Before You Buy the Subaru... Here's What Actually Surprised Me About Moving to Vermont

I spent every summer in Vermont as a kid. My grandparents lived here in the kind of place that felt straight out of a storybook—a pond, quiet roads, fresh air, and the kind of summers that make you think you've discovered paradise.

Years later, I moved here for real.

And here's the funny thing: even after a lifetime of visiting, there were still so many things I never saw coming.

Some were wonderful.

Some were inconvenient.

A few were both.

So if you're dreaming about moving to Vermont (or you're already scrolling Zillow with one foot out the door), here's the version I wish someone had handed me.

Not the postcard.

The real one.

1. You'll Stop Complaining About Traffic. Almost Immediately.

People who live here still complain about traffic.

They're adorable.

Coming from South Florida, I quickly realized that "traffic" in Vermont often means sitting through one extra light in South Burlington or getting behind someone driving 12 mph under the speed limit on a country road.

Will you occasionally get stuck behind a tractor? Sure.

A line of tourists admiring the foliage? Absolutely.

But compared to most metropolitan areas, Vermont traffic is refreshingly...not really traffic.

2. Your Insurance Might Surprise You (In a Good Way)

One of my biggest pleasant surprises?

My car insurance and homeowners insurance both dropped when I moved here! Significantly!

Now, your situation will absolutely depend on where you're moving from, your driving history, and your home, but coming from Florida, this felt like an unexpected little welcome gift.

Nobody had mentioned it.

Maybe they should.

3. You Need a Car Inspection Every. Single. Year.

If you've never lived in a state with annual inspections, this one catches a lot of people off guard.

Every year, your vehicle needs to pass a state inspection.

Usually it's no big deal.

Occasionally it's your mechanic politely informing you that Vermont winters have once again won the battle against your suspension.

Welcome to road salt.

4. Internet Isn't Automatic.

This one matters more than people realize.

There are absolutely places in Vermont with fantastic internet.

There are also beautiful homes where you might discover your internet options are...less exciting.

If you work remotely, homeschool, stream everything, or simply enjoy Wi-Fi that functions reliably, this should be something you investigate before you fall in love with a house.

The mountain view won't make your Zoom meeting less awkward.

5. Everyone Is Nice...and They Actually Mean It.

This was one of my favorite surprises.

People wave.

Neighbors help.

Someone might stop to see if you're okay if your car is pulled over.

It's not that everyone becomes your best friend overnight.

It's just that Vermont still feels like a place where people generally assume the best about each other.

I didn't realize how much I'd appreciate that until I lived here.

6. Dinner Requires...Planning.

If you're coming from a larger city, this one can feel like culture shock.

Outside of places like Burlington and a few other hubs, restaurants often wrap things up surprisingly early.

It's not unusual to discover at 8:30 p.m. that your dining options have narrowed considerably.

Hope you like gas station Subway.

7. The Food Is Really Good.

Ironically...

Despite the early closing times...

The food scene punches way above its weight.

You'll find fantastic bakeries, excellent breweries, creative chefs, and restaurants that genuinely care about where their ingredients come from.

That said...

It's easy to get a little farm-to-table'd out. Cities like Burlington are starting to get more diverse and interesting restaurants, but this is where the travel may come in..

8. "How Far Is the Hospital?" Is Suddenly a Real Estate Question.

In Florida, I honestly didn't think much about this.

In Vermont?

It's one of the first conversations I have with relocation buyers.

Not because healthcare is hard to find—but because driving 20 minutes in July isn't necessarily the same experience as driving 20 minutes during a snowstorm.

The same goes for schools, grocery stores, hardware stores, and even your favorite coffee shop.

Distance looks different here.

9. Winter Maintenance Depends on Where You Live.

One thing Vermont does incredibly well is maintaining roads—especially in Chittenden County.

Major roads are often plowed before many people even wake up.

But if you're buying a home farther out, it's worth asking a few questions.

Is the road publicly maintained?

Privately maintained?

How quickly is it plowed after a storm?

Because "rural Vermont" can mean a very different winter experience than "suburban Vermont."

Neither is wrong.

It's just something you'll want to understand before the first big snowfall.

10. We Have One Target. In the whole state. And it's tiny.

Just chew on that for a minute...and adjust your expectations.

So...Would I Move Here Again?

Without hesitation.

Vermont isn't perfect.

Neither is anywhere else.

But if you're looking for cleaner air, friendlier people, a slower pace, and a place where your weekends naturally involve getting outside instead of sitting in traffic, it's been an incredible place to build a life.

You'll trade some conveniences for a lot of quality of life.

For me, it's been undeniably worth it!

Thinking about making the move? I grew up visiting Vermont, eventually made the leap myself, and now I help other people figure out whether it's the right fit for them. If you have questions that didn't make this list, reach out. I'm always happy to give you the honest version.