SJK wrote:
Burlington, Vermont. Hear me out before you tell me how cold it is:
Great roads for riding - a very rural state with an immense road network gives a wide range of options. Some of the best gravel in the US. Lots of great pavement, longish and steepish climbs and long stretches of flats in the valley if you need it. You can pretty much ride comfortably from Mid-April to Nov 1.
Great running - year round, never run out of options. Beautiful mountain runs, easy bike path runs along the lake. Running in the dead of winter is a badge of honor and really fun.
Couple decent pool options.
Fantastic cross-training options with downhill and XC skiing, snowshoeing, skating....
And a fitness-oriented population with lots of cycling, running and try-clubs. Also great food and fun cultural activities - all in a town with just over 40K people.
But yes, it's cold in the winter.
LOL, I would say no way since the OP is looking for someplace warm.
I have lived in Vermont on and off since 1988. I lived in the Burlington area for a solid decade. I now live off-grid in the NEK. I've lived in other areas too around VT.
I guess it's all relative but outside of Burlignton, VT the roads are not that safe in my opinion. As someone who used to do 5-6 hr bike rides every Saturday starting mostly from Richmond, VT, it really sucked. Yes it's pretty, but many people are not friendly towards cyclists. I've had so many incidents over the years, I no longer ride on the paved roads. I know plenty of triathletes who also got fed up with cars/trucks in the Burlington area and ride mostly indoors or on gravel roads/trails. And I also disagree on road conditions. The more rural you get, the worse the roads get in regards to conditions. Yes to gravel riding. We do have great gravel riding throughout the state. But unless that is your passion, I it's not a good reason to move here.
But right now VT is experiencing a huge influx of covid migrants from cities and climate migrants. Housing is crazy expensive and hard to get right now whether renting or buying. You will get into a bidding war with several out-of-staters for a home here. No joke. And it's insanely expensive to live here as well. Food, heating, clothing, everything is more expensive. And property taxes will be at least 4x what you would pay in the southeast of the US. My land is in current use for reduced taxes, but our modest off-grid log home costs us $14K in property taxes alone every year. Not to mention all the other taxes we dish out every year.
Honestly Vermont is the last place I'd recommend moving to with so many downsides. Yes it's pretty, but it will cost you. And it's not as liberal as one might think (another reason people want to move here) And winter can last almost 6 months a year. This October is strange that it is 70F and I'm still swimming outside, but usually it will start snowing in the higher elevations in about a week. And it snows until the beginning of May.
I would move myself for all these reasons but I'm unique in that I don't like the general population and need space from other people. Vermont is a lightly populated state which is good for me. I don't do well in densely populated places. I'll endure all the other downsides to live in peace and quiet. Unless you are a grumpy hermit like myself who needs to live alone in the woods, pass on Vermont.
ETA: the tri scene is pretty weak in my opinion. Nothing at all like Boulder, Tucson or any other place known for triathlon. There is one triathlon club but I never joined as they didn't do much as a group. And it seemed kind of clicky. The same small handful of people in all the photos. I'm a 4x Ironman with podium finishes and I felt snubbed. Also an accomplished masters runner. But the GMAA (running club) has nice folks and do host some good local races.
Death is easy....peaceful. Life is harder.