[Brrrmont]

I am really torn here...I can't take LI anymore....the density of the population and the expense are so high. I currently make 100K (not teaching - software developer) a year and I still cannot buy a house down here, unless of course I buy in a not so great neighborhood. And as a bonus for buying in that type of neighborhood you get crime and drugs.

Some of you complain that taxes are high in Vermont; come down here and you will think Vermont is a bargain. Average tax down here is $9,000-$12,000 for a regular cape or colonial on a 1/3 of an acre. A house on an acre and now your up to 15k. I personally know someone who pays $30k a year in property tax. He has a 4000 sq ft colonial on 2.5 acres.

Gas averages about .25 cents higher per gallon than Vermont. Food is expensive. Nothing is inexpensive down here. Plus you get ozone alert days just about every humid day in the summer.

You have to plan your life around traffic. Don't attempt to take a major road after 3PM or between 8-10AM.

My fear is moving to Vermont and being in the same financial situation minus the traffic, pollution, and crowds.

I used to teach high school math but I couldn't afford to make it on the salary being a single Dad. I would like to return to teaching but not here on LI.

Oh yea...don't forget about car insurance....one of the highest rates in the country.

What to do....

[vter]

Sure, VT may seem like a bargain, but when you actually come here and see that salaries are a lot lower, that makes housing high for LOTS of folks here.
I doubt you are going to find a software developer job up here with a salary of 100K.

[seanpecor]

A $100K software development base salary in VT is essentially the top 1% of the top tier of senior software development positions.

Property tax burdens for higher income folks in Vermont are comparable with New Jersey burdens presuming you live in those areas where folks with higher incomes tend to gravitate toward (Burlington, Middlebury, Warren, Stowe, etc). And if NJ property tax burdens are indeed higher, any advantage enjoyed by VT in that respect is likely eaten up by the extra cost in VT for heating and other living expenses.

There are other tax related factors also. Vermonters making $75K or more in gross taxable income are in a 2% higher state tax bracket than in New Jersey.

Ultimately I think NJ and VT have similar costs of living when all expenses are considered. At that point which state to live in becomes a subjective decision based on one's particular ideals.

Sean

[mustmove]

LI is in Jersey now? OK by me.

[mustmove]

The point is valid- metro NY and VT have a similar cost of living.

[seanpecor]

Sorry about that! I'll wait until my coffee and ritalin kick in next time

Sean

[Vt Newbie]

As a tranplant from New Jersey (we have been here 9 months) and making the same salary, we have felt no difference in our economic situation (col). It may be to early to tell but I would say the col between NJ and VT is very similar.

[68vette]

I came from the NY metro area and I would say that the COL is about the same and possibly a little more expensive this year. The reason for the possible higher expense this year is due to the longer heating season we have in Vermont.

[bobjsim]

I lived in Northern VT several years ago, and I agree with most posters on this thread. It has typical high Northeast COL expenses, winters are long and cold. But with your skill set/salary, you would do well in the greater Burlington area. Everything you need is right there, and 20-30 minutes away is the rural life that everyone dreams about. And you can get your city fix by driving to Montreal, an hour-and-a-half away.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by bobjsim

And you can get your city fix by driving to Montreal, an hour-and-a-half away.

To me, this is absolutely huge. I've been travelling less, but I have to get back to my favorite Portugese ristos fast.