What are the investments? Why hoard the houses rather than flip, rent, whatever?

Where is this coming from?

Sooo North Korea ?

Why do I know 15 people exactly like this

This is really good insight, thanks for sharing. Do you object to multi-unit dwellings generally or just the aesthetics of the ones that have been built? They seem like a logical option for people who don’t want a big house (elderly, young).

I’ve never seen a beautiful suburb myself, even when the houses are pretty. Not being a snob at all. It’s just a really inefficient allocation of space.

I have a client who can’t even build a modest home on spear st. For less than 4 million.

I hear the machines are down this morning.

Who do they think out of staters are buying these houses from? All that money that people are paying when they buy houses at these inflated rates is going to...Vermonters.

Jim really was the Eyore of VT politics.

Ah gotcha

They exist in VT too.

We need to pass statewide zoning regulation overrides for the construction of permanent primary residential housing.

The world would be a better place if micro and macro economics along with accounting and ops management were core curriculum for all majors.

"The Golden Mile" problem. There's a certain "Break even" point with efficiency vs population density involving cost per user to maintain. Pulling numbers out of the air to explain, it comes down to something like the provider having to spend $10k/yr(probably more than that) to run a switches and repeaters and string a line to get Bob, who lives 5 miles away from anyone else, his internet that's only paying in $75 a month. Whereas if you had 100 subscribers all on top of eachother, your marginal cost per subscriber all gets absorbed.

Whenever I read something like this, I think of Sharon and Hartland. Both are in the Upper Valley and pretty close to major employers (DHMC, etc). Neither town has any kind of zoning and there has been minimal housing development, which bucks the theory the author is presenting. That’s not to say that exclusionary zoning in rich towns isn’t a problem — it is — but rather to say that we shouldn’t accept it as the being the only problem.

Turns out, solving the housing market is not as simple as opening up the “supply spigot.” Land prices, costs of goods, labor cost, etc all matter for getting housing developed. And all of those things are sky high in Vermont. So when developers are targeting places where they think their projects will pencil out financially, it leaves out a lot of Vermont.

On top of that, when you zoom out and see that the housing crisis is a nationwide crisis, there’s not much hope for the market to correct itself.

When you have this type of market failure for an essential good/service, the only viable solution is government intervention. We need community land trusts, more investment in affordable housing for low- and middle-incomes, and increased tenant protections (such as just-cause eviction). We pay for that with things like higher transfer taxes on sales of second homes. This won’t solve all our issues but it’s better than just hoping the market will fix itself.

Musk maybe kind of a shitbag but you really don't want the government involved with providing the internet than it has to.

ChatGPT's thoughts on your question - one fail is that there are six seasons and how is Ben & Jerry's a unique natural attraction? - guess us humans have a little time before AI takes over...

Sure, I'd be happy to answer your questions about Vermont!

• Vermont is known for its beautiful nature, including the Green Mountains, picturesque forests, and stunning lakes and rivers. There are many outdoor activities you can do in Vermont, including hiking, skiing, snowboarding, biking, and kayaking, among others.
• Some unique natural attractions in Vermont include the state's covered bridges, which can be found throughout the state, as well as the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury, which offers tours and tastings.
• Vermont is also known for its local food scene, with a focus on farm-to-table dining and a variety of artisanal foods. Some of the state's most popular foods include maple syrup, cheese, cider donuts, and craft beer.
• Vermont has four distinct seasons, each with its own unique charm. Many people enjoy the fall season, when the leaves change colors and the weather is crisp and cool. Winter is also popular for skiing and other winter sports, while spring and summer offer a chance to enjoy the state's natural beauty and outdoor activities.
• There are many things to do for fun in Vermont, from outdoor adventures to cultural events and festivals. Popular activities include skiing and snowboarding, visiting local farms and breweries, exploring small towns, and attending events like the Vermont Maple Festival and the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival.
• Burlington is often considered one of the best cities to visit in Vermont. Located on the shore of Lake Champlain, Burlington offers a variety of cultural attractions, including museums, galleries, and live music venues. The city is also home to a vibrant food scene, with many farm-to-table restaurants and local breweries. Additionally, Burlington is a great base for exploring other parts of the state, including the nearby Green Mountains and Lake Champlain Islands.

Rural Electrification Act

I also think that Act 250 is necessary for environmental protection. However, Act 250 as it stands is also greatly in need of reform. Too often it is misused to stop reasonable, well-planned and necessary development. There are plenty of places in this state where affordable, middle income housing could've been built without hurting the environment, which was stopped by the misuse and abuse of Act 250. I don't think Act 250 should be repealed: I think it needs to be reformed to keep people from abusing it for their own personal agendas.

Private property is a social construct.

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You win the internet today sir or madam. Please accept my humble upvote in appreciation for your brilliance!

It’s not hard to write like this when you grew up in VT and then left for 20 years as and adult before returning. It’s basically a composite of several people I knew growing up. Also, those kids names are all real, they were all peers.

Vermont is a very eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary life snuggled into the crooks and crannies of the Green Mountains and along the shore of Lake Champlain. About 60 % of our roads are not paved, and at the end of winter or during thaw cycles your vehicle can literally get stuck for days. Vermonters are good neighbors, but like their privacy. Vermont has a lot of land based economies, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and in the Northeast Kingdom timber management. So many of us work the land or work with people who work the land. We are more impressed with your 15 year old flannel shirt than your new Gucci handbag. (And yes, a woman in flannel, Carhartts and muck boots is a damn attractive sight!) Vermont has a strong conservation ethic, and most people support sustainable land use practices. We are inundated with tourists and that’s understandable, but we also have all the problems the rest of the country has. But, the people here are the best asset in the state. There is a very strong sense of community. Every year we have Town Meeting Day, where the 80 year old dairy farmer sits down next to the young GLBTQ orange haired tattooed Co-op employee and determine how much money the town is going to spend on road grading this year. It’s a pretty special place.

I totally agree.