With a population that values getting outdoors — from cross-country skiing within Burlington’s city limits to pitching in at a community garden — it’s no surprise that the region has won awards for its quality of life. Living in Vermont definitely has its perks.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital not only to employees in Vermont, but also to the Greater Burlington area’s employers. After all, the region increasingly attracts out-of-state transplants seeking equilibrium between their personal and work lives. Here’s a little insight into what makes living in Vermont so desirable.
What’s Wrong with Bragging?
Vermont, and particularly Burlington, have been named to many top national lists from Best Places to Live to the Best State in America for Healthy Kids. But did you know that Burlington as ranked #9 for “Most Innovative Tech Hub in the U.S.” by NerdWallet and Top Ten for Clean Tech by Clean Edge, Inc.?
Perks of the Job
Burlington-area residents are aided in achieving a healthy lifestyle by many of the region’s top employers.
Burton Snowboards, for instance, subsidizes employees’ gym memberships and offers discounted season passes to Vermont ski areas.
University of Vermont, Champlain College , and other top Burlington employers offer gift cards to local stores for employees who walk or bike to work.
Seventh Generation, the maker of green cleaning products, boasts flexible work arrangements and a wellness program.
While Vermont’s agricultural background remains important to the state — maple syrup farms and cheese making abounds throughout the region — the Burlington area also has a long tradition of technological innovation.
A Socially Networked City
With a highly educated population, Burlington has quickly become one of the most wired cities in the U.S., with Men’s Health ranking the city as the 13th most socially networked city, surpassing larger metropolises such as Los Angeles and Miami.
IBM has a half-century legacy of technology innovation in Vermont. In the 1950s, the computer maker opened an Essex Junction division. Located just minutes from downtown Burlington, IBM’s Essex Junction plant now manufactures advanced computer chips and employs several thousand workers. In 2014, GlobalFoundries, the world’s first full-service semiconductor foundry, announced the acquisition of the IBM plant, supporting the growth of the semiconductor chip manufacturer.
Healthcare remains a large employer in the Burlington area, with the University of Vermont Medical Center employing more than 6,000 people in its hospitals and medical centers serving patients and their families in Vermont and northern New York. Providing cutting-edge healthcare technology, GE Healthcare in South Burlington employs several hundred people.
Start-ups abound in Burlington. Dealer.com, based in Burlington, started in 1998 to offer online tools to car dealerships. While JVillage, also based in Burlington, creates online communities for Jewish organizations.
Beyond Ice Cream
Aside from the education and technology employers, Vermont is also known for its focus on high-quality food products. Ben & Jerry’s, after all, got its start in a former gas station in Burlington. Burlington-based Lake Champlain Chocolates is winning converts around the country with its lines of organic chocolates, Vermont-inspired treats, and other specialty chocolates.
Small-food growers and producers also abound in the Greater Burlington area, from local organic farms offering produce through community-sponsored agriculture (or CSAs) to small entrepreneurs such as Ferrisburgh’s Vermont Cookie Love and South Hero’s Vermont Brownie Co.
If you’re ready to get started, check out the Living in Vermont resources available through Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty. One of the greatest things about our area is the endless networking potential. In a small state the adage that “someone knows someone” is very true. So if you’re considering the area — give me a call, I’m happy to connect with you.
Image Source: Flickr/cbhbrealty
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