Considering a move from north Texas to either Spokane, WA or Burlington, VT. Which locale is better and why?

Question

My wife and I are in our early 30s, no kids, white collar jobs. We are looking to move someplace with more opportunities for outdoor recreation (hiking, mountain biking, fishing, skiing, etc.) than the DFW area, someplace smaller than the DFW metroplex, a place with a high quality of life and someplace with a milder climate than Texas. Nightlife and culture are also important, but we're realistic about the fact that our two "targets" (Spokane and Burlington) are not NYC or San Francisco. We've spent time in both Washington and Vermont (loved both states), but not specifically in Spokane or Burlington. Have some flexibility in that we don't need to find jobs immediately upon arrival at our destination, but would need to be employed within about 6 months after arrival. Please tell me the pros and cons of each place and which place you would choose based on the above considerations. Thanks.

Answer 1

If you are looking for outdoor activities, I would say Washington state. But I will say right away I have never been to Vermont. I just know that even people who have been all over the country always praise the amount of outdoor activities to be found in Washington state. If you are not that crazy about snow I would suggest you consider Seattle instead of Spokane though. Seattle rarely gets snow, and rarely goes below freezing in the winter. The job market of Seattle is much better than Spokane as well. If you want more of a downtown type of nightlife I would say Seattle would be better than Spokane.

The biggest thing to decide is if you want a west coast way of life or an east coast way of life. Everyone that has lived on both coasts usually says the same things. East coast is more fast paced, west coast is more laid back. Although I am not sure the laid back applies to Los Angeles :)

The job market in Spokane is not the greatest, it really depends on what field you are in and what your experience and education levels are. I have a friend who had a masters in management information systems and cannot get a job with it in Spokane because every place wantes experience not just education. So that really depends on your field and experience.

Here are a few links to some sites for Spokane outdoors activities.
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Mount%20Spokane

http://www.riversidestatepark.org/

http://www.visitspokane.com/visitorpages/index.php?id=10

Best of luck with your move. I hope you enjoy wherever you end up.

Answer 2

Never been to Spokane, but been to Burlington plenty of times. Even with the winters I'd vote for Burlington.

You are only an hour from Montreal, Canada, what nightlife you can't find in Burlington and can find in Montreal.

You have Lake Chanplain, easy access of New York State.
Plenty of major retai stores for shopping.

Any more things you can do in the outdoors and you would probably find in Spokane.

Good schools if you ever deciede to have kids. (I would recommend not having any) but that's your choice/

Answer 3

My husband and I travel the country for a living and we have been to both places a few times each. This is just my opinion, but I think that Spokane is much better than Burlington. I know that Burlington has much worse weather. Spokane is bigger and there will be a lot more opportunities for your family to get jobs. Burlington is really a small town that seems big. Again, this is just my opinion...the best of luck to you and yours, whatever you decide!

Answer 4

Spokane is beautiful. I have been there many times and the weather can be a bit nasty at times (winter ice storms) but tolerable. It is a nice little city with alot of potential. Summers are great there. Never been to VT so I can't really say which is better but Spokane is nice. Have you thought about Yakima? Fresh fruit!!

Answer 5

Burlington is great choice
very low crime rate
yeah it gets cold in the winter(time to make the babies!!) but the summers make it all worthwhile
winter has alot of great skiing nearby which means some of the countrys best hiking mountains for the rest of the year
awesome foliage in the fall
whitewater rafting in the spring
lake champlain for summer fun or winter ice fishing
only a few minutes to upstate new york(lake placid)
montreal is only a few hours away
Boston is a few hours away also
Wa is good if you like rain - UGH!

more and more tech firms locating there(VT)

Answer 6

Your from Texas. Hate snow? Thought so. Thats all Vermont is. Wa is more temp-friendly. Good luck in your move.

Answer 7

If you are from Texas go to PHX, just as bad there toohow about Atlanta