Homebuyers rush to state with top fall foliage, remote work perks and cash to move... if you can handle woke politics

Daily Mail​

08-05-2025

For remote workers, nothing beats great scenery and high-speed internet.
Americans are realizing Vermont offers the best of both and have made it the No 1 state for homebuyers.
It also doesn't hurt that the state has influencer-approved foliage, plenty to do outdoors, farm fresh food, plenty of rivers and lakes, a lower cost of living than most other states — and you can even get paid to move there.
The new residents to the area join those who bought homes during the pandemic era boom and then stayed because they loved it.
The median house price in Vermont is $388k, according to Zillow. The national average home price in the US is $416k as of the first quarter of 2025.
'We have people coming from the tri-state area for second homes for skiing and we ask every winter if they can't take the cold and want to sell and no one wants to,' Vermont realtor Lynn Rawson tells DailyMail.com.
'Since Covid we've had everybody running up here and I have not had anyone say they're leaving.
Rawson adds that people usually choose the area on a whim then end up growing old there.
'Usually when people will buy a home here and they don't really know anything about it then they're moving here full-time.'
Highspeed broadband internet and a nature-filled lifestyle are a huge draw.
In fact, the state tops a list of places people are moving to, with 61 percent more people moving into Vermont than out of it, according to a study by Hire a Helper moving company.
Most of the movers bought a home in the state and moved because they preferred the area, not because it was necessary.
Even big stars have called Vermont home when they needed to escape the intensity of Hollywood.
Ana de Armas revealed last year that she is happier than ever following her move to a rural area in Vermont, where she quietly purchased a $7 million home last year.
While reflecting on leaving Hollywood for a quieter life, the actress said she wanted peace and quiet.
'I feel like nowadays, we all want to go away from the craziness of the world,' she said at a premiere at the time.
She continued: 'We all want to have the chance to build your own safe space. I've made that decision myself.'
'I can collect myself and only bring there who I want to be with. I have my little cocoon there,' she said of her sprawling six-bedroom home, complete with eight bathrooms, a swimming pool, mountain views and open meadows.
Many like the lower cost of living and its stunning fall foliage.
Vermont is known for its natural landscape, which is mostly covered in lush forests.
One of the ways the state keeps its beauty beautiful is by refusing to allow roadside billboards.
Vermont became the first in the United States to ban billboards in 1968 because they were adamant about reducing visual clutter.
Instead of billboards, travel information signs to guide drivers to destinations.
The state is also known for promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Vermont tops a list of places people are moving to for its chill and affordable lifestyle
'Spring summer and fall are amazing here and we've had some really beautiful days lately and you see everybody's outside,' Rawson says.
Vermont is a farming state and farmers' markets and farm to table restaurants and grocery stores are a prominent part of the state's culture. Hillside farms are scattered throughout the state where cows and goats can be seen grazing.
The state works support local farmers and traders with tax breaks and local farm programs.
It's very eco-friendly with a very low amount of pollution. There are very little natural disasters.
'I've had buyers tell me they're coming and investing here because apparently we have been identified as the state with the least likely amount of damage to happen from global warming,' Rawson says. 'It's disaster free.'
Despite the influx of residents, Vermont still has one of the lowest populations in the US, so it never feels overcrowded.
Vermont is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who love to hike, bike, and ski the many trails in the state.
Covered bridges, grassy meadows, and gorgeous red maple trees line the roads. They often have buckets attached for collecting sap for maple syrup.
Vermont is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who love to hike, bike, and ski the mountains
Vermont makes more than half the country's maple syrup, which is more than any other state. In 2024, the state produced a record of 3.1 million gallons of the stuff.
The area offers plenty to do in downtime, many weekend vacation getaways are cozy log cabins for rent.
Breweries are popular in the state and most towns have a charming village street filled with local shops, cafe's and bookstores.
Vermont is famous for being home to the original Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, which offers guided tours and tastings.
Their mountainside grounds offer space to enjoy your ice cream, play on the playground, and pay your respects in the Flavor Graveyard for expired flavors.
For nature lovers, summit of Camel's Hump Tour houses the biggest granite quarry in the world.
The state offers incentives to move there, too.
The Worker Relocation Incentive Program was signed into law in 2022. It provides grants to recruit remote workers and workers moving to the state to fill a position with a Vermont employer up to $7,500.
The state is also known for promoting a healthy lifestyle where many people hike
Often referred to as 'granola,' Vermont is known for it's outdoorsy style of dressing and progressive politics.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders kicked off his career there, eventually rising to Burlington's mayor, a member of the United States House of Representatives, and then the United States Senate.
Over that time, voters fell in love with Sanders and his progressive ideas. The Vermont Progressive Party was formally established in 2000.
That's a major draw for some, especially in the current political climate.
Rawson says she recently sold famed author John Irving's house to a lawyer from Miami, who was fed up with red state politics and wanted a more liberal place to live.
'He mentioned politics was a big part of the move,' she says.