Nestled in southern Vermont, Bennington is an ideal home for those seeking more space in a bustling historic downtown.
Among the most populous towns in Vermont, Bennington is home to an eclectic mosaic of people including artists, musicians, brewers, farmers, and business professionals. The Shires Young Professionals, an active group for all adults offering mixers, networking opportunities, and family events, seeks to engage and welcome new residents and help them find their place within the Bennington community. Annual events like Garlic Town, USA and a summer and winter homebrew festival fill the town’s calendar and amenities like parks, team sports, and a renovated recreation center help families find their niche. Local food is plentiful in the Bennington area, with CSAs from area farms supplementing grocery lists, farmers markets county-wide, and restaurants offering farm-to-table fare. Nearby Manchester is home to a plethora of shopping and dining options, including the Silver Fork, voted the most romantic date-night restaurant in the U.S. by TripAdvisor reviewers in 2021.
Job opportunities in Bennington await for those who work in healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, education, and the public sector. The region’s largest employer is Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, a five-time Magnet award-winning hospital with strong support for nursing and medical staff. The Vermont Veterans’ Home, Bennington College, the Southwestern Vermont Supervisory Union, comprising a collection of area schools including Mount Anthony Union High School, a slew of manufacturing companies, and local government round out Bennington’s industries. Bennington also has many hospitality employers, including restaurants, lodging properties, and retail. Remote workers can benefit from the region’s proximity to major metropolitan areas.
Further reading: You Moved to Southern Vermont… Now What?
Housing in Bennington ranges from striking old-style buildings dating from the town’s founding years to modern condos and apartments. According to Matt Harrington, executive director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, three new housing projects will wrap up in 2023, and another handful are planned for the coming five years. Harrington recommends those considering relocating to Bennington contact local real estate agents and keep up with the market online and by checking out the local newspaper, the Bennington Banner.
Surrounding historic downtown Bennington, Bennington County is home to almost 36,000 people and is enveloped by the lush Green Mountain Forest, its skyline punctuated by the Taconic Mountain Range. When Bennington was originally settled in 1749, its residents came together to build a community gristmill powered by the rushing Walloomsac River, which runs through and around the historic downtown. Bennington is home to the Bennington Battle Monument, Vermont’s tallest man-made structure. Spearing the sky at 306 feet, it commemorates the 1777 Battle of Bennington, when militia from Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts notched a pivotal Revolutionary War victory against the British. The region is home to the Bennington Museum, collecting and exhibiting American historic art with miles of trails on its grounds. Three covered bridges crisscross Bennington’s downtown with more region-wide. The Oldcastle Theatre Company, among the longest-running professional theatre groups in the country, also calls the town home. The Long Trail, a 272-mile hiking trail that runs the length of Vermont, begins in the Bennington region; state parks and trail networks, like the Bennington Area Trail System, also welcome hikers and mountain bikers. Downtown Bennington is served by the Green Mountain Express bus system, connecting it to Burlington, Rutland, and Albany, N.Y., as well as other destinations within Vermont.
The prospect of relocation includes a lot of decision-making. Programs both statewide and region-specific can help potential new Vermonters find information, answers to their questions, and planning resources for a move. Connect with a Vermonter to get answers in your inbox, as well as an introduction to a regional partner who can help build relationships with real estate agents, employers, and community members in your region. Kick off a job search by browsing positions currently open in Vermont. Tools, incentives, and special programs can help those looking to expand or relocate their businesses to Vermont.
