[Garey E. Coleman]

Thank you for the last post. But I'd like to address some other misconceptions. North Hartford covers a lot of area and is comprised of many distinct neighborhoods. Many people who've been characterized as poor in this forum would be surprised to learn that they are poor. They'd be further stunned to find that they are uneducated. For example; I hold a Masters Degree. A former neighbor was one of the first African American judges in Connecticut another the first African American State Representative. Many of my neighbors are teachers, social workers, retired civil servants, librarians, etc. So you see, there is a middle class in North Hartford that is trying very hard to thrive but we are pretty invisible because of the image of our community that is promoted by people who don't really know.

[basehead617]

Originally Posted by Garey E. Coleman

Thank you for the last post. But I'd like to address some other misconceptions. North Hartford covers a lot of area and is comprised of many distinct neighborhoods. Many people who've been characterized as poor in this forum would be surprised to learn that they are poor. They'd be further stunned to find that they are uneducated. For example; I hold a Masters Degree. A former neighbor was one of the first African American judges in Connecticut another the first African American State Representative. Many of my neighbors are teachers, social workers, retired civil servants, librarians, etc. So you see, there is a middle class in North Hartford that is trying very hard to thrive but we are pretty invisible because of the image of our community that is promoted by people who don't really know.

Great point, Mr. Coleman. There are many like you and believe me that at least to me, you are not invisible!

Some people just don't understand why someone wouldn't want to flee to the suburbs once they earn enough to do so. The idea of pride in an urban area, and wanting to work to make it better, bewilders them.

[portlandisracist]

I am hearing streets that make me scream NO. blue hills NO, the best of the areas are lower working class, and shady as hell people. vine, garden, no no no. why did this area come up in a thread? make your way back towards west hartford/windsor/poquonock/windsor locks

[Garey E. Coleman]

I think we might be getting somewhere. By the way what are the college graduation rates like in towns like Manchester, Berlin, Plainville and....Portland (LMAO). Are those places safe? Are they working class areas?

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by Garey E. Coleman

I think we might be getting somewhere. By the way what are the college graduation rates like in towns like Manchester, Berlin, Plainville and....Portland (LMAO). Are those places safe? Are they working class areas?

Berlin IMO is a dump. I spent part of my childhood there, driving through there now it's sad to see what it's become - an ugly, sprawling, shiftless suburb with little remaining open space. There was also a good amount of bigotry in that town, which is why I would never raise a family there. You're right - it doesn't have a high rate of college graduates, and it shows.

[Garey E. Coleman]

What about Rockville, Vernon, Bristol, I could go on of course. Are these great places to live? Are they working class areas? Upper or lower? What are the rates of college graduation?

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by Garey E. Coleman

What about Rockville, Vernon, Bristol, I could go on of course. Are these great places to live? Are they working class areas? Upper or lower? What are the rates of college graduation?

Drive around and see for yourself. If you want to know what the high school and college graduate rates are, they're in the latest census figure from 2010. I'm tired of arguing about this.

[Garey E. Coleman]

I'm sorry that you think we're arguing MikefromCT. I thought I was asking about issues that were important to the formulation of opinions about Hartford. I also think that the issues being raised are smoke screens for something else that was almost raised a little while ago.

[JayCT]

Sorry but I would not call Berlin a "dump". It has many nice areas. It may not be as upscale as some towns but it is hardly considered a bad town. In fact, it is probably considered to be a better town than Rockville (which is actually a section of Vernon), Vernon or Bristol. Berlin schools perform above the state average on the Connecticut Mastery and Connecticut Academic Performance Tests. I am not sure all of this is true in Vernon and Bristol. The percentage of students going on to higher education is also above the state averages. You can find more information on the schools in these towns at the link below. Jay

State Department of Education - CEDaR

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Sorry but I would not call Berlin a "dump". It has many nice areas. It may not be as upscale as some towns but it is hardly considered a bad town. In fact, it is probably considered to be a better town than Rockville (which is actually a section of Vernon), Vernon or Bristol. Berlin schools perform above the state average on the Connecticut Mastery and Connecticut Academic Performance Tests. I am not sure all of this is true in Vernon and Bristol. The percentage of students going on to higher education is also above the state averages. You can find more information on the schools in these towns at the link below. Jay

State Department of Education - CEDaR

Jay, I'm not debating about the schools. I'm saying that as someone who spent some time growning up here, I can tell you that it isn't nearly as nice as it once was when it was largely rural, which it was until the early '90s. I also stand by what I said earlier about the racial attitudes and remarks there. Is it unique to this town? Probably not, and it may have dissipated since I lived there, but I have no inclination to go back there.

A town doesn't have to be "upscale" to be desireable or nice. Newington and Wethersfield aren't and these are both very nice communities. I'd be more inclined to consider living there than Berlin.

Gary, I'll send you a DM later regarding our discussion. Sorry to be on the defensive here.