What is It Like Living in Stowe, Vermont?

Living in Stowe, Vermont can offer both lifelong residents and visitors a unique experience. For those who are considering relocating to the area, understanding all that Stowe has to offer is key in making the decision to move. With a small-town, rural vibe and plenty of opportunity for recreation, shopping, and dining, there is something for everyone in Stowe. In this guide, we will discuss all that makes Stowe, Vermont special and explore all that living here offers.

Geographic Information

Stowe is a town located in Lamoille County within the state of Vermont. It is southeast of the intersection of Highways U.S. 15 and U.S. 100, which serves as the main thoroughfare into town. Stowe is less than an hour’s drive from Burlington and Montpelier, the two main cities in Vermont. It is also a mere six hours’ drive from Boston and four hours from New York City. City-data reports that in 2018, there were 4,416 people living in Stowe, representing a decrease of -3.3% since the 2000 census.

Weather

Residents of Stowe face cold winters and warm summers with temperatures averaging 76° in July and 19° in January. The town receives mostly overcast skies in the colder months and clear to partly cloudy skies during the summer with occasional rainstorms throughout the year. Weather and Climate reports that Stowe sees over 50 inches of snowfall each year, making it a popular destination for skiing and other snow sports.

Cost of Living

The average cost of living in Stowe is relatively expensive compared to some other popular Vermont towns. According to Area Vibes, a one bedroom apartment typically runs around $1,250 per month and utilities average around $120-$150 each month depending on usage and provider. Grocery bills typically run around 11% higher than the US average and most goods are more expensive than average due to the high cost of shipping to rural parts of Vermont like Stowe.

Recreation

Living in Stowe comes with its share of outdoor recreation opportunities. Stowe Mountain Resort offers alpine skiing and snowboarding from November through April with terrain suitable for all ages and abilities. Other winter activities include snowmaking, ice skating, and snowshoeing. When summer arrives, the area becomes thick with campers and hikers exploring all that the Green Mountain National Forest has to offer. The resorts golf courses are open year-round offering challenging rounds of golf set against a picturesque backdrop, as well as an indoor golf simulator. Stowe also offers plenty of opportunities for swimming, white water rafting, fishing and lake activities such as boating or kayaking along with a multitude of biking trails throughout the area.

Shopping & Dining

Stowe offers plenty of options when it comes to shopping and dining out. Tourists and locals alike frequent the shops that line Main Street or take a leisurely stroll through the boutiques at Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa for unique finds. Many galleries line Main Street with artwork from local artisans including paintings, photography and pottery. Dining in Stowe is just as diverse as its shopping offerings with menus featuring fresh seasonal ingredients from nearby farms, as well as global cuisine such as French, Chinese, Mexican and more. The intimacy of these small town eateries is hard to come by most places these days making them quite popular among locals and tourists alike. A favorite among many is Michael’s on the Hill with its traditional French cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients and a view of Mt. Mansfield to accompany your meal.

Cultural & Community Life

Living in Stowe means short drives to nearby museums geared towards local history including Elmore state park which has interactive nature exhibits specifically designed for younger visitors taking family field trips to the park or visiting the more traditional Shelburne Museum which has more than 60 exhibits onsite ranging from folk art to Impressionist paintings featuring fifteen different buildings along 9 acres of grounds. When it comes to local festivals, Stowe is host to two annual events: The Vermont Maple Festival kicks off every April with activities such as free tapped maple syrup samples and cook offs with recipes featuring local maple syrup while October plays host to the Harvest Festival offering a wide array of family fun activities such as hayrides, a pumpkin scavenger hunt and live music. Community life plays an important role throughout the year in Stowe with the town sponsoring events such as First Fridays which are held each month during warmer months featuring live music and store discounts kicking off at 5:30 p.m., as well as holiday celebrations like Winter Carnival in January where during three days participants can enjoy winter fun such as fire pits throughout town, ice hockey on the pond at Top Notch Resort & Spa and hot chocolate tastings at various honey stops around town.

Conclusion: What is it Like Living in Stowe, Vermont?

Living in Stowe, Vermont offers residents an uncommon experience including a rural vibe, plenty of recreational activities, unique shopping and dining experiences, festivals throughout the year and an active community life for all ages. Cold winters make for excellent skiing opportunities while warm summers bring with them plenty of outdoor activities ideal for exploring what Stowe has to offer. Though committing to moving to such a small rural location may be difficult for some due to the high cost of living, those who decide to make Stowe their home will find no shortage of excitement or things do throughout all four seasons of the year.