2/3/18: In Governor Phil Scott’s State of the State address in January, he expressed concern about our state’s aging population and shrinking work force. And during Gov. Scott’s budget address at the end of January, he pledged to grow our state’s workforce by attracting young families to the state. The governor is seeking $3.2 million to fund this effort and facilitate the relocations.
Jennifer and Jesse Bliss, and their 6-year-old daughter Kayla, relocated to South Burlington from Florida in April of 2017. The family had no Vermont ties and before moving here, they took two exploratory trips and watched a lot of Stuck in Vermont videos to get a feel for life in the Green Mountains. They were unaware of the state’s push to attract outsiders, and chose to move to Vermont for the good schools, seasons and adventures.
Eva first met the Blisses last summer when they sang along on the 500th Stuck in Vermont soundtrack during Waking Windows. The Blisses work from home all week – both of them digitally commute to out-of-state jobs – and spend their weekends exploring their new state. They’ve mastered the art of winter clothing and have already visited an impressive number of places and events around the state.
We caught up with the Blisses at the Penguin Plunge in February at the Burlington Waterfront on a freezing cold day. And we sat down to talk about their impressions of this state as they approach their one year anniversary as Vermonters.
Are the Blisses the future of Vermont? Only time will tell.
You can follow the Blisses’ Vermont adventures on Jesse’s instagram @blissjesse.
Music: Kat Wright, By My Side, “Come Dance,” “All About You” & “By My Side”
This episode of Stuck in Vermont was made possible by
Hotel Vermont and New England Federal Credit Union
Related Stories
This article appears in Mar 7-13, 2018.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
I moved back to Vermont after being gone 20 years and regret coming back to my home state . I came back here and unfortunately got bit my a tick and then I was at the mercy of the VT. healthcare system which is
basically ignoring a growing epidemic in their own state. If you move to VT be very careful about ticks because
the healthcare system here will do nothing to help you !
I was laid off last summer, have been searching for a job for more than 6 months now and have recently begun considering expanding my job search nationally. I don’t want to move. I love Vermont, love Burlington and love my house, but this job market has been tough (even though the unemployment rate is at an all time low). After watching this episode, there’s NO WAY I can move. This video has given me renewed vigor to keep searching here until I land a job that I love.
Dani, thanks so much for posting and I wish you luck in your job search AND in staying stuck in VT with us. 🙂
Ted, I am really sorry to hear that and hope you got the treatment you needed. Take care.
They seem like lovely people and I am happy for them…but obviously they have little problem with affordability and have the financial freedom to make these sorts of decisions. Is this the face of gentrification?