[tryingtomakeitinCT]

Originally Posted by JViello

I think that's where Hartford would actually shine. For instance we are right there with NYC and Boston for income, yet the average home price for the Hartford Metro is about 245K vs about 500K in NYC and 400K in Boston. Going the other way, in Charlotte it's still 191K yet, they are 119 on the list vs 12 for Hartford for income.

What that spells to me is Hartford is a hidden gem with high incomes and below average real estate prices in comparison. (I know people b*tch about housing costs, but in the light of NYC and Boston etc it's really not that bad - also considering you can make almost as good as a living.)

Now how about them taxes.

Where did the average price for the Hartford Metro area come from? Did it factor in Hartford as well? Because if it did, then the numbers are VERY skewed (lowered by the fact that real estate in Hartford is VERY cheap). If you want to actually compare Boston real estate prices to the ones in CT perhaps you should do it by town. By town you will see that most cities in CT arent a bargain compared to Boston, and that in fact, it is actually lower in Boston. And if you compare the lower real estate areas of CT you will see that Boston has a generally higher HH income.

Boston:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $400,100

Glastonbury, CT:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $381,632

Avon:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $431,301

Farmington:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $330,176

Now compare Boston AND New York City to the "gold coast" of CT:

Boston:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $400,100

New York City:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $543,900

Stamford:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $612,900

Fairfield:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $589,179

Norwalk:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $504,100

Westport:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $1,169,081

Darien:
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $1,327,735

Makes Boston and NYC seem like a steal. But oh yeah, that's right..it's easy to make tons of money and live in a great neighborhood in CT.

Sorry, but the COL does not make up for the salaries and not to burst anyone's little bubble...but not everyone in CT makes six figures.

[tryingtomakeitinCT]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I will say they have higher incomes but it does not really compensate for the added cost. Jay

Same can be said for CT.

[GrotonMan]

Wow, somebody is a little bitter about... everything.

Where did the average price for the Hartford Metro area come from? Did it factor in Hartford as well? Because if it did, then the numbers are VERY skewed (lowered by the fact that real estate in Hartford is VERY cheap).

I think the point was that real estate is very inexpensive in Hartford... I'm not sure how you missed that point :

Hartford is a hidden gem with high incomes and below average real estate prices in comparison.

If you are going to decide to pick and choose which parts of a metro you are going to compare then you at least ought to do it fairly. You clearly included the low-income neighborhoods in NYC and Boston, and yet you decided that it would be a fair comparison to only include the affluent neighborhoods in the Hartford suburbs. I don't think that the intention was ever to say that all of Connecticut was inexpensive, I don't know anybody who would ever be so ignorant as to imply that. I think JV made it pretty clear that he was talking specifically about the Hartford metro, and comparing it to other Metros.

This terrific failure at manipulating statistics has only lowered your credibility further. Next time please at least use reasonable comparisons.

Side note: the "gold coast" is part of the NYC metro, and thus shouldn't be compared to that same metro as a seperate entity. Thank you.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by GrotonMan

Wow, somebody is a little bitter about... everything.




I think the point was that real estate is very inexpensive in Hartford... I'm not sure how you missed that point :





If you are going to decide to pick and choose which parts of a metro you are going to compare then you at least ought to do it fairly. You clearly included the low-income neighborhoods in NYC and Boston, and yet you decided that it would be a fair comparison to only include the affluent neighborhoods in the Hartford suburbs. I don't think that the intention was ever to say that all of Connecticut was inexpensive, I don't know anybody who would ever be so ignorant as to imply that. I think JV made it pretty clear that he was talking specifically about the Hartford metro, and comparing it to other Metros.

This terrific failure at manipulating statistics has only lowered your credibility further. Next time please at least use reasonable comparisons.

Side note: the "gold coast" is part of the NYC metro, and thus shouldn't be compared to that same metro as a seperate entity. Thank you.

That about sums it up.

Bitterness and misinformation. Thanks for the realistic outlook.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by GrotonMan

This terrific failure at manipulating statistics has only lowered your credibility further. Next time please at least use reasonable comparisons.

I agree.

[renovating]

r

Originally Posted by tryingtomakeitinCT

Sorry, but the COL does not make up for the salaries and not to burst anyone's little bubble...but not everyone in CT makes six figures.

Even in Podunk, Mississippi or any other state that has a low cost of living, there will be people whining and complaining how expensive it is.

See here in Ct for every 1 of you, there are 50 out there that can make it and do make it here. Look around...people are living in nice neighborhoods, driving nice cars, taking vacations, etc. I am amazed in my own town the number of young SAHM's that afford the lifestyle they do and on one income.

So, CT's cost of living may be high....obviously so is the wealth here. And, obviously there are plenty of people here affording the state. You bit****g and complaining on these boards, doesn't change anything. You should ask yourself what is really preventing you from living the life you want?

[JViello]

Originally Posted by renovating

r

Even in Podunk, Mississippi or any other state that has a low cost of living, there will be people whining and complaining how expensive it is.

See here in Ct for every 1 of you, there are 50 out there that can make it and do make it here. Look around...people are living in nice neighborhoods, driving nice cars, taking vacations, etc. I am amazed in my own town the number of young SAHM's that afford the lifestyle they do and on one income.

So, CT's cost of living may be high....obviously so is the wealth here. And, obviously there are plenty of people here affording the state. You bit****g and complaining on these boards, doesn't change anything. You should ask yourself what is really preventing you from living the life you want?

[jjbradleynyc]

Wow. Surprised by Stamford/Bridgeport's placement on the list. Didn't think it was still on top.

Such huge income disparity here though--so many poor and out of work people. The middle class has a tough time making it work here, that's for sure.

[Swim190e]

I'm not surprised with Hartford ranking high. There are a lot of relatively affluent areas surrounding Hartford-

Average Family Incomes:
Avon - $115,000
Farmington - $85,000
Simsbury / Weatogue / West Simsbury - $105,000/$112,000/$120,000
Granby / North Granby - $103,000 / $128,000
Suffield - $85,000
Canton - $82,000
East Granby - $87,000
Glastonbury - $102,000
South Windsor - $94,000

West Hartford has an average of $78,000 but there are some very very very expensive neighborhoods and houses all over the place.