An Unlikely Vermonter

An Unlikely Vermonter
By: Ryan Miller

I’ll be honest; Vermont is not my ideal place. I don’t really like the outdoors; I’m really a city person. I just love the city. I grew up on the North Shore outside of Boston and even though I was little, I loved going into the city. On Friday afternoons my mom and I would often take the train into Boston, leaving from the small station down our block. I watched the tall buildings slowly appear then disappear as we entered North Station. From there we would often meet my dad at the Science Museum; my favorite exhibit was the big dig. I was always amazed by the complexity of so many things in the city. Then, five years ago my parents decided to move to a small town in northern Vermont called Fairfield. The two thousand census tallied 1,800 residents. Even though I was only seven, I was far from pleased.
Displeasure aside, Vermont has brought many things that now define me. Without Vermont I would have likely never began playing the oboe, which I now play in the Vermont Youth Sinfonia. This is because at the new hospital my mom worked at, my current oboe teacher (who is also a nurse) mentioned that oboe might be a good instrument for me. My mom persuaded me from there. I believe moving from the city also sparked my now great interest for architecture. No longer seeing the tall buildings I used to stare at likely made me want begin drawing them. Music and architecture are now a major part who I am.
Like everything in life, the city is good in moderation. Even though I love Manhattan, I could never stand living there. That's what's important to me about Vermont; it provides a place for a peaceful state of mind. For me, Vermont’s a place away from the crime, health and environmental issues, and crowds of the city.
Even though there are many things I appreciate about Vermont, if I could live here in ten years I don’t believe I would. Like many young people considering leaving the state, I'm not sure Vermont will provide the job opportunities a larger state or city could provide. Vermont's slow rate of growth would also likely make it hard to survive as an architect; which I hope to become. The schools I would like to get into aren't in Vermont, either.
If I could change something about Vermont, I would do more things to stimulate economic development. With this, I would hope Vermont might begin to grow and begin having more options of things to do. I appreciate the rural feel of Vermont, but for people like me who aren't outdoor enthusiasts, Vermont can be a little dull. I enjoy what larger states and cities have to offer, museums, performances, restaurants, and stores. In cities I love how no matter where you are or what time it is, there is always something interesting to do. I would like to see Vermont stay a state known for its beautiful landscapes and rural small towns but still have more activities to offer.
As for what it means to be a Vermonter, that’s still something I’m discovering. With every Vermonter I meet it changes a little bit, learning what’s most important to them about Vermont. Maybe it’s the people, the landscape, the animals, or whatever else may be important to the many individuals Vermont claims residence to. I still miss the city and what it has to offer, but I can’t help but to appreciate what Vermont has changed and brought into my life. Although Vermont may not be my favorite place, with every glimpse of the gleaming contours of our beautiful state I begin to appreciate more and more of what Vermont has to offer.