I can absolutely see Vermont. We had the opportunity to make that move three times, and didn't pull the trigger. We had school issues, we had elderly parent issues, and in one case the more I dug into the job {which was on the surface one of the best in the state}, I just could not pull the trigger. The company just would never be a real leader in their niche. Couldn't do it. We still may end up there. The big drawback is that we have salt water in our veins, as dumb as that may sound. And we're nodtloking at this point to have three homes. Nope.
Those who think that you're giving up a lot haven't spent enough time there, skied there enough, etc. I grew up with a ski home in Stowe, and we bought our first ski home there. We were very close to "moving back" a few years ago and when the Vail acquisition of the ski area took place, decided to sit back and observe for a couple of years, anyways. We loved the Stowe we knew, not so sure that we'd love today's Stowe the same.
At one time I mentioned to Tony C that I think I've skied close to 300 areas world wide, large and small. As a home base, Stowe has a LOT to offer.
Vermont is a special place. We also have another plan that involves Maine. No place in the East that I prefer to ski than Sugarloaf, and the Maine coast is pretty special. Portland is a great little "city", by pretty much any measure, too. If I were a generation younger, and had the chops to start an entrepreneurial venture again, I'd be ALL OVER Portland. No question. At his point, we might be faster up and East on the Coast {and at Sugarloaf}.
Spend a lot of time "West." Lots of huge pluses, depending on location. No question. I think for us, doing a fair amount of visiting makes the most sense. We'd struggle to make the numbers work to be where we'd Ideally like be, were we headed that way. We also need to factor in where our adult kids might put down roots. Which is another very, very interesting equation.
We have lived in the same town for most of 40 years. We have roots and friends, and in many ways it's very special. Now off the hook expensive. Maybe time make a change. Our town changes a great deal every year. More Range Rovers.
It's interesting to think this through. The I was pretty deep into my career, NOBODY had every thought of working remotely. There was no internet. My cell phone was a $1600 phone hardwired in my car. I recall being in a tedious meeting with the senior management team of my company, where the head of whatever we called IT, was trying to convince us that everybody would have a PC on their desk, and that they would not be made by IBM. The CEO said "We don't follow fads and buy gimmicks here!" Real visionary, HUH?
Point being that being near or in ski country and having a decent income had different options then. I'm jealous.
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Is it also likely some folks pass away? 
