I'm in northern Vermont so I am not much help. I actually think that southern VT gets some of the more extreme weather, at least when it comes to storms.
Not quite VT here but right over the border in Grafton NY. Southern VT has some pretty good land, I looked there a lot before I moved to grafton, but the land values there seem to be higher than right over the border in NY or MA.
Central vermont Stockbridge here. I love the the whole state. Green mountains are great seem to get good conditions. Mountains seem to rarely get overly dry but I only moved here from Nh seacoast. Vermont is so pristine thats why I love it and so many small farms all over. The old farmers are still going strong here and there's the whole new generation attracted to the state. Cows sheep goats dairy, vegetables And gmo labeling.