Richmond, VA or Montpelier, VT? About This Page:

[maryssasmom]

My dbf has been laid of for about 2 months and we live in CT where my family and his family is. It has been difficult even getting interviews.

He had a phone interview in Richmond, VA thursday that went well and next friday has a in person interview in Montpelier, VT.

I do not know anything about either of these places or which is better school wise - surrounding towns, etc to live in.

I would prefer VA as it is closer to Disney. but we have to see how each goes. That also pays more and they would give me preference in giving me a job as well.

Can anyone shed some light on the pros and cons of each?? As well what is a good area in each to live and send my daughter to school? I may add I hate the snow. Lord only knows why I currently live in CT.



Any help is much appreciated.



p.s. even pixie dust for a CT job would be nice as I would like to stay here......

Thank you!

[CRCrazy]

From the sounds of it - you probably would like Richmond MUCH better than Montpelier!!

Montpelier isn't too far away from where I live in the White Mountains of NH - about an hour away. If you don't like snow - DONT move here! Montpelier, even though it is the capitol of VT, is really a pretty small town. There are some good schools around there, and it is a nice quiet place to raise kids.

Here's some pixie dust that you and DH find something you are both happy with!

One other little aside - prices for housing in Montpelier are probably lower than in Richmond. I don't know the Richmond area well - but further north in VA, the housing prices are pretty high.

[Colexis Mom]

I second Marie and if you don't like snow, don't head to VT! If you think it's bad here in CT, you don't want to go up there. Don't know a thing about Richmond, but sounds like it may be the better choice for you guys (weather and job wise)

[maryssasmom]

thank you both! I am leaning towards Richmond but I guess it al figures on if he gets any of those jobs in those states. He loves the snow and I am just the opposite, maybe I am just tired of it after living in CT all of my life. I guess we have to see if he get either job and then take it from there.

Thanks again!!

[buckysmom]

Richmond is a capitol city as well, and has some very nice suburbs (or at least they were a few years ago) in Henrico and Chesterfield Counties. It is about an hour from Williamsburg, a LOVELY town and 2 hours from VA Beach. It is right on the Interstate so you can quickly get to DC in a couple of hours (or less, depending on the gridlock).
The church where Patrick Henry made his famous "give me liberty speech" is there, as well as a Civil War museum for any history buffs!
Weather is definitely divided into 4 seasons, and it does snow a bit (and Southerners like me CANNOT drive in icy/snowy weather, so warning!).
It does have some very rough areas, and the crime rate is also a consideration-definitely higher than in Montpeiler.
That said, like most of us, you'd stay away from the scary side of town
I think it's a nice area, but then, I lived in VA for about 10 years, so I prefer the Old Dominion!
Good luck to your DH on his interviews!

[joyjoy]

That sounds like good advice you're getting. I have an OT question for all you New Englanders. I heard or read that Montpelier is the only state capitol that does not have a McDonalds. Is this an urban legend or is it really true? I checked snopes and found nothing.

[RobinKay6573]

I grew up in Burlington, Vermont, which is about an hour Northwest of Montpelier.

Vermont a wonderful state to live in but Vermonters (including myself) are very free thinkers and really think outside the box on alot of things. Vermonters tend to be very opinionated as well (this is true for many New Englanders...especially Bostonians!).

Montpelier is nice but like someone said it is a very small town (and yes it is the only state capital that doesn't have a McDonalds...because it is in Barre which is just up the street). If you are into hiking, skiing and other outdoor sports Vermont is perfect! I did alot of skiing when I was younger and really miss it living in FLAT Michigan (they do have skiing here but HA HA HA...I don't think so!). Every season in Vermont is picture perfect especially fall! Burlington is the largest city in Vermont(about 40,000). Many people commute from Burlington or the Burlington area to Montpelier. Land is expensive and the vacancy rate for housing is VERY low. The environmental rules in Vermont are alot stricter then any other state.

I would move back to Vermont in a minute but sadly there are few job openings in my field.

[AmyJune]

I live about 45 minutes above Richmond. The area is growing. Living in the city is not great unles you can afford to live in "The Fan" but it does have some nice suburbs. With the intersections of 64 and 95 at the city it gives you alot of living options if you're willing to commute.
Here are some websites for you:
City of Richmond site
Richmond Times Dispatch (newspaper)