Crosspost from r/Burlington: Burlington, VT vs Marquette, MI: Has anyone spent significant time in both? Willing to offer comparisons/insight?

Submitted by OralHairyLeukoplakia t3_11uuj7k in vermont

Context: I'm a few years away from having to decide where I'd like to live and work. Job description and income relative to cost of living will be similar in both areas. Burlington and Marquette seem to have a lot of common ground:

  • great winter weather w/ xx skiing and snowshoeing opportunities
  • lakefront
  • college town influence
  • minimal ethnic diversity (should go without saying that this is a con)
  • somewhat transient younger population juxtaposed against surrounding insular locals
  • outdoorsy social scene
  • emphasis on locally owned restaurants vs chains

Marquette seems to have an edge when it comes to its lake, lower petty crime/poverty (I understand both towns are far better than most of the US), and general access to public land/wilderness activities nearby.

Burlington seems to have an edge when it comes to accessibility to the rest of the country/Montreal and Quebec City, larger economic base, better adjacent skiing opportunities, much closer to ocean, significantly more restaurant variety.

Since they are on the surface at least somewhat similar, I was hoping to hear from people that have spent significant amount of time visiting, or preferably have lived, in both. I feel like they would have very valuable insight that could help me make a decision.

I have visited both before, albeit shortly, and plan to visit both at least once more in both summer and winter to help further inform my decision.

Again, salary relative to cost of living will be very similar in each, and does not need to be a deciding factor.

I appreciate any insight anyone has to offer. Look forward to hearing from anyone willing to share!

0

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Chess_Not_Checkers t1_jcqsori wrote

Marquette is much smaller and FEELS like a small town. Burlington isn't much of a city but it feels a lot bigger than it actually is, mostly due to the problems it's facing. It's been a couple years since I've been to Marquette but I'd pick that over Burlington any day if I were you. I took a quick peek at housing costs and while Marquette is still higher than average due to the college, it looks way cheaper than Burlington still.

I wanted to escape the Midwest but if I were going to move back it'd be to the UP somewhere or maybe Milwaukee.

4

OralHairyLeukoplakia OP t1_jcqud9q wrote

Thank you for your help!

By "problems it's facing", do you mean housing shortage/lack of affordability, or drug problem? Or other?

I am just curious. Fortunately, I should be able to absorb the hit of Burlington's cost of living compared to Marquette's with the job, but just wanted to pick your brain further.

I appreciate it!

1

Chess_Not_Checkers t1_jcqx311 wrote

Drug problems, higher comparative crime to the rest of the state(still low overall though), lack of housing, lack of services in VT which drives down on their luck people to the cities here in the first place... take your pick. It's hard to live here compared to the midwest.

3

OralHairyLeukoplakia OP t1_jcqy2z7 wrote

Makes sense. Thanks for elaborating, I appreciate it!

1

Necessary_Cat_4801 t1_jcugwa5 wrote

"Lack of housing" doesn't quite get the point across. The whole state is rapidly turning into a gated community.

1

Unique-Public-8594 t1_jcpzfpq wrote

Well… only Marquette has a claim to having been the film location for a Jimmy Stewart movie.

1

Necessary_Cat_4801 t1_jcugncc wrote

I can't imagine anywhere in the mid West is as unaffordable as Burlington/Vermont.

1