In 1749, New Hampshire Governor Benning Wentworth chartered the first town in Vermont and named it after -- himself! If you like snow, Bennington, Vermont, might be just the pace for you. Bennington gets, on average, five feet of snow per year. Residents put it to good use by participating in downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowboarding. When you decide it's time to come in from the cold, you can visit Bennington's many museums, theaters, historic sites, restaurants, and shops.
Bennington, the largest town in southern Vermont, is where you will find the Bennington Battle Monument, a memorial to the Battle of Bennington, which took place during the American Revolution. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys (who have no connection to either furniture or coffee) figure prominently in Bennington history. The Battle of Bennington led directly to the successful end of the Revolution. Today, Bennington's 42.5 square miles, located on the western edge of the picturesque Green Mountains, make for a wonderful landing spot for those wanting to find rental apartments.
Moving to Bennington
Places for rent in Bennington are plentiful whether you are looking for studio apartments for rent or a two-bedroom apartment.
Before you start looking for an apartment, you should have enough money to pay your first month's rent and an additional security deposit. Individual rental apartments differ, but you can probably expect that your new landlord will do a credit check and will want to verify your current employment and rental history.
If you are looking for an apartment to rent in Northern Bennington, be aware that you will find more of a selection if you can start looking in the winter or spring.
Transportation in Bennington is mainly by car. Two bus lines operate here: The Green Mountain Community Express serves US 7, 7A, and Route 9, Yankee Trails World Travel runs a bus line from Bennington to Albany's Greyhound Bus Terminal. The William H. Morse State Airport is a state owned airport located three miles west of downtown Bennington. Most residents use either Albany International Airport, 39 miles away in New York State, or Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport, 52 miles from Bennington, for foreign and domestic travel.
Bennington Neighborhoods
Check out the below neighborhoods before deciding on your new apartment or rental home. Each area has its own amenities and attractions.
North Bennington: North Bennington, a registered historic district, is the home of Vermont College, which probably accounts for the fact that 26.5% of North Bennington residents are college students. It is also the home of the Park-McCullough Historic House, a 35-room Victorian mansion described as one of Vermont's jewels. Single family houses and low-rise apartment buildings like the Applegate are located in this area.
Downtown Bennington: The downtown area is filled with shops, restaurants, live theater, craft stores and several museums and galleries. Try Kevin's Sports Club and Restaurant for a casual meal, Allegro Ristorante if you're in the mood for an Italian dinner or Your Belly's Deli for a quick sandwich. Appleridge Apartments are within walking distance of the downtown area. Two bedroom apartments are available here. Cross Hill also has rental apartments in downtown Bennington.
Harwood Hill: This is a scenic area with views of the Green Mountains. Historic Route 7A goes through this region. Places for rent in the residential area of Harwood Hill are mostly small to medium single family homes.
Living in Bennington
Skiers love Vermont, and if you are one of them, you will enjoy living in such close proximity to so many great ski trails. Mount Snow in West Dover is the closest, but Stratton, Bromley, and Stowe are all within easy driving distance. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding are other popular wintertime activities in Vermont.
For more outdoor activities, you can make use of the town operated Willow Park or the Gage Street Recreation Center, which has a year-round indoor swimming pool as well as outdoor softball fields and an outdoor basketball court.
The Vermont Arts Exchange in North Bennington has exhibitions as well as artist and community workspaces. They also host the Basement Music Series that provides year round concerts.
In the downtown area, you'll find the Bennington Museum, the largest Art and History Museum in southern Vermont. This museum has the largest collection of paintings by American folk artist Grandma Moses.
Also in downtown Bennington, Fiddleheads art classes are held in the mezzanine. The building originally opened as a bank in 1929 and much of the d̩cor is from that period.
For live music and fresh food visit the Bennington Farmers Market on Saturday's from s from 10 am to 1 pm. Located in River Walk park on Depot Street, the Market also offers live demonstrations that will teach you the art of pickle making and cooking with garlic scapes.
The Bennington Center for the Arts showcases American Indian art and has a special exhibit on Vermont's Covered Bridges.
At the Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival in August you can purchase original artwork, handmade crafts, and sample local food and wine.
Parades are big in Bennington: St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July all get their own parade as does the Bennington Battle Day Parade, held annually in August.
Festivals include Fallapalooza!, which features store-to-store trick-or-treating on the Saturday before Halloween, The Winter festival and Penguin Plunge at Lake Paran, the Garlic and Herb Festival on Labor Day Weekend, and the Festival of Trees in late November.
Skiing, snowboarding, fine art, local crafts -- Bennington has it all. It's a town that you will enjoy living in all year-round.
