2021 Best Places to Live in Chittenden County

South Burlington

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 4.34 out of 5  32 reviews

Current Resident: I’ve lived in South Burlington for 15 out of the 19 years I’ve been on this earth other and I honestly love it despite having experienced cities and towns in multiple other states. It’s a small town there isn’t a whole lot around here but it’s a great place to grow up I would say, it’s very green as well trees are everywhere. There’s no shortage of hiking paths and scenic routes throughout the mountains of the state which is something I’ve grown to really admire, you can’t get that in most any other state and here in Vermont it’s literally everywhere. The town has definitely been modernized but in such a way that Mother Nature compliments it and I really admire that, the only complaint I would have is the amount of potholes in our roads. Other than that if you enjoy small town life, a friendly community, and nature I would say South Burlington is the town for you!
Read 32 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• 19,162 Population

Williston

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  9 reviews

Visitor: What isn't to love? The school system is A+, the parks are lovely, and the shops and amenitites make life easy-peasy. Within a mile you can experience the more urban feel of all that the material world has to offer (big box stores and many grocery options), or head into the quant historic village of Williston and stroll along the bike path that winds around the town and through a beautiful park. Head out of the village and you can go into the country for a farmer's market and beautiful views of Mt. Mansfield and Camels' hump. It's the goldilocks of Vermont towns.
Read 9 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 9,686 Population

Shelburne

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 4.5 out of 5  10 reviews

Current Resident: One of the nicest towns in Vermont. The public school is excellent, and there are multiple private schools to pick from. Shelburne has a private beach for residents only, historic Shelburne Farms and Shelburne Museum.
Read 10 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• 7,717 Population

Five Sisters

• Neighborhood in Burlington, VT

• grade A

• grade B

• 1,534 Population

Essex

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 4.1 out of 5  20 reviews

Current Resident: I've enjoyed growing up here! Small, but not too small; We have lots of small town traditions, but we have some of the benefits of a larger town (technically we are the 5th biggest city in VT I think!). Lots of good programs for kids and families.
Read 20 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 21,467 Population

Essex Junction

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 4.25 out of 5  28 reviews

Current Resident: Small town atmosphere with a great sense of community. Great schools. Close to everything Vermont. Outdoor activities,activities, restaurants. Concert and Entertainment events.Safe neighborhoods.
Read 28 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 10,603 Population

Jericho

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 3.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Nearby Resident: Jericho isn't too far away from the big towns and cities around, but it also is in a nice country area. Jericho has lots of old historical areas to visit which are really neat and unique to that town. It has some restaurants and a new market in town which has good choices of local food. Jericho is a very safe town little to no break ins around, and people are very friendly and family oriented. There are lots of events that also go on in the town too. Jericho has a very tight knit community if you need help people will be very willing to help you out.
Read 4 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 5,030 Population

Charlotte

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Charlotte is a perfect, classic little Vermont town. I moved here only about a year ago, and am very much taken with the scenery and the feel of the place. The fall leaves are gorgeous of course, and it has a sort of country quaintness that I have not found anywhere else in the US. All in all, I would say it is a fantastic place to live-- so long as you don't mind the occasional cows crossing the road and of course, shoveling snow.
Read 1 Review

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• 3,820 Population

Burlington

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 4.36 out of 5  84 reviews

Current Resident: Burlington is a very lively city with lots to do! The waterfront is beautifully manicured and open to all, and there's a wonderful bike path to walk or bike on when the weather permits. Church Street Marketplace has a lot of interesting shops many of which carry Vermont-made products such as pottery and paintings made by local artists or Vermont-made beer and liquor. One challenge with living in this city is its affordability particularly the availability of affordable housing. If you're on a tight budget it may be difficult to afford some of the experiences that make this city great.
Read 84 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 42,545 Population

South End

• Neighborhood in Burlington, VT
• Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Niche User: Not much crime takes place in Burlington
Read 2 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 9,818 Population

Underhill

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 4.08 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: Lived in Underhill for the majority of my life. It's a nice small town. There's a state park, with camping spots and hiking trails. Also connected to the Long Trail.
Read 12 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• 3,080 Population

Colchester

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 3.88 out of 5  51 reviews

Current Resident: My experience with Colchester, VT has been very good. The town has many amenities such as beaches, hiking trails and so much more. Colchester is a very active town and you will see people walking, riding bikes and running-alone or with their families-and is also super friendly. Everyone is more than willing to stop during a walk and strike up a conversation with anyone. It is like small town living with the amenities of a big city right next door!
Read 51 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• 17,303 Population

Hill Section (Hill District)

• Neighborhood in Burlington, VT
• Rating 3.69 out of 5  16 reviews

Niche User: As a college student, my experience of living in Burlington, Vermont has been a pleasant one. Downtown Burlington is always filled with life and excitement: there is always something interesting going on! If I could do it all over again, I would pursue a summer internship in the area so that I could live in Burlington during the summer as well. Vermont is beautiful all year round but there is nothing like spending a summer in Vermont. Burlington is a biking/long-boarding friendly town so I always feel safe when I take my board or bike out to do some shopping or cruise around town. The lake at the bottom of the hill (Lake Champlain) offers great views, a wonderful spot for relaxation, fishing and even swimming. In the future I see the housing infrastructure improving, as most of the homes in Burlington are old are due for reconstruction/refurbishing.
Read 16 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 13,451 Population

Downtown

• Neighborhood in Burlington, VT
• Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 6,895 Population

New North End

• Neighborhood in Burlington, VT
• Rating 3.06 out of 5  18 reviews

Niche User: My experience living in Burlington, Vermont has been more than I could ever ask for. What I enjoy most about Burlington is the community as a whole. Everyone seems to care about each other and when you walk say downtown, so many people are there enjoying what Burlington has to offer. Whether it be holding the door open for someone, or a simple smile, the citizens of Burlington seem to care about the quality of life here. What I also love about Burlington is the land itself. The green mountains and Lake Champlain are two of many aspects of Burlington that contribute to its beauty. For the future, I can only see Burlington getting a healthier, cleaner, and even more comfortable/safe place to live.
Read 18 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 13,690 Population

Old North End

• Neighborhood in Burlington, VT
• Rating 3.42 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: The ONE is arguably one of the most diverse sections of Burlington. It contributes great culture to Burlington with many stores and shops owned by refugees.
Read 12 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• 10,920 Population

Winooski

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 4.5 out of 5  10 reviews

Niche User: I love the vibe in the Winooski Circle. It's very hip, friendly and I feel safe! I study in the area and it is a quaint place to live as a young professional. However, right now it is very hard to find a place to live!
Read 10 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade D+

• 7,242 Population

Milton

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 3.6 out of 5  10 reviews

Current Resident: Milton is a nice town to grow up in, and is in location in Vermont where there are lots of things to do compared to other towns. It is a nice distance from Burlington, the lake, and ski resorts. The school system is decent, though middle school and early high school education is lacking compared to some other school systems. Overall it was a very positive experience growing up in Milton!
Read 10 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade C+

• 10,882 Population

Richmond

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 3.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Former Resident: Richmond is a small, family oriented town and it's about half an hour south of the largest city in Vermont. The residents know their neighbors and always have a cup of sugar that can be borrowed. It's far from a vacation spot but if you're looking for a place to move to, it can't be beat.
Read 5 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 387 Population

Bolton

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Small town feelings near all the amenities. Close to the highway yet rural. Part of a great school system.
Read 1 Review

• grade A minus

• grade A

• 1,240 Population

Huntington

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: A town filled with beauty, hiking trails, water spots and a great elementary school. VERY quiet, VERY safe.
Read 2 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• 1,966 Population

Hinesburg

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Niche User: I live in a very busy area of town, but the low speed limit keeps the environment a lot safer than bigger Vermont cities. Although the town population has grown significantly, nearly everyone knows everyone here. Everyone looks out for each other. The construction of more and more businesses as well as homes continuously grows the town and opens up even more opportunities for everyone living here
Read 2 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• 4,541 Population

Westford

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 3.29 out of 5  7 reviews

Niche User: The level of crime in my town is at a minimum, and I would say that most people in the town feel very safe. We don't have a town police department, but when they are needed, it doesn't take much time for them to arrive. Overall, I like my town and I feel safe living in it.
Read 7 Reviews

• grade B

• grade A minus

• 2,193 Population

St. George

• Town in Vermont
• Rating 3.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Niche User: Not too much crime, police are pretty responsive, generally a safe area
Read 6 Reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• 594 Population

Waterfront

• Neighborhood in Burlington, VT

• grade unavailable

• grade unavailable

• 1,229 Population