Need some advice about Vermont :)

[janterry]

We are looking to move and are thinking about Southern VT or Mass. In fact, I was scheduled to go look at houses on Friday around the Bratt. area.

I'm posting this asking for some advice/insight into what you will think might happen if Obamacare is gutted and Trumped-Up-Care passed.

If I were to move to MA, I expect that they would continue to provide opportunities to purchase affordable healthcare insurance (as they did prior to the ACA). What about VT? We love it (my daughter and myself) and really feel at home there. But I want to know that I can get us healthcare insurance- and the reality of the current debates in Washington have made me scared.

[caroldansen]

1. Both Vermont and Massachusetts are blue states. They both voted for Hillary. Make sure

the senators there are Democrats.

[janterry]

4. I think VT

would have to invent something to replace the ACA. I assume MA would just go back to what was (I think it's state law that everyone has healthcare). So, IDK.

[JenniferJuniper]

2. I can't speak to VT but MA

had Romneycare since 2006 and from what I've read, it is in the best position to withstand TrumpCare changes because of this. It's also has a much larger population than VT (close to 7 million vs. 630,000) so that might be important. I reckon there are no guarantees anywhere though.

As to the other poster's question, both MA senators and all Congressmen are currently Democrats. Senators in VT are Bernie (I) and democrat Pat Leahy. The lone Congressman is a Democrat.

[janterry]

3. Yes

This is what I thought. IDK. We really like VT - but I couldn't find that they had anything prior to the ACA. I know they wanted a single-payer, and it was discussed, but that was too costly (and - as you note, it's a small state without the resources of MA).

[JenniferJuniper]

5. Some of the towns in Northwest MA

near the VT border are quite lovely, and when last I checked, housing was relatively affordable probably given that they are aren't in great commuter locations for most people.

[janterry]

6. I have a daughter

and so High Schools will be important. Good schools = (as you know) more expensive housing.

Brattleboro seemed small and supportive. We're a bit adrift (without much in the way of family anymore), so I wanted a community feel for where we lived. It would really help her .

I've looked at Northampton (and towns nearby) and I can afford condos, but they don't work for us and our very large dog. It's also gotten a lot more developed over the years (I hadn't driven out there in, perhaps, 20 years). Still such a cute downtown! We drove through Belchertown and the like, and it's okay - but also not as community oriented as I wanted.

I looked more towards Springfield (and we can afford plenty there - I could even get a duplex to generate some income) but, my daughter wouldn't thrive in the schools. (The nicer sections of Springfield, I should add!). There are other places, too - Longmeadow - that are possible (houses we could afford), but............We really fell in love with the small hippy feel of Brattleboro.

IDK. I really need healthcare. I lived without it for many years 'down South', and I'm too old to take chances like that.