What do you look for when considering where your family should live?  

Clean air? A low crime rate? A strong education system? You don’t have to choose when considering Vermont; they’re all part of life here. Consumer Affairs recently named the Green Mountain State among the top 5 to raise a family, citing its high ranking for quality of life, its high ranking in health care metrics, and some key cultural touchpoints as reasons for families to make their homes here. 

That quality of life highlight has a few powerhouse metrics behind it. Vermont’s crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, making it the state with the third-lowest crime rate in the nation. Vermont’s crisp, fresh, and unpolluted air is another contributor to an overall high quality of life for residents, thanks to lower traffic congestion and a lack of polluting industry.  

Vermont residents are known for having healthy lifestyles, and Vermont kids are no exception. Ease of access to the outdoors, low health disparities among populations, and a thriving local agriculture and food scene contribute to overall health across the board. Consumer Affairs’ Vermont accolade also cited health care statistics, calling out that Vermont has the second-lowest number of uninsured children and the lowest number of children who didn’t get preventative care in the last year. Additionally, small class sizes, high per-pupil spending, and lots of options for different educational styles make learning in Vermont accessible for families. 

Many families who live in Vermont say they love it here because their kids can be kids. For some, that means playing outside with safe access to a wide swath of outdoor recreation options, including mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, paddling, and more. For others, that means cultural enrichment opportunities, from libraries to unique museums, inviting kids into the natural and scientific world. Vermont has the highest number of libraries per capita in the nation, providing families with safe places to read and rent equipment such as telescopes, snowshoes, museum passes, garden tools, musical instruments, and more. Vermont also has 55 state parks, more than 800 lakes, and 11,500 miles of trails. opening up the outdoors to residents year-round. 

Ready to find your family’s next home? Read Consumer Affairs’ recommendation of Vermont and start exploring what life in Vermont could look like.