[Tulip2011]

I lived in downtown Hartford for many years. It is not a terrible place filled with criminals like many of these posts seem to imply. There are a ton of events that happen, especially on Thursday evenings and on the weekends. Sure, there are areas that you shouldn't walk alone at night, but that is true for every city. There are several event locations and meeting centers, so tell the tens of thousands of people that flock there for events that they can't walk outside at night!!!!

Just find a safe, secure building and be aware of your surroundings, and you'll be just fine. There are three colleges in downtown Hartford, the oldest art museum in the country, and a large park surrounding the capitol. Here's an extremely safe building that has a new, fine grocery store on the first floor: Hartford Connecticut Apartments - Home - Hartford 21 Apartments

Good luck!!

[vikm23]

Thanks everyone. That is great feedback. Prior to house hunting I also wanted to screen out some homes that are in high flood risk areas. Does anyone know if there are areas in W. Hartford, Simbsubury, Farmington or Windsor that are notorious for flooding? If someone just wants to point me to a flood map online, that will work too. I went on the FEMA site looking for one and it was a pain to get.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by vikm23

Thanks everyone. That is great feedback. Prior to house hunting I also wanted to screen out some homes that are in high flood risk areas. Does anyone know if there are areas in W. Hartford, Simbsubury, Farmington or Windsor that are notorious for flooding? If someone just wants to point me to a flood map online, that will work too. I went on the FEMA site looking for one and it was a pain to get.

It is my understanding that we are not in a flood zone in the Hartford area at all. Yes you get the occasional stream or creek that will swell, but there are no problems like in the Midwest here. Even when the CT River "floods" it's controlled and never causes problems.

Good "affordable" suburban towns in the region IMO are South Windsor, Parts of Vernon, Windsor, Newington, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield (It borders Hartford so some areas are more urban than others.) Cromwell, Southington.

East of the river has the easiest traffic flow, and most times it's pretty much a non issue at all.

As for downtown, it's absolutely fine. You'll probably laugh once you get here and actually go downtown. You won't laugh if you head up Albany Ave into the North end though, but that's not really anywhere near downtown.

[JayCT]

JViello - This is not entirely true. The Connecticut River and many of its tributaries do have histories of flooding but many of the most vulnerable areas are protected by various flood mitigation measures. There are large dikes in both Hartford and East Hartford to protect those communities. The Park River was buried through Hartford and now has a number of upstream holding areas for substantial rainfall runoff.

That said, a section of Main Street in Glastonbury was flooded back in the early 80's when Salmon Brook flooded. Did quite a bit of damage. I think the OP needs to find a home they like first and then go to the town to find out if it is in a Flood Zone. I think that information would be on the listing though. If you talk with the Town Engineer or someone knowledgable in the Engineering Department of the town, you should be able to get a feel if that particular home is going to experience any flooding. Jay

[JViello]

Originally Posted by JayCT

JViello - This is not entirely true. The Connecticut River and many of its tributaries do have histories of flooding but many of the most vulnerable areas are protected by various flood mitigation measures. There are large dikes in both Hartford and East Hartford to protect those communities. The Park River was buried through Hartford and now has a number of upstream holding areas for substantial rainfall runoff.

That said, a section of Main Street in Glastonbury was flooded back in the early 80's when Salmon Brook flooded. Did quite a bit of damage. I think the OP needs to find a home they like first and then go to the town to find out if it is in a Flood Zone. I think that information would be on the listing though. If you talk with the Town Engineer or someone knowledgable in the Engineering Department of the town, you should be able to get a feel if that particular home is going to experience any flooding. Jay

That's pretty much what I was getting at. It's very rare, and in isolated areas, and when it does happen it's a swollen brook or creek etc. In the Midwest you'll have entire swaths of property deemed a flood zone...10's of square miles or more.

[Uconn97]

Don't forget that some areas/homes still have to carry flood insurance - not sure if thats what the OP might be concerned about. When FEMA redid the maps after Katrina many homes in EH (and other areas I'm sure) that previously did not need flood insurance now do, I know at least 3 of our neighbors now have to carry flood insurance (we back to porter brook), we lucked out - I think because our house is higher up on a hill.

[DanaMarley]

if you are worried about flood zones, you'd be best to stay clear of areas like East Hartford, near Main Street and Portland, which have rivers running nexto them.
you say the rivers caused no problems, not so... in the 50s there was a massive flood near the CT river, i think near the E.H./Hartford border...
Lots of neighborhoods in Portland too, are right next to some creek or river... not sure what it is, and if we get really heavy rain, I'm sure that area floods too.
If you get a home that's up on a tall hill, you're must less likely to incur floods, flooded basements, etc.

I do believe though that Irene has caused many floods in areas that never had them before!

[Stylo]

What? Hills and slopes are GOOD to live on, they don't encourage flooding. As long as your property has proper drainage there should be no issues.

[afroze07]

hi everyone,

I will be moving to hartford in july to attend pharmacy school at uni. of saint joseph which is on trumbull street. Is this a safe area? Few months to go before I move and i'm getting a little scared b/c so many people are talking about how unsafe this city is. I am trying to find an apartment close to my school. Any suggestions?

ps - I'm from a small town so living in a city will be new to me. I'm not stupid and won't be leaving my apartment when it's dark.

[vIRGE]

Originally Posted by afroze07

hi everyone,

I will be moving to hartford in july to attend pharmacy school at uni. of saint joseph which is on trumbull street. Is this a safe area? Few months to go before I move and i'm getting a little scared b/c so many people are talking about how unsafe this city is. I am trying to find an apartment close to my school. Any suggestions?

ps - I'm from a small town so living in a city will be new to me. I'm not stupid and won't be leaving my apartment when it's dark.

Welcome to the forums! If I were you, I would create a new thread rather than necro an old one.