Waitsville, Vermont (population 1,700) is an interesting retirement choice for someone who enjoys the outdoors and doesn’t mind cold weather. Often thought of together with the small adjacent town of Warren, Waitsfield is just a few miles from 3 top Vermont ski resorts, Sugarbush, Sugarbush North, and Mad River Glen. The town itself is cute and exudes a New England feeling as it meanders along Route 100. There is good but limited shopping here, or one can drive a short distance to Montpelier (the State Capital) or Burlington, home of the University of Vermont and a port on Lake Champlain.
Many people choose to retire here because it is far enough north in Vermont that it discourages many New York weekenders and the traffic and prices their approval can bring. It does get very cold here in winter, but the skiing (downhill or cross country) is usually good. Sugarbush Mountain is a very big resort with golf and tennis too. Mad River Glen is one of the most unusual ski resorts anywhere. It is a cooperative and is a refreshing throw back to the early days of skiing in the 1950’s and 60’s – before the valet took your skis off your car for you. Other seasons are delightful in this region as well (except perhaps the mud season) with autumn perhaps being the best. For profiles on over 600 cities and towns go to reviews of the best retirement communities . Or for more details and information about how to retire in Vermont. Picture of Downtown Waitsfield courtesy of Wikipedia and Mickmaguire.
Many people choose to live in a rural environment on large lots, although there are also many condos available near the ski mountains. The median home value was $244,600 in early 2019.
The winter season tends to be long, cold, and dark, unless you love winter sports! It is a very small town.
The economy is driven by tourism. There are still some hardy farmers and foresters in the area.
Warren and Waitsville are located on the eastern flank of the Green Mountains in north central Vermont, at the southern end of the Mad River Valley. The mountains are so rugged that very few roads lead east and west. Lake Champlain is not far to the west as the crow flies.
The Joslin Library is quite small. The Warren Public Library is bigger and open 6 days a week and 5 evenings. The Frank Covino Academy of Art is here. Many artists live and display in the area. There are 5 major colleges within 50 miles that have major cultural offerings. Those include the University of Vermont, Dartmouth, and Middlebury College.
Gifford Medical Center is 20 miles away in Randolph. The ski resorts operate small emergency clinics.