My sense in my area (Addison County) is that if you're a skilled woodworker and timber framer there are plenty of Jobs. Sliver Maple, VT Frames and Stark Mountain woodworking seem to always be hiring but there are many smaller outfits he could jump to once you make a few connections. As for graphic design/marketing that's so portable surely you could find some work from home options. I'd say the industries you're in are ones that could work here. The thing about VT culturally is that there are lots of smaller employers who are much easier to access once you're here, so it's a risk but i'd be confident you'd figure it out. If your partner can build, buy land and go that way, much much cheaper than buying one of the few properties on the market, there tend to be old camps which sometimes have wells that you could live in while you're building. Not easy, but can be done. I keep harping on it but we are a small town state, relationships matter and many people prefer to deal with people they meet face to face rather than folks far away. It can make it seem unwelcoming but once you're here it can be a huge bonus.