Vermont Senior Living
They don’t call Vermont the Green Mountain State for nothing. One of the most beautiful states in the northeast, senior living in Vermont has a lot to offer anyone looking for retirement options. Boasting the smallest population of any state east of the Mississippi, Vermont is routinely ranked among the top states for both health and safety with its low crime rates. Agriculture is an economic mainstay, especially dairy farming, with the production of milk, cheese, butter, ice cream and additional artisanal foods shipped throughout New England. Famous for its maple syrup, Vermont is also home to many wineries and microbreweries, as well as state parks, historic sites, and museums.
Senior citizens comprise 15% of Vermont’s population, well over the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau’s national average of 13.3%. With so many facilities to serve this growing demographic, Vermont senior living options are widely available.
Vermont Assisted Living Costs
According to Genworth Data, the average annual cost of a private one-bedroom assisted living facility in Vermont is $46,800. Prices may vary depending on location and care necessities.
- The State Agency Responsible for Regulating Assisted Living in Vermont is the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, Division of Licensing and Protection
- Regulations for Vermont Assisted Living Facilities
Retirement in Vermont
While Vermont is considered one of the most picturesque states for retirement, for those of you looking to make your nest egg last for years and years, you might just want to take an actual photo and keep on driving. That beautiful view comes with one steep price tag. Compared to the rest of the country, Vermont's cost of living is 16.70% higher than the U.S. average.
Adding to its high cost of living, according to Kiplinger.com, Vermont is not what you would consider very tax-friendly. In fact, it could be considered one of the most “tax-hostile” states in the US, especially for seniors.
Did you know that...?
- Vermont taxes most retirement income, including Social Security income *www.kiplinger.com
- Vermont’s property taxes are among the ten highest in the U.S., according to the Tax Foundation.
- There is a property-tax exemption for veterans. The first $10,000 (may be increased up to $40,000 by a vote of the town) of appraisal value of the residence of a qualifying veteran, his or her surviving spouse or child may be exempt.*www.kiplinger.com
- Vermont has no inheritance tax, but it does have an estate tax if property exceeds $2.75 million
Best Cities for Retirement in Vermont
Montpelier is the capital and adjacent to the mountains, making it a great community for those active senior types. Not too far away from the capital, Burlington is a lively college town on Lake Champlain that is also near the Green Mountains. Being so close to that clean mountain air gives this little city the great distinction of having the best air-quality measures in the nation. It’s also quite popular with the tourists, attracting 3 million visitors a year.
If you’re looking for something a little quieter than Burlington, there really is no shortage of senior community possibilities in Vermont. Brattleboro, Bennington and Middlebury both offer great options for retirement activities with reasonable housing costs.
Local Health Care
There are 15 hospitals and medical centers in Vermont. The Fletcher Allen Health Care Center is the number one hospital that meets the state’s strong performance standards.
Quick Medical Guide for Vermont:
Activities for Seniors
No matter where you go in Vermont, you’ll bound to find a variety of things to do. Every major town offers excellent dining, diverse cultural events, and shopping opportunities. For those looking for a little more action, Vermont senior living offers a ton of activities like skiing, snowboarding, bird-watching, and fishing in the Green Mountains.
Lake Champlainis also a popular resort town, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Often called the sixth Great Lake, it stretches for more than 120 miles between Vermont, New York, and Quebec. The lake, surrounded by the rugged Adirondack Mountains and beautiful Green Mountains, is the place to experience the state’s many outdoor festivals, historic events, and everything from water sports like swimming and skiing to fishing, hiking, and mountain biking.
Local Weather
Just as extreme as its cost of living, Vermont’s climate is not for the faint of heart. Although summers are pleasantly mild, the winters are brutally cold with frequent snowstorms. And that’s just the way the locals and visitors prefer it as a nice fluffy snow storm makes for some killer skiing! Check out Vermont’s current temperatures!
