Live Where You Love

The Live in Vermont: Live Where You Love survey introduces a real opportunity for Vermont. The Vermont Futures Project had partnered with Richard Watts, Director of the Center for Research for Vermont, to deploy a Vermont statewide survey the summer of 2020 to reach folks taking refuge in Vermont during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this project was to learn what these temporary residents would need to make Vermont their permanent residence.

There was strong indication that a large number of people who came to Vermont for COVID-19 related reasons and are now thinking about staying in Vermont. Results show that more than 1/3 (35%) of those surveyed (N=233) indicated they were likely or very likely to stay in Vermont (35%). For a state that is not growing at all, adding even a fraction of this number would have an impact. The survey is now complete, and the full report can be found here. Some of these temporary residents have taken the next to make a move a reality. The Vermont Futures Project in collaboration with Anna Watts, a New York photographer and Vermont native, to share several stories about these real Vermonter we welcome with open arms. Take a moment to get to know our new Vermonters.

Justin Will and Elise Willer, Vershire
Kiera Lewis and Cory Bratton, Brattleboro
Eliza Fitzhugh and Andres Gutierrez, South Burlington
Jack and Jean Sharry, Warren
Jonathan Brathwaite and Becky Alford, Hinesburg