Hi and welcome to the discussion. As a flatlander I'll start off (if you weren't born here, even if you have generations of native born relatives you will be a flatlander, just know it and forget about it).

Been coming here all my life after living in RI, moved to NW VT 10 years ago with a wife and 3 kids. Small town k-8 school, high school choice and slower pace of life combined to make it the best move of our lives.

Vermont is lovely, green, snow covered, mud filled, paved, dirt, liberal, conservative, libertarian, spiritual, atheist, you name it we've got it all wrapped into a splendid mix that somehow collectively works because most of us are good decent and kind people who will slooooooowwwly warm to you given time. There's a certain sense of belonging that comes when your Vietnam Veteran neighbor finally lifts his 2 fingers off the top of his steering wheel in a simple gesture that acknowledges your existence! It's the best! :-)

• Housing - expensive-ish. A lot of people will roast me for this but I stand by my statement that housing is available if you are willing to accept something other than what you may be used to or initially desire. Example, single family home in South Hero will set you back a min these days of 400 - 800k, where a manufactured home in a cooperative owned park may have a lovely community, well cared for infrastructure and stability of being self owned. Many will not even consider such options, those who do may often find success. Alternatively, consider smaller than you think you need. Smaller footprint is cheaper to heat and cool (yes, AC is starting to catch on up here!)
• Schools - great options. Vermont typically has been strong on education and has been investing in STEM and Tech training programs and centers for some time now. We had a major issue state wide several years back called Act 46 which sought to save $ by consolidating smaller schools and districts. It was challenging for many though the results for most areas that heavily involved themselves has been good. Be engaged in your local school, go to School Board meetings to get a sense of the tone.
• Location Vergennes is a great spot. Pre-kids, my wife and I would make weekend trips in our Volvo 240 to eat at Vermont Pasta (then in Vergennes and Burlington, sadly gone now), grab a room at the Sky View Motel and enjoy all Vermont has to offer. We started camping in Grand Isle State Park when our kids were quite young and it cemented Vermont as the place for us to set our roots.
• People - great mix. You will hear:
  • that Vermont is a Blue state, it is.
  • that we are a bunch of tree hugging hippies, just some of us! (Peace, Love, Dope!) extra points if you can name the movie that's from!
  • we're a bunch of liberals. Nah we're a bag of mixed nuts that heavily leans towards people over politics, not worrying about each other's private habits (bedroom or otherwise), and trying to do what's right for humans and animals.

That's about all I can put down at the moment. Feel free to comment with any questions and I'll try to help out. Good luck. 🍀🍁🌈❄️☃️🍎☮️☮