Residents of the idyllic hamlet of Burlington, Vt., firmly believe in that age-old Darwinian axiom: survival of the fittest.

How can you tell? Well, not to get all braggy, but your newly adopted lakeside hometown annually ranks among the healthiest cities in the country. And thanks to Vermont's famously back-to-the-land, self-sufficient ethos, BTV is a good place to be when the shit hits the fan.

So if you're here to hunker down — for college, for work, for zombie attacks, for a scary U.S. presidency — What's Good has some survival advice for you.

The WG staff has painstakingly combed the Queen City (that's another nickname for BTV, BTW) to bring you the insider intel you need to stay alive and thrive in your new surroundings. This handy guide is packed with preparedness pointers both practical (such as surviving the winter) and fun (where to get a craft beer buzz, shred mountains or lounge by the lake).

You don't have to thank us. But you're welcome.

In this book, you'll find recommendations for what to do, see, eat, drink and hear. Where can you get a deal on meals? Which Vermont bands do you need to add to your Spotify playlists? Which festivals should be on your calendar, stat? The answers are just clicks away.

You'll also discover dozens of ways to enjoy the great outdoors, from skiing and swimming to mini golf and disc golf. And get shopping suggestions for where to gear up — as well as where to snag cheap home goods and rare used records. And we'll clue you into some of the peculiarities of life in Vermont. Pop quiz: Raise your hand if you know what a "flatlander" is. (Hint: If you're reading this, you probably are one. But go here for the answer.)

For newcomers and longtime residents alike, What's Good aims to highlight the very best of Burlington (and beyond). But it won't tell you everything — there's much more to explore. By using this guide as a starting point to surviving the urban-ish wilds of Burlington, you'll be well on your way to doing just that.

Survival Tips

To point you in the right direction, we've sprinkled some life-saving tips throughout this book. Here's the first:

In case of emergency, keep a "go bag"packed with essential items. Think clean water, duct tape and a can of Heady Topper. (JK about that last one.) Throughout What's Good, we'll introduce you to some "survival guides" — read: notable locals — who'll tell you what to pack. And may we also recommend the following?

Seven Days: Vermont's award-winning newsweekly (and What's Good's sister publication) comes out every Wednesday and contains vital info on living here. You can pick up a copy — for free — at more than 1,100 locations. Each issue features music listings, album reviews, a calendar of local events, cartoons, political coverage, personals, food news, job ads, and in-depth stories and interviews. Download the Seven Days app, follow us on social media or visit sevendaysvt.com to keep up.