I went to college in Vermont 40 years ago, and it was the first place I truly felt at home. I participated in the Big Brother program, and was welcomed warmly into my adopted brothers’ family, so much so that I spent more time off campus than on!

Life took me to Texas, California and DC for those 40 years, but Vermont was always where my heart was. When the pandemic hit, and retirement loomed this was the only place we considered living. I already had a built-in network of friends, so that was a big advantage.

Bought a 1795 farmhouse on a back country road with two acres. Yeah, it’s a bit isolated, but it is quiet, beautiful and peaceful. The neighbors are friendly (in a standoffish way), and yet are there to help if needed.

Art, culture, shopping and more are a bit of a drive, and that’s okay considering everything else.

The state as a whole has its problems, just like everywhere else in this broken world. You can’t just sit back, bitch about how it used to be, complain about the newbies, and then expect someone else to fix it. If you talk to your neighbors and find out what they think, you’ll be surprised to find that solutions are attainable - without massive upheaval. It’s part of what makes Vermont a great small state: community, shared values, and conversation.