr/Putneypics
If you can handle mud season, you just might make it here.
Flickr/Adrian Cabrero
Vermont values each person for the individual they are. We were the first state to abolish slavery, and the first to legalize gay marriage.
Flickr/Jay Parker
Life is good here. Always and everywhere.
Flickr/Sean_Marshall
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.
Flickr/redjar
No one has ever seen “Champ,” but we all still look for him in Lake Champlain every time.
Flickr/James Walsh
And they are stunningly picturesque.
Flickr/lorenz.markus97
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.
Flickr/Leslee_atFlickr
Your neighbors may be few and far between, and even farther if they are rarely there.
Twitter/Alpha
Our palates are quite refined.
Flickr/ Barb and Dean
Vermont consistently ranks in the USA’s top states with the highest high school graduation rates.
Flickr/BostonTx
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!
Flickr/U.S. Department of Agriculture
We love farm to table meals, organic farms and homegrown anything! Practically everyone maintains some kind of garden.
Flickr/kuuipo1207
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.
Flickr/Colby
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.
Fkickr/QUOI Media Group
It really is that good on just about everything.
Flickr/Allard Schager
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.
Flickr/Matthew H
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.
Flickr/Paul Moody
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.
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