Colchester, Vermont

Colchester brings together many of the best parts of life in Vermont. Located on Lake Champlain, one of the most pristine freshwater bodies in the whole of the United States, Colchester’s natural beauty combines the clean air and elevation of life in the mountains with the mariner’s dreams of life on the water. A tourist spot of unparalleled majesty, wherein boat enthusiasts and fishermen gather, Colchester also borders the city of Burlington to the south and is located conveniently close to the Canadian border, as well as a reasonable drive from upstate New York or the rest of New England. Colchester is a beautiful place, ideal for commuters and the rustically inclined.

Vermont as a whole has suffered from inflated housing prices in the past two decades, and Colchester is no exception. Its scenic locale and desirable location ratchet up prices even further, as does the local reluctance to build new housing for fear of spoiling the quaint small-town feel. It is generally recommended that you have housing secured before moving to Colchester for this exact reason, and to be aware of the high property taxes.

As befits its geography, Colchester has amazing outdoor play year-round. Niquette Bay State Park has amazing hiking and swimming in and around Lake Champlain. The Father’s Day Fishing Derby, founded in 1981, brings in thousands of competitors, it's a one-of-a-kind event. The Parks Department offers an Easter Egg Hunt, a Summer Concert Series, and a Winter Carnival. In addition, gun culture is alive and well, and enthusiasts will find no lack of camaraderie. Finally, Saint Michael’s Playhouse has theatrical experiences for the curious, and the abundance of microbreweries has plenty to explore for beer fanatics.

If you want to see what locals get up to for fun check out the Colchester calendar of events.

We highly recommend visiting Colchester and staying in the community in a VRBO rather than a hotel to get a feel for living among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our partnership with Expedia as well.

Tourism is one of the primary industries in Colchester. Lake Champlain brings in a high number of summer tourists, as does Leaf Peeping in the Fall and skiing and hiking in the winter. Working for the tourism industry or parks department is often considered a viable career in town, as is working at the local hospice and housing chapter. Meanwhile, Green Mountain Power provides several blue-collar jobs, and Saint Michael’s College offers employment opportunities in higher education. In many ways, Colchester is a service-oriented town: serving others, serving the community, serving visitors, or simply serving nature. If that appeals to you, you may find Colchester an excellent potential home.