Additional Coverage:
- They got priced out of NYC, so they bought a $160,000 house in Vermont — but country life doesn’t mean they’re ‘suddenly wealthy’ (newsbreak.com)
### Millennial Couple Trades NYC Life for a Vermont Fixer-Upper
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**Key Points:**
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Taylor and Tatum Barnes left their hectic NYC life for an affordable home in Vermont.
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They bought a one-bedroom fixer-upper with 2.6 acres for $160,000.
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Country living offers a refreshing change from city life, Taylor noted.
After four years in a Brooklyn studio apartment, Taylor (34) and Tatum Barnes (30) decided to leave New York City. They wanted an affordable, permanent home with space to garden and start homesteading.
*Two Of Us Photography.
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The pandemic allowed remote work, so they took a road trip and fell in love with Vermont’s Upper Valley. They first moved to a 350-square-foot studio in Hartford, Vermont, near Dartmouth College.
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The studio was a temporary solution while they searched for a permanent home. Then they discovered a listing for a one-bedroom fixer-upper in Pomfret.
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The 650-square-foot cottage, once an office, sat on 2.6 acres. Originally listed at $225,000, they bought it for $160,000 in March 2021. Renovations included fixing a broken sliding door and installing solar panels.
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Tatum packed and moved many times in summer 2020, but settling into their Vermont home felt like a relief. Renovations were ongoing, as they expected their first child soon.
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They also run a small campsite on their land, with amenities like a firepit and a composting toilet. Most guests visit between April and November.
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Vermont life is quite different from NYC. They now drive everywhere and wave to neighbors, a contrast from the anonymity of the city.
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While they initially struggled to make friends due to the pandemic, having a child helped them connect with other families.
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City living is getting more expensive; many families are moving to suburbs or rural areas. However, Tatum noted that the money saved on rent goes into home repairs, so their financial situation balances out.
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Their advice for city dwellers considering a rural move? Let your guard down. Rural areas often have supportive communities, and the main threats are more likely to be from wildlife than people.
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For anyone keen to build or renovate a dream home, Taylor and Tatum’s story is an inspiring example of making a major life change for a slower, more connected lifestyle.
**Read the original article on Business Insider.**