[RunD1987]

There's no real attractions to Hartford, New Haven, or any big cities in CT. I mean you have the big cities like NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, LA, and Chicago. However, cities like the Twin Cities, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Rochester, Cleveland, Charlotte, Raleigh, Providence, and so forth offer more to see and do.

Is there a reason why CT is not strong in regards to growth. I mean out closest smaller city be Providence I feel it is a safer area than Hartford with a more vibrant culture better lay out and offering more attractions to see.

What's your feedback.

[metalmancpa]

I lived in the Boston area my entire life. I have found nothing to draw me to CT cities at all. Even though visibly Hartford seems to be making strides, I don't see enough to make me drive there when I have Boston and then Providence at my disposal. It's not that Hartford or other CT cities don't have nightlife or other similar activities, but no matter how many times I go I find nothing that interests me enough to continue to bring me back.

I have no logical reasoning to feel as I do. Maybe CT doesn't have as much of an identity because it lies in between to major metropolitan areas that are deeply rooted in culture and history - Boston and New York. Maybe CT doesn't know what it wants to be.

[BPt111]

New Haven & Stamford most active cities in CT, Hartford has best skyline.


Stamford is just bedroom community city for NYC young professionals
New Haven is college city with some nightlife
Hartford is Office and Cooperate companies downtown
Bridgeport is struggling city but trying to re-gain itself
Waterbury is the same
Norwalk is bedroom community city for NYC professionals
New London is seaport city
Middletown I dont much much
Meriden I don't known much
New Britain little Poland is vibrant
Norwich nearby casinos
Danbury is booming a little

[mels]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

There's no real attractions to Hartford, New Haven, or any big cities in CT. I mean you have the big cities like NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, LA, and Chicago. However, cities like the Twin Cities, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Rochester, Cleveland, Charlotte, Raleigh, Providence, and so forth offer more to see and do.

Is there a reason why CT is not strong in regards to growth. I mean out closest smaller city be Providence I feel it is a safer area than Hartford with a more vibrant culture better lay out and offering more attractions to see.

What's your feedback.

I feel Hartford gets compared unfairly to other cities and I am not sure all of the cities you listed are really that great in my opinion (Buffalo? No thanks.). For example:

Minneapolis is a great city. I have traveled there a few times from work and really like it (their winters are horrid, but that is personal opinion). However, their population is something like 400,000. that doesn't include St. Paul which adds a few hundred thousand more to the population. That is NOTHING near the size of Hartford.

Pittsburgh has some cooler neighborhoods but the sidewalks roll up downtown after 5 pm...at least that is how it was last time I spent an extended amount of time there which was maybe in 2011 or so. Their population is also maybe 2-3 times the size of Hartford. It is a Rust Belt city on the upswing but isn't without its own issues.

Cleveland has been making strides and can shed its "Mistake by the Lake" image, but again is 3 times the size of Hartford. Raleigh? Probably quadruple the population of Hartford.

You are getting warmer with the Providence comparison, but is also has two colleges (RISD and Brown) right in the city, which changes the dynamics.

You can name a bunch of cities off the top of your head but it is really tough to compare apples to apples when you look at the details.

[JayCT]

You can't compare Connecticut's cities to big cities like New York or Boston. Even though you think the smaller cities have more, they really don't. What has Providence got that Hartford or New Haven does not have? A river they light on fire every so often? Does Providence have a Bushnell, Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford Stage, Theaterworks, Infinity Music Hall or even the Yale Rep, Long Wharf theater, Yale British Art Museum, Yale Art Museum or the Peabody?

The other cities you mention are really bigger than Connecticut cities as well. Plus they are not 2 hours from other larger cities. Still the only thing they have are a couple of professional sports teams which you can still get to here if you drive to the bigger cities. This is simply another case of "the grass is always greener" syndrome. Jay

[RunD1987]

I mean if Buffalo kept up with rail service it be a top spot. During the spring summer fall beautiful area. Good sport's town with good food. If Buffalo didn't have the draw of sports team's really wouldn't be much of a draw I believe. It be similiar to Hartford. Also side note Buffalo does offer a very impressive bike path system and has access to the Great Lakes.

Providence definitely has a stronger museum and cultural/museums to see.

I think that is what makes CT so lackluster in regards to cities. Population and poverty. Most cities in CT are for people during the day. There is no draw for them to live or stay in these cities. I think if you combined a city like Stamford, New Haven, Hartford, and N w London make a great city for CT. They each have one quality that makes them stand out. Stamford is more for people of affluence and that is partly due to the City. New London offers good food, the seaport, and Aquarium. Bridgeport offers a Zoo, a ballpark, and a arena. Hartford offers job's, possibly Casino's, hotel's, a river, and white collar job's. New Haven has colleges, culture, and a strong hospital network.

Makes you imagine dynamics of CT if New Haven was kept the State capital location. I assume West, East, North Haven be consume by New Haven. I could see it being the bustling city with mix of Casinos, a update transportation system, a strong prominence of culture, and so forth.

Hartford is more closely compared to Albany I say. Can see comparing Hartford to those cities be unfair. However, if comparing Providence to Hartford...Providence wins out. Hartford can learn from Providence.

[Mr_250]

Originally Posted by JayCT

You can't compare Connecticut's cities to big cities like New York or Boston. Even though you think the smaller cities have more, they really don't. What has Providence got that Hartford or New Haven does not have? A river they light on fire every so often? Does Providence have a Bushnell, Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford Stage, Theaterworks, Infinity Music Hall or even the Yale Rep, Long Wharf theater, Yale British Art Museum, Yale Art Museum or the Peabody?

Not in name but yes, they do have all that.

I lived there and found Providence to be fun vibrant and just a great little city. I like Hartford but Providence blows it out of the water. There are 3 or 4 colleges there, many music many venues, cool shops, different areas to visit and a lot more.

We are actually planning on visiting there for a long weekend in January. Not sure I know anyone who would visit Hartford.

Ps-infinity hall needs to get better acts that cater to be younger crowd. I'm sick of looking at the calendar and seeing 4 shows for tower of power. I mean people must be buying them but still gets some younger blood in there's.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

I mean if Buffalo kept up with rail service it be a top spot. During the spring summer fall beautiful area. Good sport's town with good food. If Buffalo didn't have the draw of sports team's really wouldn't be much of a draw I believe. It be similiar to Hartford. Also side note Buffalo does offer a very impressive bike path system and has access to the Great Lakes.

Providence definitely has a stronger museum and cultural/museums to see.

I think that is what makes CT so lackluster in regards to cities. Population and poverty. Most cities in CT are for people during the day. There is no draw for them to live or stay in these cities. I think if you combined a city like Stamford, New Haven, Hartford, and N w London make a great city for CT. They each have one quality that makes them stand out. Stamford is more for people of affluence and that is partly due to the City. New London offers good food, the seaport, and Aquarium. Bridgeport offers a Zoo, a ballpark, and a arena. Hartford offers job's, possibly Casino's, hotel's, a river, and white collar job's. New Haven has colleges, culture, and a strong hospital network.

Makes you imagine dynamics of CT if New Haven was kept the State capital location. I assume West, East, North Haven be consume by New Haven. I could see it being the bustling city with mix of Casinos, a update transportation system, a strong prominence of culture, and so forth.

Hartford is more closely compared to Albany I say. Can see comparing Hartford to those cities be unfair. However, if comparing Providence to Hartford...Providence wins out. Hartford can learn from Providence.

What Stamford, Norwak, Bridgeport, Waterbury, New London, New Britain compare to ?

[SeaDoo342]

Originally Posted by metalmancpa

I lived in the Boston area my entire life. I have found nothing to draw me to CT cities at all. Even though visibly Hartford seems to be making strides, I don't see enough to make me drive there when I have Boston and then Providence at my disposal. It's not that Hartford or other CT cities don't have nightlife or other similar activities, but no matter how many times I go I find nothing that interests me enough to continue to bring me back.

I have no logical reasoning to feel as I do. Maybe CT doesn't have as much of an identity because it lies in between to major metropolitan areas that are deeply rooted in culture and history - Boston and New York. Maybe CT doesn't know what it wants to be.

CT is well aware what it wants to be. There's "NYC metro" CT that solely aligns with NY, there's eastern CT that aligns more with Providence and Boston, and there's Hartford... a metro that stands alone but is physically and mentally connected to both...

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by JayCT

You can't compare Connecticut's cities to big cities like New York or Boston. Even though you think the smaller cities have more, they really don't. What has Providence got that Hartford or New Haven does not have? A river they light on fire every so often? Does Providence have a Bushnell, Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford Stage, Theaterworks, Infinity Music Hall or even the Yale Rep, Long Wharf theater, Yale British Art Museum, Yale Art Museum or the Peabody?

The other cities you mention are really bigger than Connecticut cities as well. Plus they are not 2 hours from other larger cities. Still the only thing they have are a couple of professional sports teams which you can still get to here if you drive to the bigger cities. This is simply another case of "the grass is always greener" syndrome. Jay

What's with the Providence hate Jay? I've lived in all three and Providence is a much better place to live than Hartford. Its really not even close. Providence is more similar to New Haven, what with the college vibe, great restaurants, and livable neighborhoods.

Originally Posted by Mr_250

Not in name but yes, they do have all that.

I lived there and found Providence to be fun vibrant and just a great little city. I like Hartford but Providence blows it out of the water. There are 3 or 4 colleges there, many music many venues, cool shops, different areas to visit and a lot more.

We are actually planning on visiting there for a long weekend in January. Not sure I know anyone who would visit Hartford.

Ps-infinity hall needs to get better acts that cater to be younger crowd. I'm sick of looking at the calendar and seeing 4 shows for tower of power. I mean people must be buying them but still gets some younger blood in there's.

Agree 100%.