"Love this initiative - it helps build community by connecting people that might not have had the opportunity to meet as easily (or at all). Working remotely and living in a rural area, I have to actively go out of my way to connect with people and build new relationships but programs like this make it so much easier!"

Discover Southern Vermont
Life in Full Color

A vacation destination…

and a great place to put down roots.

It’s no secret that Vermont is on many a’ bucketlist! People come here for the beautiful mountain vistas & skiing, quaint villages, maple syrup, and covered bridges…

But there’s another Vermont where people relish nature’s beauty and a high quality of life year-round. They eat local food and are active outside in every season, all while enjoying a vibrant arts and music scene. They build strong community networks, raise well-rounded kids, and stay young at heart. Welcome to Southern Vermont – it’s So Vermont & more!

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Away from it all…

Imagine a place where life feels more relaxed– where you can access the peace of nature and miles of trails right from your door. Instead of billboards, there are pristine rivers and lakes and trees as far as the eye can see. And that’s not changing– Vermont has robust environmental protections and citizens that pitch in to keep it green. They pick up litter, protect pollinators, and ferry amphibians across roads on rainy spring evenings. It’s a Vermont thing!

but still well connected.

In spite of all this room to breathe, Southern Vermont has easy access to major cities. It’s just 1.5 hours to Hartford (& BDL Airport), 2 hours to Boston, 3.5 hours to NYC (or you can get there by train), and 4 hours to Montreal. Although we might be considered rural, our region’s arts, educational and recreational offerings are top notch, and our companies are connected to the world through trade and technology.

Where self reliance…

Vermonters take pride in seasonal preparations and a hands-on approach to life. Stacking wood in Fall, clearing snow in Winter, boiling maple syrup in Mud Season, and canning preserves in Summer are annual traditions. Folks also participate in local government, including the annual town meeting– a unique Vermont tradition. Plus these handy people are big on trying out new hobbies, so there’s a maker space or crafting group for almost everything!

meets community support.

Helping neighbors is a way of life; having fun while doing it is SoVermont! Our local online forums are teeming with messages of neighborly care– people trading plants, lending a hand, and providing advice. Volunteering and supporting non-profit orgs is a massive part of the culture. And while the region has a timeless quality to it, it’s also progressive. Diverse lifestyles and subcultures keep it interesting, and people from all backgrounds and ages are part of the community.

Volunteering

Resources for LGBTQ+

Resources for BIPOC

Resources for Veterans

An amazing creative scene…

Windham County was named the #4 most vibrant rural arts counties in the country, and you can really see why! You can try your hand at pottery, puppetry, woodworking, glassblowing, or screen printing. Fly high at trapeze lessons, join a local theater troupe or take part in one of our many music ensembles. If you enjoy art galleries, festivals, professional theater or want a whole lot of live music (with an abundance Celtic / Folk events) to choose from, this might be your place!

and a recreation paradise.

Yes, we have multiple world-class ski resorts, but it’s not just about big, destination activities! Getting outside daily is a way of life– for adults and kids. Nature-based schools & camps abound, and going for a gravel bike ride or getting on the river after work are natural parts of life. And then there are the places only locals know– the best spring-fed ponds for swimming on hot summer afternoons, the secret fishing holes where rainbows abound, and the lush backcountry spots for fresh-powder days. It’s all here!

Bountiful local food…

Our connection to our food through small family farms is a foundation of our culture. Dozens of CSAs (community supported agriculture programs) offer the freshest organic produce, meats and dairy. You can pick-your-own berries and apples, or join a mushroom foraging excursion. Area restaurants serve high quality food made with locally-sourced ingredients, and farmers markets are where communities gather. In SoVermont, our kids know where their food comes from, and we know the people who grow it!

with international flavor.

You might be surprised by our region’s worldly flare! Brattleboro was chosen as the nation’s first rural refugee resettlement area, so you’ll meet many New Americans who’ve been welcomed and integrated into the community. It’s also home to the Windham World Affairs Council, and the School for International Training (SIT) where the first group of Peace Corp volunteers trained. This little landlocked place also has a substantial international food scene, from award-winning Dosa Kitchen to ethnic food pop-ups and boba tea at 58 Grafton.

Strong family foundations…

We have small, safe communities with lots going on– making this an excellent place to raise a family. Our public education system consistently ranks well due to low pupil-to-teacher ratios and subsidized pre-k education. There’s lots of arts, nature and project-based learning, plus seriously cool extracurriculars for kids, such as ski jumping, circus and photography. The area also boasts a vibrant homeschool community.

plus opportunities to grow.

The number of independent businesses you see attests to our area’s incredible entrepreneurial ecosystem, which is supported by state programs and organizations like the BDCC. What’s more, folks prioritize shopping and dining locally– receiving quality products and services while boosting the region’s economy. Plus there are job opportunities in several growing sectors in SoVermont, and even more within commuting distance (Keene, NH & Greenfield, MA).

Schools & Childcare

Resources for Families

Industries & Jobs

Support for Entrepeneurs

By the Numbers

#1 for Quality of Life

Source

CNBC, 2025
Vermont’s strengths: reproductive rights, inclusiveness, health, air quality.

#1 for Opportunity & Equality

Source

U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Looks at economic opportunity, affordability and equality.

#1 Safest State

Source

WalletHub, 2025
Vermont scores well at perceived neighborhood safety, driving behavior, road quality, and financial safety.

#1 Most Outdoorsy

Source

Kuhl, 2025
Vermont leads the way in searches for these activities: skiing, snowboarding, swimming and birdwatching.

#1 Greenest State

Source

WalletHub, 2025
Vermont has the most organic farm acreage per capita, lowest carbon dioxide emissions per capita, most alternative fuel stations per capita.

#2 Healthiest State

Source

United Health, 2024
Vermont ranks high in terms of healthy behaviors, health outcomes, and clinical care, including clinicians per capita.

#3 Most Educated

Source

Wallethub, 2025
95% of people aged 25+ have at least a high school diploma, the highest percentage in the country.

#1 for Climate Resilience

Source

Hippo Resilience Report, 2025
State policies emphasize flood-resistant building codes, and investment in renewable energy infrastructure and land conservation.

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Discover Southern Vermont
Life in Full Color

A vacation destination…