Strong, welcoming communities keep new Vermont residents in the Green Mountains. Here’s how three recently relocated families are growing roots in their new home state.
KEVIN CHU
What brought you to Vermont?
The American Dream. My parents brought me to Vermont, or at least the idea of me. They immigrated from an agricultural community in Southeast China in 1986 seeking economic opportunity and the hope for a better life for their children. I often think about how difficult of a decision is must have been to leave their home to relocate to a foreign country with very little money, not knowing English, and only one social connection. My aunt had married an American and they lived here in Vermont – that’s how my family ended up settling in this great state. Five years after my parents relocated, they brought me into this world, and I’ve called Vermont home ever since.
What keeps you here?
The Vermont Dream. My family came to Vermont for the American Dream but found something even better. Yes, we found economic opportunity and worked hard to achieve upward social mobility. We also found a community built on ethical values, a natural environment that is unmatched, and a strong education system. It is a wonderful place to grow a family and I am very proud to call Vermont my home. These conditions don’t “keep” me in Vermont… they make me choose to stay here!
ALEXANDER FIGUEROA
What brought you to Vermont?
My wife was born and raised in Wallingford, Vermont. Our journey together began back in Upstate New York where we met and attended Utica College. Fast forward to 2017, it was time for us to start a family. Without a question, with great employment opportunities, it made sense to make the move to Bennington. Not only were we able to build roots, but we were also able to develop long lasting friendships. Here we are four years later with our beautiful two-year-old baby girl Liliana, a wonderful home and amazing careers.
What keeps you here?
Community. We have been able to develop some terrific relationships not just within Bennington, but throughout the region and the entire State of Vermont. Additionally, Vermont is just an overwhelmingly beautiful state with access to all four seasons that provide an extra flavor that many other states could not provide.
CRISTINA PEREZ AYALA CANO
What brought you to Vermont?
Vermont has been attractive to me for a while due to a myriad of reasons, but most importantly having a tight-knit community, location, environment and history. In conjunction with all these factors, what brought my husband David and I to Vermont was my job at Bennington College.
What keeps you here?
We’ve profoundly enjoyed getting to know all that The Shires and Vermont have to offer. We are delighted to be able to see the changes in seasons and we’re excited about being surrounded by so much history. Our community has been deeply welcoming. We’re plugged into as many activities as possible and have become very fond of Bennington Performing Arts Center. We assist as many productions as we are able, including the Park Mccullough events, and we still have many things that we continue to explore. I also love my job, and I’m still very excited about being a part of the Bennington College community. We remain and will continue to remain because from the moment we arrived we felt that we came home.
