Those of you from VT

Those are good prices , especially the 50 acre one.
I would be wary of living on a snowmobile trail though, unless you dont mind people USING the trail through your land, and believe me, Vermonters love their snowmobiles :haha:

The one near Canada is very pretty, but be aware, if you are looking to live in the mountains, the further north in Vermont you go, the flatter it gets. Northern Vermont is very beautiful and I prefer it to the more mountainous southern area. However, the wind blows a LOT there, if you dont like that that is something to take into consideration. Also the growing season is short, and the winters are long. I dont know the actual areas posted, but I do know northern Vermont and I would live there in a second.

 

I spent 16 years in Mooers NY, just across Lake Champlain from the northernmost part of VT. In that part of the country a "camp" often does not have road access, that snowmobile trail may be the only way in. Also, a lot of "camps" aren't insulated for winter. The wind chill drops the temps real low in the winter. Every Feb. we seemed to have 2 weeks of uninterrupted cold when the temp hovered between -15 and -40 with wind chill. Then spring with blackflies and Vt roads turn to solid mud. I would try living in the area year round before buying, just to be sure it's what you like.

 

Noted that no electric to home. Probably can not get power there. sounds like a real homestead.

 

Hi,my wife and I are also interested in possibly moving to Vermont someday.From what I've read the property prices are high and the jobs are a little hard to come by,is this true?I have read that while land is less expensive in the Northeast Kingdom,jobs are even harder to find.Job wise,are some skills more in demand than others?Any suggestions?Thankyou,BASIC.

 

For solar, remember that there aren't a lot of sunny days in that part of the country. While you are looking up there, check out Clinton county N.Y. The land price is much lower than Vt. (not as trendy) there are a lot of small dairy farms available that have gone out of business, also wooded land, and the roads are paved.

 

I have owned a weekend log cabin in Albany, VT for ten years. Albany is very close to Lowel. This part of Vermont is known as the Northeast Kingdom and I think the name fits very well. It is the most scenic part of New England in my opinion. Here are the main things to consider if you are thinking about living there; 1) highest unemployent rate in the state - 7%+, 2) very short growing season (I estimate 1 month shorter than where I live in upsate NY), 3) lots of snow, -30 F is not unusual, 4)high property taxes, 5) closest airport is in Burlington 90 minute drive, 6)too many ATV's. On the positive side; 1) land is still fairly reasonable but rising rapidly, 2) very high environmental quality, 3) lots of dirt roads and small farms.

A note of interest - there is a major wind turbine project proposed for the Lowel mountains.

 

What gun laws are you talking about?

 

Kind of surprised me too, since all my hunter friends seemed to have more guns than they knew what to do with. I guess it's because you need a permit to own or carry a handgun?

 

VAST cannot come on your property unless you let them. You tell them where they can ride or if they can ride for the coming year. If you do not want them to then that is fine. Lake Memphramagog is a beautiful lake. When you are coming into Newport you have to come down a long steep hill. Pretty area, friendly people. Has been depressed in the past but seems to be making a comeback. You have fairly good access from Newport to Jay Peak Ski Resort and a stunning view of Canada from many spots. Land is cheaper there than here in Franklin County. Jobs are what you make them.

In Vermont we have strange seasons... Snow, Mud, gardening, Leaf Peepers season. That about cuts it. I would not live anywhere else. If you are a determined individual and aren't afraid of some challenges (mud ruts or ice storms or tourists) then it really is beautiful. We live in Georgia which is in the opposite corner of the State but still in the Northern sections.

 

The only way to be sure of the zoning is to contact the town that the place is in and get the zoning. As a pre-check on all the listings it has a spot that says zoning AR1 = agricultural com = commercial etc. Check with the town to avoid the heartbreak of falling in love with someplace and then finding it is not possible to build or have animals etc. This is a good way to get the scoop on the place too. Ask the planning or zoning boards if there have been perks done or attempted on that land, is there problems with power or are wells in the area contaminated.

One huge factor in VT now is if you buy a place with an underground tank (oil) the insurance companies in the state will not cover you. We have been running ragged putting in above ground tanks this spring.

Laurie

 

I'm a Vermont farmer/homesteader. I've only been here 25 years, so I'm not a REAL Vermonter. My partner is 7th generation VT'er on one side and 8th generation on the other. I am somewhat redeemed by being with him the last 18 years ;-)

This seems like a good place to mention How Not to Become a Homesteader. I wrote it a few years ago.....

http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/HowNotToBecomeAHomesteader.html

There is a huge difference in zoning from town to town. Our town has some zoning, the next one over has none.

My daughter built a nice little house for about $5000. Our underground house cost around $10,000. We have a sawdust toilet, my daughter has an incinerating toilet. Lots of links and pics on our website.

Wendy
Peace and Carrots Farm
Maple Corner, Vermont
http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/