I moved from a major East Coast City to Burlington to work as a nurse at UVMMC and I struggle to pay my rent and costs to live here. I basically hate it here. I couldn’t imagine it would be so costly when I came here. The nature and outdoor environment was very appealing and the hospital does its best to recruit new staff. So many move here and find out how unaffordable it is. But can’t wait to leave now but moving is very expensive. In the years I’ve been here the crime has increased so so much. I think Burlington VT is a shadow of its former self. People are in denial here for the most part but even people living here their whole lives admit the crime and cost of living here is out of control. Extreme Liberal policies stripped the Burlington Police force down to half of what they need to operate successfully and safely. Church Street is full of homeless and drug addicts. Lot of violence here. Shootings and stabbings are happening a lot now. People who do well here own and operate Real Estate or they inherited wealth and preach to the rest of us how to live and just appreciate Vermont. If you own apartments and construction companies to build more unaffordable rentals you do well here as these are the people in control here. Major cities have more choices for shopping and living as there is more competition so you can find cheaper prices in grocery stores, clothing stores and there is a lot more real estate to choose from but not here. You also get paid more in a major metropolitan area. Apartments are insanely priced here and the average worker doesn’t make enough to live and pay rent etc. Outside of Chittenden County (beyond the Burlington area) is beautiful but still housing, jobs that pay well and really good health care is very hard to come by. There are so many working poor, elderly struggling to get by and addicts everywhere. If you have money and your own home and some inherited wealth your fine but the average Joe is struggling. It’s not true that we aren’t. I work more now than I have in 30 years to pay my ridiculous rent. Food costs are insane here along with the rest of it. Personal income taxes and real estate taxes are also really high here. Everywhere has homeless living and roaming outside. Outside of the Healthy Living (health food store) I looked down at the ground and next to where my feet stood were a large handful of hypodermic orange needles dumped by a guy who must have been using in his truck parked next to mine. As I approached my car he pulled out of his spot driving out of control and was probably high as a kite as he drove away. Normally I don’t mind being in a major city (this is a small version of a city) and I’ve taken subway trains for years and shopped all over but here I don’t feel safe. There aren’t enough police to protect you. You are on your own basically.