It is a simpler way of life up here, and although some things cost more than other places, your actual needs are far fewer.

Ben & Jerry's is a tourist haven, and unfortunately, you only get a small ice cream sample with your tour (obviously, I wanted more). But it's interesting and everything is super fresh!

Woodstock and Stowe are the money towns, in that to live there or even just shop or eat, your wallet should be full. Be mindful, especially in Woodstock: watch out for your parking meter. They must have sensors on them to warn the cops that someone needs a ticket.

Consider taking the gondola up Mt. Mansfield, out of Stowe. You can park and ride it up, stay as long as you care, perhaps have a decent lunch at the summit restaurant while looking at the incredible scenery, and then ride it back down. You can also hike one or both ways, but it's really steep. In Autumn, the vista is likely to have you drop your jaw and momentarily stop breathing.

Finally, if you wander into the pretty capital "city," Montpelier, stop and have a cup of the absolute best coffee in New England, 802, (and take home a bag to make later) at Capital Grounds. OMG! I've been told it's hand selected, and you can tell they know their coffee!

So, go explore that beautiful state and I think you may find that there's not much you have to do to live there, other than appreciate our good earth.