What Makes Burlington VT a great city to live and work?

Its no surprise to me that Burlington, VT was just named one of Kiplingers Best Cities of 2010 As a native Vermonter, I have always known the benefits of living in this beautiful State. From the pristine shores of Lake Champlain, to the seemingly endless mountain peaks- Vermont has it all. This past weekend I was overwhelmed for the love for our State as I was cruising the neighboring towns of Colchester, Burlington, Shelburne, and Charlotte on a long boat excursion with my wife and three children. We encountered scores of fisherman, kayakers, and pleasure cruisers alike, all enjoying the 80 degree temperature, the pristine water, and clear air. On our cruise we were able to see some of the wonderful lakefront retreats Vermont has to offer on our beautiful lake. From the quaint beach front bungalows and camps on the sandy shores of Colchester, to the rolling green filled lawns of the estates of Shelburne and Charlotte, buyers can find their dream lakefront property in Vermont. So when I read the article, I was not surprised. I actually had a thoughtwhat took you so long to realize Burlington was the wonderful place that it is? With strong employers like Fletcher Allen Health Care, IBM, and the University of Vermont, Vermonts economy is in a strong position to head into the next decade with success. This, coupled with the Green movement taking hold and a stable real estate market are sure to equate to success for all. I can only hope that my children have the same feelings of pride and happiness when they cruise the lake with their children. At this point, the future looks bright.