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Why not ask her?

Either the friend is racist or implying that there are racists in Vt. Both are probably true. I'm white, so can't attest to much, the racism I've seen here is well-meaning white people being racist. I'm sure there are horror stories of much worse (and there are plenty of news articles confirming the more overt racism, see Kiah Morris for example).

Vermont is a very white state. Once outside the greater Burlington area, racial diversity nosedives. If you are people of color, consider whether you'd want to be one of the few families of color in whatever Vermont town you choose. Most folks would welcome you with open arms (though slowly, as they do with everyone), but they're might be a few that really suck.

homie nobody here has any idea what a nurse that works with your wife meant when they said VT has a "certain type of people". If you don't know, and you know your wife, how tf would we ever be able to figure that out lol

If you're thinking of moving here, just visit for a bit.

I'll say this; VT has some of the most divergent levels of seasonal beauty out of anywhere I've been. So, come here when it's crappy out (March, November) and see if it speaks to you.

My relative from Texas has told me that Vermont is overflowing with coastal elites, libtards, and socialists. Maybe that? Without knowing more about you and where you're coming from, it's hard to say.

Since it’s just an opinion, I think she meant outdoorsy types with dogs who refuse to follow leash laws. You know the ones, they don’t keep their dogs on a leash and when they run around and jump up on strangers they say “ohhh he is friendly.” And then you need to say, that is awesome, but my 4 year old is still wicked allergic and now I’m going to need to undress before I go into the house and spend an hour vacuuming out the car so he doesn’t get hives next time he is in it.

Yeah, probably that.

Also, could be Republicans, Democrats, minorities, or white people depending on her politics and how racists she is.

If by overflowing you mean like 2% socialist instead of .2% then maybe.

Could be anything. The only one that would be true is racism. Vermont is the whitest state, and while everyone likes to gloss over it, it’s fairly racist. Burlington, montepelier or a wealthy town will be very different than most of Vermont though.

*I* don't know *any* socialists. But I do identify as a coastal elite.

Do you know the political affiliation of your wife's coworker? Because I've found that some conservative people think that Vermont is the home of Fully Automated Luxury Gay Socialism where we happily murder newborn babies in retroactive abortion while we dance naked around a bonfire.

This is what I'm guessing -- I've met a fair few conservatives who think that Vermont is a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah.

Apparently she didn't clarify and this isn't someone she's ever worked with. It's possible she was a traveling nurse

I could understand that, but what I don't understand is that we're currently in South Dakota, which I would dare say has a bigger reputation for such. Racist white people roam the prarie more often than buffalo out here.

For clarification, I am white but my wife is Hispanic.

We plan on it and this comment makes no bearing on my decision to do so. Just thought it was funny and figured I'd ask.

That's a good point, though comparative to SD, we'd still probably find it beautiful. I hear you have trees.

Spent 3 years in Vermont....I learned it was NOT for me. Not enough diversity, too progressive liberal (Bernie Sander's back yard). Not enough shopping, you have to travel everywhere, winter is too long. Housing shortage, jobs are conflicting (unless you are college graduate and get lucky enough to score the 6 digit income to afford the cost of living).

But, the most evident thing about Vermont and it's people?Change for better is Not an option. Ignorance is not bliss, they have no clue what goes on outside of the state borders.

Guess what? Each state has their own sense of beauty.

I was thinking this was the most likely. We're in SD and that sounds exactly like the colorful local language that would be used, which is similarly why we want to move there.

Sounds right up my alley. Also, it is likely to be a political statement.

That very well may affect where we chose to go, good info to have. What I've found after most of my travels is that unfortunately, that's pretty common in most of the country when looking at rural/suburban/urban types of areas.

Not naked. Never naked, that would be too exploitative.

Based solely on the state we're currently in, South Dakota, I'd say this is the most likely cause for the comment. We do get a free gun with purchase of a small coffee though.

Vermont is known as a liberal-leaning state. That may be what this friend of your wife’s was referring to. That you, as a right leaning person, might be uncomfortable among liberals.

Vermont and New England and the East Coast also have a reputation for being unfriendly. Stereotypes. You are talking incorrect, unfavorable stereotypes.

Very true, and every person too. Were not heart set on it but it's definitely a contender for what we're looking for.

Vermont racism is a weird kind of racism. I’ll fully admit I grew up saying shit that I look back on now with disgust. But it’s a racism of nothing but pure ignorance. I feel like other places that are a little more diverse have racism from hate, VT racism is more like I’ve never seen a black person in my life and everyone around me says the same shit. I was in my teens before I even saw a black person. In my twenties I ended up working on the road as the only white guy on my crew and that was one of the best experiences I could have had to open my eyes.

Yup. If you love shopping, Vermont is not for you. Kind of obvious, no?

Maybe this person is MAGA-QAnon?

We do! And for half of the year they even have leaves on them.

I’m thinking Vermont is a strange mix of people who live here because they want to live somewhere without diversity (racists) and liberal-democrat-antiracists.

You will fit in perfectly. Please, come ahead.

Yup; I think it's nice in its own way - lots of people hate it though

I wouldn't give too much thought to it, especially since she's got no skin in the game.

Vermont has a whole bunch of whatever you're looking for except for cities and billboards. You do you, be a good person and do whatever your heart pleases

Astounding

Vermonter are often judgmental and dismissive.

Black and white thinking is very common here.

Many folks wear their politics on their sleeve or on a sign in their front yard.

If you’re okay with that, you will be fine.

What makes you think liberal-democrats aren’t racist? Have you been to Jericho???

Vermont has all types of people from all walks of life, theres hippies and crunchies and farmers and rednecks and backwoods hics and doctors lawyers flatlanders and liberals and conservatives. Just dont impose your views on Vermonters and people do what they want and enjoy a peaceful quite life

And don't forget traffic. Except for Burlington and Stowe (when it actually snows), there is little to no traffic.

I’m a libtard, myself

I’ll let you know. People who grew up here in poverty and are now raising a family here do not fit in with the 40 something’s who moved here from the city to raise their privileged children away from crime and the rat race. We all coexist. However, we do not all mesh and often do not appreciate one another. We are a wide variety of folks from many walks of life. You may see a single wide on a tiny plot near a dairy farm not too far from a glorious home that owns half the mountainside and the couple who owns it pulls over half a mil annually. Basically, the actual people from here, are not the people who step into roles that represent the state on various municipal boards and sub committees in Montpelier… etc. and we do have a lot of smaller SM influencers making money in various ways digitally.

We have a home in Vermont...we are proud GODDAMNED FLATLANDERS...Vermont is a fascinating place. An extremely liberal place, with a fundamental dedication to the Constitution's 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. A truly interesting dichotomy.

From our experience, the people that live in Vermont are wonderful. Some of the folks I know don't LOVE outsiders. And as underpopulated as Vermont is, it's one of the most LIVE AND LET LIVE AND MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS places I've ever been.

I'm reminded of the song IOWA STUBBORN from THE MUSIC MAN. Definitely applies to our Vermont family!

We can be cold
As our falling thermometers in December
If you ask about our weather in July.
And we're so by God stubborn
We could stand touchin' noses
For a week at a time
And never see eye-to-eye.
But what the heck, you're welcome,
Join us at the picnic.
You can eat your fill
Of all the food you bring yourself.

What did she mean? Coming from SD, probably "dirty liberal hippies."

She is, however, grossly misinformed. We've got plenty of clean hippies too!

This ^. The folks running the towns, cities, and state are not from VT and seem to be mostly ladder climbers and virtue signalers. Shit, our congressional delegation isn't even from here.

She might also be referring to the fact that even though we are known as a "liberal-leaning" state, that that's not entirely true. It's easy to hide all the racism and homophobia when you live in one of the least diverse states. Either way, Traditional_Lab had it right. Without knowing them or the nurse, we have no way of knowing what she meant.

They’re missing the fact that Vermont possesses a heady dose of libertarianism hence the lack of gun laws

One of my favorite things about Vermont is actually that people who love shopping live elsewhere.

Well, I guess the secret is out now. Read "The Lottery" by Vermont author Shirley Jackson. That's how people here build and keep our sense of community. It's not for everyone, but it works for us.

VT is an amazing and wonderful place, but despite it's reputation as a liberal utopia, it is anything but. There is an extreme amount of racism, homophobia, and ignorance in general in this state. You will also find the same ineffectual politics you find everywhere. We get a lot right, but you will be left scratching your head quite a bit as well.

That all said, VT is also a place where more folks feel more comfortable speaking up against those things than in other places I've lived (I'm from VT but have lived all over the country including a number of major cities). I spend a lot of time in CT, MA, and NY and you see way more homes and businesses in VT flying pride flags or BLM flags than our neighbors these days.

VT gets away with maintaining it's reputation simply because there is a serious lack of diversity here. I can't find it now, but I read a great article in the last year or two that I thought was titled "Vermont Lies." If you can track that down it has some good outside perspective on VT society from a woman of color that moved here and had to leave. I believe that same article shared the story of an Asian woman who grew up here but chose to leave as an adult because she doesn't want her kids being exposed to the racism she experienced here. There is also a great little PBS doc called I'm From Here that looks at the issue of race through the lens of kids in VT.

Like I said, VT is a great place, but I recommend doing a lot of research and at least one visit to drive around the state a bit. Your experience of VT can be wildly different even from one small town to another. You kind of have to find a spot that jives with you and your family.

Your assessment is spot on, but please recognize this is the case everywhere, not just VT. The poor and working class don't really have actual representation in any of our state governments. Which means it is all working as intended.

Please read MLK's Letter From Birmingham Jail again.

Over 50% of Vermont politicaians are from out of state.

Right.

i laughed so hard at your first sentence. IKR

The Vermont is so liberal myth always gets me. You'll see 5-10 of those reactionary 'Trump Rules' 'Let's go Brandon' and even the fucking "Hooray racism and slavery!" so-called confederate flag hanging from big trucks and on people's lawns for every half hour you drive around. At least that's true around Rutland.

Vermont is dope, but good luck finding anywhere to live without spending lots of money or making sacrifices or both. Commutes can be super long, tourists suck balls, nothing is cheap, few amenities….yet it is still a cool place to live, especially if you like outdoorsy stuff.

This!

Another of my favorite things about Vermont is that people who don’t enjoy outdoor sport (and those who don’t recognize the beauty of the Norman Rockwell like way of life compared to subdivision/strip mall/billboard/traffic states) choose to live elsewhere.

Dude honestly the liberal-democrat-antiracists as you describe them are probably the worst kind of racism. They have this weird savior complex where somehow they think they have all the answers for the groups of people that are “beneath” them. I’ll take some ignorant white kid who says some stupid shit but has the capacity to grow over a woke antiracist douchebag with a seniority complex any day. I’ll admit I’m pretty jaded after living on Martha’s Vineyard for 6 years though. Haha

If by "certain type" she meant "awesome", I generally agree

Yes you are correct, annonymous stranger on the internet. I don't expect anyone to know what exactly she meant by saying that, I'm more interested in hearing the perspective of the people that live/have lived there. Chances are it was related to some political notion, considering I'm currently in a very openly conservative community.

Its hard not to be healthy and in shape here unless you live in one of the (what vermonters call) cities. Or have medical issues preventing it. I love how active everyone is, reminds me of Colorado.

Right.

How did you find out about my Saturday night plans?

For the record the "friendly" dog assaults are not limited to VT (reporting from suburban MA). I once had a woman call my children "assholes" after her dog knocked one kid over (resulting in a laceration due to getting a stick in the face upon landing). Plus, many, many other slightly less insane encounters in the woods!

I don’t know if I qualify as any of those things but I am an idiot

>nothing is cheap

I know there are real cost of living issues in VT, but as a Masshole who buys goods and services in both VT and metro Boston... I see VT as a low-price paradise in comparison.

I’m speaking specifically to housing and rent. Goods and services are probably average. Some places are cheaper than others, especially when compared to cities.

Yes. I believe there is only one renter in the entire legislature, and about 1/3 of legislators are landlords. We in this sub squabble about people from the other side of an imaginary line while the rich eat our lunch, as usual.

It’s the American dream.

As long as you disrobe at home before going out, it's fine

I hear this all the time and I find it to be curious. Just because we are a white state doesn't mean that it makes us a racist state. Correlation does not equal causation.

People in Vermont are slow to warm to newcomers. Doesn't matter who, what, why, where or when. That's just the way it is with most folks here.

Want to be part of the community?

• Show up to local school basketball games, attend town meetings, make friends with your nearest librarian.
• Always be willing to lend a hand and to keep your opinion to yourself unless you really need to share. Ask yourself; Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said by me? Does it need to be said by me right now?

Hope you find Vermont to be the wonderful place it can be for you and your SO.

No - we do naked. But you must leave the house naked and not disrobe in public.

Yes exactly “all working as intended” 🫡

Exactly, that’s it. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Sure is. Cultivating purpose through power and influence.

I was born in Vermont, lived all around the US working for the IS Forest Service, and am now back home in the state I love. Vermont is unique. We have a small population that is based on citizen democratic participation. We have annual town meeting days, where, depending on where you live, everything closes down and we decide on budget and other community items. Many of us are outdoor enthusiasts. We like our privacy, but are good neighbors, in general. We DO lack racial diversity, and racism is here, but no more than in any other place I have lived. About 30 % of voters voted for Trump. 70% vote Democratic/ Progressive. I’m an out gay progressive, but my Trump flag flying neighbor and I are cordial to one another. I’ve lived in Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, New Mexico, Montana, California, Oregon, Washington and New York. Vermont is 100% the best state I have ever been in. The sense of community here is amazing. We are a long way from perfect. But you can definitely find your true home here. I hope you make the leap.

came here to say this LOL

There are certain types of people here, that's for sure.

I see BLM and Pride flags all over New England and NYC. (Well, I’m not in Maine or NH much, so idk about up there.) Tbh, the less diverse an area is, the more you see those flags IME. In NYC, i see them in gentrifying neighborhoods that are changing from white working class to middle/ upper class. In my urban, actually diverse city in CT, you see them, but not nearly like you do in say, rural / small town western Mass. I think the perception of more BLM or Pride flags can give one a false sense of security. I’m not trying to be a “flatliner” jerk, but OP says his wife is Hispanic, so I think it’s a point I’m willing to get downvoted for.

You, lol, you’re the type of people op’s wife’s coworker is talking about. And also the reason I love Vermonters

No no, you make a great and important point. Don’t tell anyone in this sub, but I actually split my time between VT and CT. I have an apartment in a smaller town near New Haven. I rarely, almost never see pride or BLM stuff down there. Pride more, but still not much. Then you hit a small rural town up here and it can seem like every other house has something on display. It is only comforting for me because I’m very aware of the reality underneath that welcoming veneer. I do also see far more Trump flags and stuff in VT. Hell, there’s one house along route 4 by Killington flying a confederate flag. Imagine being a Vermonter and flying that shit… believe me, I’m very aware what the message under the “real Vermonter” dog whistle discourse is about. I’m from there and they’ve been telling me I’m not a real Vermonter my entire life 🤷‍♂️ so, please know my prior message was not intended to suggest safety, but the presence of community within an often ignorant and hateful society.

I'm pretty sure every state has "a certain type of people".

My neighbors are all armed. No one voted for Trump.

You had to be that one fucking guy didn’t you.

This comment makes me very optimistic. I see a lot of people say that there is racism, which while unfortunate is not something I'm unaccustomed to. It's a sad fact that you find it in some shape or form in most places you go.

Nice, that's what I'd assumed but I've always wondered

Shit I’ve been doing it wrong, I normally have clothes on at the fire, no wonder everyone looks at me funny.

[deleted]

I’m a certain type of person and I’m from Vermont. I agree with the wife’s friend, we are to be avoided.

Not sure if they meant the crunchie Vermonters, the racist Vermonters, the crunchie racist Vermonters, the woodchucks, the Phish fans (overlap with the crunchies), the wealthy entitled weekend skiers who come up from CT MA NY to complain that there is no help at the ski lodge

I didn't say I was confused.

Oh I am a moron and replied to the wrong comment haha

It happens!

What’s the confusion on liberals with guns? You know who was fucking liberal? The founding fathers. We just uphold the traditions of the founders, a constant push for progress, and equality (the founders were a little loose on that one).

Plus we need our guns for when we have our bolshevik revolution and forcibly take all the second and third homes so that our citizens have housing instead of having homeless people freezing while wasted places sitting empty so the rich can visit and look at the funny locals like we are savages seeing civilized people for the first time.

Beautifully said

IDK, like some people in the hills are rednecks, but pretty much everyone else is chill. I think it depends how populated the area your looking at is. Y'all should be fine tho, and if you do move here make sure you have good heating and snow tires before you need them.

I'll tell you what, we're the type of people who aren't going to be too upset if people from South Dakota don't like us.

Sounds like my kinda place

I think that's also true of Vermont residents tho

Great summary of life in Vermont!

True but he's comparing VT to South Dakota, so... 🤣

I think the only thing cheaper in MA than VT is legal weed at dispensaries lol

Welcome to Vermont! Literally tho, I told someone in California that most of Vermont fits your statement and their head almost exploded

For once I will be the xenophobe on this sub. We have enough passive aggressive people here who would rather make a Reddit post to strangers than ask a followup question to their fucking coworker

Thanks!

If you have to say certain types of people in quotations then just stay where you are we don't want you. We have enough of "your type" of people already.

Yes, it is.

That sounds fantastic, sign me up

Vermont has all types of *white people*, and the dominant type here is old and rich. Vermont does not have all types of people from all walks of life. We are far too exclusive for that.

Unless black people move here and instantly become invisible (as I'm sure any black people not living in Chittenden County would like to be), we definitely do not have all types of people here. At all.

I just want to say how tragically underappreciated this reply is.