Welcome to Vermont! This New England state is known for its stunning fall foliage, breathtaking mountains, and dairy and maple syrup production. If you’re looking for a tranquil New England hideaway, Vermont is the place for you.
Choosing the right place to live can be hard, so we’ve done the work for you and compiled a list of the seven best places to live in Vermont based on Niche.com ratings and research of renter preferences.
The seven best places to live in Vermont in 2025 are:
Burlington
Tucked along the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, Burlington is Vermont’s biggest city. Church Street Marketplace in Downtown Burlington is the center of this quaint metropolis, filled with both major retailers and locally owned restaurants and shops. Attend one of the several annual events at Church Street Marketplace, including the St. Patrick’s Day truck parade and the Discover Jazz Festival.
Burlington is also an athlete’s dream. Not only are skiing, snowboarding, and hiking opportunities at nearby mountains abundant, but the natural beauty is unmatched. As summer turns to fall and the trees begin to turn red, orange, and gold, hike Eagle Mountain to take in the views. The Ethan Allen Homestead Park offers four miles of walking trails and a peek into Vermont’s history.
Colchester
Colchester is located just north of Burlington along Malletts Bay. Contrary to the city center of Burlington, Colchester is surrounded by nature. There are several state parks nearby, making it easy to find a spot to hike, bike, or fish.
Within city limits is Niquette Bay State Park, tucked on the northern end of Mallets Bay. This park is popular for its sand beach and limestone cliffs. The Sandbar Wildlife Management area nearby is a great fishing spot, and the Colchester Causeway allows you to bike down the middle of Lake Champlain.
Essex Junction
Formerly part of the town of Essex, Essex Junction is a city center along the Winooski River. Events at the Champlain Valley Exposition keep residents busy, and locally owned restaurants along Pearl Street offer cuisines for every taste. The Burlington International Airport is just across the river, making it easy to plan a vacation.
Essex Junction still enjoys its fair share of natural beauty, though. Indian Brook Park sits between Essex Junction and Colchester and provides the perfect camping spot. To the east of Essex Junction are several maple syrup and dairy farms that host public tours. Stop by to see how your maple syrup is made or just enjoy a bottle of fresh maple syrup!
Hartford
Not to be confused with the Connecticut city of the same name, Hartford is a quiet area on the New Hampshire border. Its proximity to New Hampshire places it just a quick drive from Dartmouth College in Hanover, allowing residents to enjoy the college’s facilities and events like the Hood Museum of Art and the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
White River Junction is the town’s historic downtown area and houses several local favorite restaurants like Tuckerbox and C&S Pizza. Northern Stage, the local performing arts center, hosts productions all year round, ensuring residents don’t have to cross state lines to enjoy the arts.
Montpelier
Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the United States, has it all: art, nature, local businesses, and a warm community to rival the cold winter months. While not Vermont’s queen city, Montpelier has plenty of New England charm. The downtown area along Main Street is popular for its shops, restaurants, and views of the Winooski River.
Montpelier is home to the oldest maple farm in Vermont, Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks. Their Sugar on Snow events honor the New England tradition of pouring hot maple syrup over snow or crushed ice to create a taffy-like candy. For a summer treat, try their maple creemee, a soft-serve ice cream flavored with maple syrup.
Shelburne
Tucked along Shelburne Bay, Shelburne is a hotspot of classic Vermont institutions. Shelburne Farms is a major dairy manufacturer that works to educate the community about sustainable agricultural practices. The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory is a toy manufacturer that offers factory tours for $5 and under. The Shelburne Museum is home to 39 buildings that tell Vermont’s story.
One of the notable buildings at the Shelburne Museum campus is the Colchester Reef Lighthouse. This lighthouse, formerly located on the Colchester Causeway, began construction in 1870 and guided mariners for the next 60 years. The lighthouse was abandoned in 1933. In 1952, it was dismantled piece by piece and moved to the Shelburne Museum, where it now serves the purpose of educating visitors on Vermont’s maritime history.
St. Albans
St. Albans, just a few miles inland in northern Vermont, is nicknamed “Rail City” for its role as the headquarters for the Central Vermont Railroad. The city’s quiet atmosphere is complemented by the classic New England downtown area, where restaurants and shops line Main Street.
Taylor Park sits in the middle of Downtown St. Albans and offers a calming meeting spot for residents and visitors. The city often hosts community events at Taylor Park, like the St. Albans Summer Concert Series.
Ready to make the move?
If Vermont has caught your eye, take the next step with Apartments.com! Whether you’re dropping in for a short-term lease or hoping to set down roots, Apartments.com has the tools to help you find the perfect place. Navigate housing across neighborhoods with our customized search engine and use our customizable filters to narrow your search by price, amenities, and floor plan.
Wherever you are and wherever you’re going, the options are endless with Apartments.com.
