My experience is that people in Vermont are very nice, kind, and welcoming. I’ve lived in 7 states, this has been the friendliest, by far. Some neighbors have no interest in friendship but will help you anytime. I get what you are saying though, sometimes what I would call the hippie culture is a bit overwhelming.

NEK stands out as having particularly beautiful scenery: Craftsbury, Willoughby, and Caspian in particular. I had to look up Richford. Hadn’t heard of it. I see it’s on the western/northern edge of NEK so a long way from those parts. Your flight options out of Montreal would be excellent though.

The more rural you get in Vermont, the more problematic it is to get medical care, cell service, and internet - and typically the further you have to drive for shopping - but people do find ways to make it all work.

If you look at a map of how people voted in each county in the 2020 election, it will show some republican areas in the NEK. My own guess is that you will find the Trumpers in the NEK just as disconcerting as you found the far left in Brattleboro. I wouldn’t say the NEK is more liberal/moderate, I’d say they have more people at both extremes.

So, if you are up for the medical, cell service, and internet challenges, and want what many consider to be the prettiest part of Vermont, and comfortable with MAGA signs, I’d say moving there makes sense.

If you want to move to find a more moderate/liberal area and the medical, cell, and internet challenges would annoy you, I’d consider other options.

For me, being within a reasonably short drive to a ski resort, waterfall, mountain hike, state park, and lake make all the challenges worthwhile.

Good luck, I hope this was accurate assessment and helpful.