Driving in Vermont is VERY different than driving in Michigan. I went to college and lived a decade in West Michigan (Holland, Zeeland, Allendale, Wyoming, Grand Rapids) so I thought I knew snow dealing with lake effect and squalls every winter. Vermont is VERY different. For one, we have a lot more ice and mud. It's also a lot more variable, going from rain to sleet to snow to hail - all in the same drive. I was able to drive carefully and survive with my front-wheel drive with all-season tires in Michigan. Here I have AWD and use snow tires with studs every winter just to make sure the car stays on the road. Also, 50% of roads in Vermont are dirt and in the spring, mud season is quite a challenge that I never experienced in MI . Take my word for it, you don't want to live far from work if you can avoid it. The closer the better - just for your own sanity and to free yourself from worry.