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Vermont Tops America's Move-Here Rankings with 18.4% Vote Share

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 10:18 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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Vermont Earns the Top Spot in America’s “Move‑Here” Rankings – What Makes the Green Mountain State a Magnet for Relocation

A recent Travel + Leisure feature has put Vermont in the national spotlight, announcing that it was voted the state Americans most want to relocate to in the next five years. Drawing on a large, nationally representative survey and a battery of quality‑of‑life metrics, the article paints a picture of a state that balances natural beauty with robust public services, and it offers a wealth of linked resources for those curious about what life in Vermont could look like.

1. The Survey That Sparked the Buzz

The headline-grabbing ranking comes from a 2024 nationwide poll conducted by The American Travel Association (link: https://www.americatravel.org/move-here-survey). 12,000 respondents were asked to choose a single state they would like to move to within the next five years. Vermont claimed first place with 18.4 % of the votes, a number that eclipsed the next highest state by a significant margin. Colorado, Oregon, and Utah rounded out the top‑five, but Vermont’s lead was a clear outlier.

The article explains that the poll was part of a larger effort by the Association to map “future movers” and that its methodology gives weight to both demographic diversity and geographic spread. That gives the Vermont result a level of credibility that goes beyond a simple, anecdotal trend.

2. What Makes Vermont Stand Out?

The feature breaks down the reasons Vermont’s appeal is more than just picturesque hills and maple syrup. The state consistently ranks high in three core domains used by the poll’s methodology:

2.1 Natural Environment & Outdoor Recreation

Travel + Leisure’s Vermont travel guide (link: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/vermont) is cited for its emphasis on “unspoiled nature, endless hiking trails, and year‑round ski resorts.” Green Mountain National Forest, Stowe Mountain Resort, and the Vermont Lakes Region are highlighted as “must‑visit” spots for both leisure and daily life. The article also points to the state’s leadership in renewable energy, with nearly 50 % of electricity coming from hydroelectric and wind sources—an attractive fact for eco‑conscious movers.

2.2 Health & Education

The piece dives into Vermont’s healthcare outcomes, citing the American Hospital Association (link: https://www.aha.org/) for data that show the state has the lowest rate of hospital readmissions among the top 10 states. In education, Vermont’s public schools rank in the top 15 nationwide for student‑teacher ratios and graduation rates (source: US News “Best States for Education” rankings).

2.3 Economy & Workforce

While often thought of as a “rural” state, Vermont’s economy is actually diverse. The article notes significant growth in tech startups, particularly in the capital city of Burlington, which is home to the University of Vermont (UVM) and a burgeoning biotech cluster. Job growth in 2023 outpaced the national average by 3.8 % (source: Vermont’s Department of Labor, link: https://www.vermont.gov/jobs). Median household income is 15 % higher than the national median, and the state’s low unemployment rate (4.2 %) is a strong draw for professionals.

2.4 Community & Cultural Vibrancy

Culturally, Vermont is portrayed as a “tight‑knit community with a fierce pride in its heritage.” The article references the Vermont Arts Council’s initiatives (link: https://arts.vermont.gov/) and the thriving craft‑beer scene—Vermont tops the list of states with the highest number of breweries per capita. Social events such as the Vermont Maple Fest, Burlington’s “Open House” festivals, and the annual “Stowe Mountain Film Festival” illustrate how residents celebrate community.

3. Real Estate & Affordability

The feature spends a good amount of time on the practicalities of moving to Vermont. Although property values have increased by an average of 7 % over the last decade, the article points out that home prices remain lower than those in the typical coastal high‑cost markets (San Francisco, NYC). The median home price in Vermont is $310,000 (link: https://www.zillow.com/vt/home-values/) versus $1.1 million in the Bay Area. This affordability, combined with high tax incentives for renewable‑energy installations, makes Vermont attractive for families and retirees.

4. Follow‑Up Resources & How to Get Started

To close the story, Travel + Leisure links to a set of practical tools for potential movers:

1. Vermont Travel & Tourism Board – a one‑stop portal for visiting and living in Vermont (link: https://www.vermont.travel/).
2. Vermont’s “Move Here” Guide – a PDF with detailed info on neighborhoods, schools, and job markets (link: https://www.vermont.gov/move-here).
3. Vermont Economic Development Agency – information on small‑business grants and tech incubators (link: https://www.vermont.gov/economic-development).

The article also includes a sidebar featuring an interview with Vermont’s Governor Phil Scott, who says, “Vermont offers a unique blend of high‑quality public services and the freedom of an open‑air lifestyle—something only a few states can match.”

5. Bottom Line

Travel + Leisure’s coverage of Vermont’s top ranking is far more than a headline. By unpacking the survey’s methodology, the state’s measurable strengths in health, education, economy, and environment, and by providing actionable links for further exploration, the article turns a single statistic into a full‑blown invitation for those considering a new chapter.

Whether you’re a nature lover looking for world‑class hiking, a professional seeking a vibrant tech community, or a retiree craving high quality of life at a reasonable cost, Vermont’s combination of natural beauty, civic pride, and practical amenities makes it a compelling choice—validated not just by a poll but by a suite of data points that Travel + Leisure has laid out for you. If moving sounds like your next big move, Vermont’s resources are just a click away.