Middlebury, Vermont

The people of Middlebury pride themselves on a simple lifestyle. The many self-employed farmers of the area, as well as the outdoorsmen and women, live closely with nature. However, for this reason, it is difficult to recommend Middlebury to those who prefer the greater diversity of people and experiences of city life. Middlebury is a small town, and the majority of people either attend school there for a few years or have lived there for their entire lives. If you are young and single, you may have a difficult time developing a social life. Couples, particularly, those with children, however, will find lots to do between the art and history museums, college sporting events, apple picking, skiing, hiking, and fishing.

It is also worth noting that Middlebury, as a northern New England college town home to a private liberal arts school, is both politically very liberal and ethnically heavily caucasian. If one or both of those factors are either deterants or endorsements, bear them in mind before relocating.

Experience Middlebury has a nice events calendar for those looking for details on yearly happenings: https://www.experiencemiddlebury.com/events/

The economy of Middlebury is largely based around Middlebury college. The majority of jobs are at the university, be it teaching or other staff and faculty. As such, if you are a professor, particularly of literature or foreign languages, the college’s legendary programs will offer a highly prestigious job opportunity. If you are looking for more entry-level or service-oriented work, schools always need cooks, custodians, nurses, secretaries, and administrators. In addition, like much of Vermont, Middlebury has a high number of independently owned farms and orchards, so if you would like to own your own farm or simply pick up seasonal work as a farmhand, you can make it work. Finally, if you have a work-from-home job, then you may find Middlebury provides excellent scenery while you work. This is especially true if you are a fiction writer, as you will find yourself amongst many of your fellow literary types who may be able to help with your work, or simply foster an environment of academic comradery in your shared passion for literature.

If you're looking for a simple, quiet life in a patch of unspoiled northeastern wilderness, Middlebury will be to your liking. While the town can be a bit factional, students and locals are generally known to welcome newcomers into their fold. Middlebury offers a peaceful life with friendly, laid-back people, and in spite of the glut of writers in the area, it is an experience that defies written description.