Bennington is all about location, location, location. To the immediate west is the New York state line, to the south is Massachusetts, to the north is Burlington and then Quebec. It rests at an intersection of the northeastern corridor, an access point through which you can reach the rest of New England, New York, and even Canada, making it ideal for those who do business on the road. It is also home to Bennington College, one of the most storied and prestigious liberal arts institutes in the country, with varied alumni including author Bret Easton Ellis and actor Peter Dinklage, as well as the Bennington Battle Monument, commemorating a turning point in Green Mountain campaign of the Revolutionary War. Its historic district is excellent albeit it has suffered along with other New England towns during the collapse of the textile industry, its live theater and arts scenes are excellent, and the beautiful landscape brings in tourists en masse during the fall and winter. For those with a vested interest in nature, American history, or the arts, Bennington is an ideal home. 

A local notes: *I totally recommend the general area, it's absolutely beautiful, plenty of quaintness and nature spots.*


Location

The Best Thing About Bennington?

In many ways, Bennington demonstrates the negative features of the northeastern corridor of the United States in the twenty-first century. Once a town with a thriving factory, many blue collar workers have found themselves out of work in the past twenty-years, as well as the town itself contending with tainted drinking water in the factory’s immediate vicinity. Drug use is also a noted problem amongst residents, particularly heroin. As such, the dissonance between those who move to Bennington and those who are lifelong residents is somewhat high, with transplants favoring the town and lifers occasionally disparaging it. This is not a universal dichotomy, though it is worth noting.

Here's a transplanter/expat about living in Bennington: *Lived in downtown bennington for a year before buying a home in a nearby town. The town is lovely to visit but has a a colorful crowd of locals to say the least. I moved from a city of about a million and Bennington had them beat in riff-raff street people. *


The Decline

The Worst Thing About Bennington?

Like much of Vermont, Bennington prides itself on its closeness to nature. The Green Mountain National Forest is within driving range, as are the Shaftesbury and Woodford State Parks and Long and Appalachian Trails respectively. Skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing are popular winter activities. Additionally, the town boasts a modest golf course and recreation center, as well as a vibrant arts scene including the famed Sage City Symphony and the Oldcastle Theatre Company. And of course, the historical district offers opportunities to dive into the experience of the Revolutionary War. Finally, the highly decorated high school sports program and local eateries such as Blue Benn Diner lend it a charming small-town atmosphere. 

Check out the Bennington calendar of events to see what's happening in the community: https://www.bennington.com/calendar



Lifestyle of Bennington

While factory jobs are on the decline in Bennington, there are other forms of work available. Bennington is home to the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, which provides interstate service and is known for its excellence in nursing and cancer research. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, tourism, and retail are also common fields of occupation. And of course, the elite Bennington College provides opportunities to professors, administrators, researchers, and other staff members. 
It is also worth noting that while the location is appealing to those with a work-from-home lifestyle, high-speed internet connection in Bennington has long been considered problematic. While it is generally regarded to be improving, please bear this in mind when making decisions about moving here.  


Worklife of Bennington

The past is alive in Bennington. The amount of local history, state history, and national history contained within the town limits is staggering, as is the beautifully preserved natural landscape of the area. If you want to live in the epicenter of the northeastern corridor and are willing to take a chance on a town in recovery, and the prices reflect that early stage revival then put it on your list. 


The Opportunity

Why You Should Move Here Now

Bennington doesn't draw a huge population of young professionals but those that do live here gravitate to Downtown. The revival of the city is centered here and it's where you find the densest concentration of condo/apartment options, historic cultural/entertainment options like the Oldcastle Theater, the Bennington Museum, the Bennington Battle Monument, and finally it is the heart of the bar and restaurant scene so you can walk to party and recreate and never need a car. 
- Downtown

Young Professionals

Downtown

Old Bennington is the historic district in the city. It's dominated by older classic New England architecture homes but also has newer construction housing if you prefer. If you crave proximity to downtown but want the beautiful homes, brick sidewalks and classic tree-lined streets of early Bennington then this is your neighborhood. You get easy access to the best of boutique shopping, eats/drinks and great recreational options. 

Check out North Bennington if you're looking to be more removed from Downtown. It has very quiet, tree-lined streets, big reasonably priced homes, easy walks to public schools, and tons of parks and trails for you outdoorsy types. 
- Old Bennington
- North Bennington
- Southshire

Families

Old Bennington

Bennington 

**Moving home to Vermont - how’s Bennington these days?**

Bennington has developed a huge drug problem. Almost daily someone is ODing. I don't recommend Benninton proper but Shaftsbury and Arlington are better for living while working in Bennington.

The one nice thing about Bennington is there is a lot a short drive away. Crossgates Mall, Colonie Center Mall, plenty of food variety.

Bennington itself doesn't have much for night time activities either. Pretty much just a bunch of bars.

**Moving home to Vermont - how’s Bennington these days?**

Lived in downtown bennington for a year before buying a home in a nearby town. The town is lovely to visit but has a a colorful crowd of locals to say the least. I moved from a city of about a million and Bennington had them beat in riff-raff street people. Lots of families, but an equal amount of drug-addicts or people who were...slow... my current neighbor jokes constantly about the local incest and people who live off the state for generations. Now I'm no snob, I'm not uppity... that's just how bad these people are; it's really hard not to judge or to be made uncomfortable by at least one person when you're walking down the street. However, still totally reccomend the general area, it's absolutely beautiful, plenty of quaintness and nature spots, and Bennington itself has a lot of shopping options compared to other areas. Plenty of community options if the church, artisan, brewery, magic the gathering, or yoga culture is your thing. Personally I have yet to make a single friend. Every local business owner I've met has been A+. There is also 0 options for housing here currently, though that's probably covid related as for the last few years that I was looking I found some good rentals and plenty suitable homes for sale.

Moving home to Vermont - how’s Bennington these days?

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SVTer
·
2 yr. ago
Bennington has been on a long decline for decades similar to other larger VT towns that relied on manufacturing. The center of town has a lot of low income folks and a notable drug problem. Not has much drugs or crime as Barre, Rutland, or Brattleboro, but it’s pretty visible. That said the downtown is on the upswing and has a lot of new businesses and construction happening.

Not a bad place to live especially if you’re outside of the immediate downtown area - I live in the outskirts. North Bennington is an awesome vibrant village with a very tight knit community; highly recommended esp for young families.

When was the last time you were in WRJ? It’s improved substantially in the past 10 years.

**Bennington?**

I’ve been living in North Bennington for two months, and I’m loving it, people are very nice, everyday I take walks to the Mile around trail and Lake Paran Trail to Robert Frost House Trail. I recommend Kevin’s sports Bar food. I’ve been to downtown Bennington and found a lot of activity and places. Also went to Manchester and its very beautiful (30 min drive) also Albany (50 min drive) where you can find bigger events. I’m also a video producer so right now a I’m looking for different options of job opportunities. Maybe in a few months I can tell you more info but definitely I recommend you to visit Bennington.

Are you interested in living in Bennington VT but you're having trouble finding much information on it? Well this is the video for you! I'll be giving a brief history of Bennington, going over the amenities, the schools, the neighborhoods etc. and then stick around to the end to hear about Bennington's crime & drug rates and other cons. Throughout I'll be showing footage from my drone, and footage from driving around in my car to give you a good idea of what the Bennington VT area looks like.


Bennington , Vermont

The Bennington Triangle

Looklyloo Score: 78

Downtown

Young Professionals

Old Bennington

Families