Manchester vs. Windsor...what should I do? (Hartford, East Hartford: fit in, crime rate)

nep321 · 11-11-2011, 10:00 PM

There is a house in Windsor that I am very interested in, and another house in Manchester that interests me. IMO, Windsor is a nicer town with more historic charm, but my biggest fear is that it's more family oriented than Manchester. As a single gay dude, I would like to fit in with the neighborhood. Something in my mind tells me that Windsor is not a good town for a guy like me to live in. But then again, I like the house in Windsor better. Do you think my concern is legitimate or am I worrying too much? Is it a non issue? I just want to feel comfortable and "fit in" with the society in the neighborhood/town which I choose to live.

I don't know Windsor that well, because it has always been a drive-through town (I-91) for me, to get from Hartford to Granby, etc. But never really spent time IN it. However, I have driven through it and surprisingly, it seems like a very nice, clean town!

What do you think? Should I be concerned about whether a neighborhood is family oriented or not? Or should I just buy a house if I absolutely love it, regardless?

Dude111 · 11-11-2011, 10:23 PM

Im more interested in Manchester myself as thats where my relatives are..

There is a parkade there (Or used to be),and all kinds of stuff

Good luck with your move!

Stylo · 11-12-2011, 12:13 AM

Manchester probably has more to do for someone younger, but you said you don't like going out/bars.

I would focus on just finding the right house and not so much the town if you're torn.

mlassoff · 11-12-2011, 06:08 AM

I would do all that fancy math you're going to do, talk to your parents, and then decide not to buy either... No wait.. That's what YOU will do

JViello · 11-12-2011, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlassoff

I would do all that fancy math you're going to do, talk to your parents, and then decide not to buy either... No wait.. That's what YOU will do

LOL

NEP you have to be careful with Windsor (and I guess with Manchester in some regard too.) as it borders Hartford. So much like Bloomfield, it has some of the "ish" creeping in from the city. There are some very nice neighborhoods there.

Surprisingly, the towns are more similar than you would think. The thing that Windsor has against it, is traffic. To get to Berlin, you will endure much MUCH more traffic than coming from Manchester which will have basically none. My wife works off of Day Hill road now and traffic can be pretty bad getting in and out during commute times. What should be 20 minutes can easily turn into 45+.

Lincolnian · 11-12-2011, 06:38 AM

As a single person you shouldn't have a problem in either town or even East Hartford or Bloomfield for that matter. Most of the downside for many potential buyers are schools. That will limit resale but as you know you'll be paying less than comparable homes in better-rated school districts.

I live in Granby now. We often shop in Windsor and Bloomfield. Surprisingly, I have found the Home Depot in Bloomfield to be one of the best run ones with a very helpful staff. I had similar experiences with other stores and restaurants in the area.

Buy what you can afford. There's few areas in the Hartford area I couldn't find a nice place to live, especially if I was single.

JayCT · 11-12-2011, 09:14 AM

I agree with JViello. The commute from Windsor to Berlin would not be fun. You have to drive right through Hartford and I would not recommend that. I know you have lived in a number of locations around Hartford and if one of them required you to do that commute it might not be a big deal to you. If not though, I would defintely think about the commute carefully. JMHO, Jay

Jpierpont · 11-26-2011, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JViello

LOL

NEP you have to be careful with Windsor (and I guess with Manchester in some regard too.) as it borders Hartford. So much like Bloomfield, it has some of the "ish" creeping in from the city. There are some very nice neighborhoods there.

Surprisingly, the towns are more similar than you would think. The thing that Windsor has against it, is traffic. To get to Berlin, you will endure much MUCH more traffic than coming from Manchester which will have basically none. My wife works off of Day Hill road now and traffic can be pretty bad getting in and out during commute times. What should be 20 minutes can easily turn into 45+.

Considering Manchester's crime rate is double Windsor's I will say that is an odd statement. Many year manchester's violent crime rate is a good deal above the national average.

JayCT · 11-26-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jpierpont

Considering Manchester's crime rate is double Windsor's I will say that is an odd statement. Many year manchester's violent crime rate is a good deal above the national average.

It is??? I find this highly questionable. Manchester's crime is mostly petting stuff relating to the major regional shopping district located there. It is mostly things like shoplifting, minor car breakins, etc. I do not think there is much if any violent crime in Manchester and I doubt it is ever higher than the national average. Jay

Jpierpont · 11-27-2011, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayCT

It is??? I find this highly questionable. Manchester's crime is mostly petting stuff relating to the major regional shopping district located there. It is mostly things like shoplifting, minor car breakins, etc. I do not think there is much if any violent crime in Manchester and I doubt it is ever higher than the national average. Jay

There is plenty violent crime there but I wasn't referring solely to this year, that's why I said many years. More than once this decade they exceeded the national rate of violent crime , one year even doubling it, according to city-data's stats.