A Tale of Two States: New Hampshire vs. Vermont

New Hampshire and Vermont: The two small states
share a border in New England, yet offer a world of
differences.

New Hampshire, the forty-fourth largest state in area,
with about a million in population, is fattest at its bottom, which
borders Massachusetts and, for eighteen miles, the sea. The state’s
low taxes have spurred the its growth, providing residents with low
unemployment levels and access to nearby businesses and services
that arent always easy to find in neighboring Vermont. On the other
hand, in Vermont, you wont find billboards pointing you toward big
attractions and you wont find large, brightly lit cities that never
sleep. A drive through this New England state is a throwback in
time with long country roads adorned by small family farms,
churches, and general stores. However, most residents of land-bound
Vermont prefer the quiet lifeit’s half as big in population but
slightly larger in area than New Hampshire, and borderedby Canada
to the north, New York to the west, Massachusetts to the south.

Despite their contrasting natures, however, both New
Hampshire and Vermont are proud of how they look. New Hampshire
points to its seacoast, its lovely lakes, and the White Mountains,
featuring Mount Washington. The region sees more than 60 inches of
snowfall per year on average, and residents are quick to spend
every spare moment on the slopes. And although winter may seem to
last forever, the region’s other seasons bring with them their own
winning attributes, from summer days at Hampton Beach to stunning
fall foliage in nearby White Mountain National Forest. Surrounded
by rolling mountain ranges and verdant forests, Manchester is the
largest metropolitan area in New Hampshire and home to a number of
college and university campuses, including the University of New
Hampshire at Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University and
Manchester Community College. Unsurprisingly, the community feels
young and vibrant. The seacoasts largest city is Portsmouth, home
to some of the states oldest residences. This harbor town was born
out of a shipbuilding heritage that dates back to the
17^th century.Seasonal mansions and grand oceanfront
estates grace the beach communities of Rye
and North
Hampton as well as offshore islands.

Vermont counters with its long shoreline on Lake
Champlain, its Christmas-card countryside, and the Green Mountains,
featuring Mount Mansfield, held by Vermonters in very high
regard.The lifestyle is active all four seasons, with biking, golf,
bird watching, boating and all things snow. Winter is no deterrent
to life in the great outdoors. It is, in fact, the catalyst.
Stowe is sometimes referred to as the Aspen of the
East. A resort with rustic elegance, its trails were cut by hand
during the Depression Era, which gives many a handcrafted quality.
Killington is the largest destination ski resort
on the East Coast, comprised of seven mountains. Stratton is a snowboarders magnet because of
its terrain parks.

Gibson Sothebys International Realtys vast
network of real estate experts covers nearly every corner of the
world. If you’re considering purchasing a primary residence or
vacation home in New Hampshire or Vermont, you’ll certainly find
your dream homebe it a historic country cottage, luxury waterfront
estate, mountainside ski lodge, village townhouse, or equestrian
home with miles of farmland. Allow us to connect you with Four Seasons
Sotheby’s International Realty, servicing the real estate needs
of buyers and sellers spanning Vermonts Northeast Kingdom to New
Hampshires southern border.Contact our Relocation Director, Aimee
Rideout, at Aimee.Rideout@GibsonSIR.com.