A Tale of Two States: New Hampshire vs. Vermont

New Hampshire and Vermont: The two small states share a border in New England, yet offer a world of differences.

New Hampshire, the forty-fourth largest state in area, with about a million in population, is fattest at its bottom, which borders Massachusetts and, for eighteen miles, the sea. The state's low taxes have spurred the its growth, providing residents with low unemployment levels and access to nearby businesses and services that arent always easy to find in neighboring Vermont. On the other hand, in Vermont, you wont find billboards pointing you toward big attractions and you wont find large, brightly lit cities that never sleep. A drive through this New England state is a throwback in time with long country roads adorned by small family farms, churches, and general stores. However, most residents of land-bound Vermont prefer the quiet lifeit's half as big in population but slightly larger in area than New Hampshire, and borderedby Canada to the north, New York to the west, Massachusetts to the south.

Despite their contrasting natures, however, both New Hampshire and Vermont are proud of how they look. New Hampshire points to its seacoast, its lovely lakes, and the White Mountains, featuring Mount Washington. The region sees more than 60 inches of snowfall per year on average, and residents are quick to spend every spare moment on the slopes. And although winter may seem to last forever, the region's other seasons bring with them their own winning attributes, from summer days at Hampton Beach to stunning fall foliage in nearby White Mountain National Forest. Surrounded by rolling mountain ranges and verdant forests, Manchester is the largest metropolitan area in New Hampshire and home to a number of college and university campuses, including the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University and Manchester Community College. Unsurprisingly, the community feels young and vibrant. The seacoasts largest city is Portsmouth, home to some of the states oldest residences. This harbor town was born out of a shipbuilding heritage that dates back to the 17^th century.Seasonal mansions and grand oceanfront estates grace the beach communities of Rye and North Hampton as well as offshore islands.

Vermont counters with its long shoreline on Lake Champlain, its Christmas-card countryside, and the Green Mountains, featuring Mount Mansfield, held by Vermonters in very high regard.The lifestyle is active all four seasons, with biking, golf, bird watching, boating and all things snow. Winter is no deterrent to life in the great outdoors. It is, in fact, the catalyst. Stowe is sometimes referred to as the Aspen of the East. A resort with rustic elegance, its trails were cut by hand during the Depression Era, which gives many a handcrafted quality. Killington is the largest destination ski resort on the East Coast, comprised of seven mountains. Stratton is a snowboarders magnet because of its terrain parks.

Gibson Sothebys International Realtys vast network of real estate experts covers nearly every corner of the world. If you're considering purchasing a primary residence or vacation home in New Hampshire or Vermont, you'll certainly find your dream homebe it a historic country cottage, luxury waterfront estate, mountainside ski lodge, village townhouse, or equestrian home with miles of farmland. Allow us to connect you with Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty, servicing the real estate needs of buyers and sellers spanning Vermonts Northeast Kingdom to New Hampshires southern border.Contact our Relocation Director, Aimee Rideout, at Aimee.Rideout@GibsonSIR.com.