[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by blakesq

my impression is that wealth is not created in CT, but rather, comes from either old money, or is created in NYC, and we get a skewed average of the state's wealth due to those in Southern Fairfield Co.

I may be wrong, so I would love to see data that shows how many people are able to start with very little and become wealthy in CT, as compared to low tax states such as TX, FL, the Carolinas?

I share your impression; I don't if there is a simple way to prove or disprove this, but I think it is an interesting point for discussion.

[bobtn]

blakesq, That is a very interesting point. Bear in mind, 50 years ago, there was an absolute need to be within a very short ride of some sort to some major city, but that is no longer the case.

[JayCT]

blakesq - I remember reading that without Fairfield County, Connecticut would still be the fourth or fifth wealthiest state in the country. Both Hartford and New Haven are wealthy metropolitan areas and do not have economies directly tied to New York City.

Bobtn - This is true which is why we see a lot of people moving here. They like being away from the city yet able to get there in a couple of hours. I have a couple of friends who work for New York companies but live in the Hartford area and only go in when they have meetings they need to attend. The rest of the time they work from home or a nearby office. Jay

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Bobtn - This is true which is why we see a lot of people moving here.

Please send them to me. I have a house I'd like to sell.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Bobtn - This is true which is why we see a lot of people moving here.

I just spit my water across the room.

Jay, what census data have you been reading? We LOST over 100,000 middle class people in the last decade.

[ctcoldplay11]

Originally Posted by blakesq

Jay,

my impression is that wealth is not created in CT, but rather, comes from either old money, or is created in NYC, and we get a skewed average of the state's wealth due to those in Southern Fairfield Co.

I may be wrong, so I would love to see data that shows how many people are able to start with very little and become wealthy in CT, as compared to low tax states such as TX, FL, the Carolinas?

I hate when people say this. Fairfield County is a part of CONNECTICUT. It does not SKEW anything. If this was the case, take away Fairfax County & Loudoun County, Virginia from Virginia and Howard & Montgomery County, Maryland away from Maryland (all four counties get their wealth from Washington DC). While you're at it, take away Bergen County, New Jersey away from New Jersey (which, like FFD County, gets its wealth from NYC).

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by ctcoldplay11

I hate when people say this. Fairfield County is a part of CONNECTICUT. It does not SKEW anything. If this was the case, take away Fairfax County & Loudoun County, Virginia from Virginia and Howard & Montgomery County, Maryland away from Maryland (all four counties get their wealth from Washington DC). While you're at it, take away Bergen County, New Jersey away from New Jersey (which, like FFD County, gets its wealth from NYC).

And for the ultimate, take Westchester County and LI away from NY (take NYC too away for that matter).....

[bobtn]

Amen, JV, I laughed at that post, too. If people move in more than out, states avoid losing Congressmen, in fact, they add them. \

Headedwest, The only way to sell is to deeply discount the house. I spent much of my vacation in southern Ct helping someone clean out a house that only sold when it was discounted far below its 2006 appraised value.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by ctcoldplay11

I hate when people say this. Fairfield County is a part of CONNECTICUT. It does not SKEW anything. If this was the case, take away Fairfax County & Loudoun County, Virginia from Virginia and Howard & Montgomery County, Maryland away from Maryland (all four counties get their wealth from Washington DC). While you're at it, take away Bergen County, New Jersey away from New Jersey (which, like FFD County, gets its wealth from NYC).

I think what blake was getting at was not that the figure is wrong, but that the median income # isn't really accurate for most of us because of the extreme wealthy down in FFC. So on paper it may say our average is $98K or whatever, the reality for the Hartford area etc may be closer to something like $68K.

Originally Posted by bobtn

Amen, JV, I laughed at that post, too. If people move in more than out, states avoid losing Congressmen, in fact, they add them. \

Headedwest, The only way to sell is to deeply discount the house. I spent much of my vacation in southern Ct helping someone clean out a house that only sold when it was discounted far below its 2006 appraised value.

It really depends on the area. When the market was tight, even the less desirable areas were commanding big money. Today, those places can't give the house a way but in desirable towns they are still doing "okay". Not great, but okay.

[bobtn]

I agree there is variation, but even the desirable areas are well below their peak. I hope HeadedWest and whomever else wishes to sell did not buy near the peak.

Its not something one should wait out, as its a long-term problem. One either can take the hit and can than truly make a decision as to whether they want to accept that tradeoff, or one cannot take the hit.

I'm just delighted not to have to lift more boxes. There was much more to move than I realized. Now I need a 2nd vacation (LOL)!