[JayCT]

Originally Posted by TENN24

Look at Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, South Windsor, and maybe Tolland. All these towns are affordable and safe. Manchester is generally safe and extremely affordable. IMO, I would not recommend Vernon.

There is nothing wrong with Vernon. The only marginally questionable area is Rockville and even that is not considered to be unsafe. Jay

[Enilder]

Can someone give me rough estimate on utilities (electricity for the most part since that will be the major bill every month)? I usually keep my temperature around low 70s during winter and mid 70s during summer down south.

Also, I actually found couple places with a reasonable rent rate in Hartford city. Should I absolutely avoid it and go with outside Hardford area (Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Vernon, Manchester, etc as previously mentioned)? Thanks

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by Enilder

Can someone give me rough estimate on utilities (electricity for the most part since that will be the major bill every month)? I usually keep my temperature around low 70s during winter and mid 70s during summer down south.

Also, I actually found couple places with a reasonable rent rate in Hartford city. Should I absolutely avoid it and go with outside Hardford area (Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Vernon, Manchester, etc as previously mentioned)? Thanks

There are places in Hartford's West End that are safe and pleasant, however, I would never rent in Hartford site-unseen.

I would strongly prefer a suburb. West Hartford would be my first choice in your situation.

And I agree with Jay-- Vernon is fine. I lived there for 18 months before moving back to Westport. I liked it and had no problems.

[Enilder]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

There are places in Hartford's West End that are safe and pleasant, however, I would never rent in Hartford site-unseen.

I would strongly prefer a suburb. West Hartford would be my first choice in your situation.

And I agree with Jay-- Vernon is fine. I lived there for 18 months before moving back to Westport. I liked it and had no problems.

Only problem(?) with West Hartford is that I have to commute to East Hartford. Unless I am missing something, I should probably stay on the east side of Hartford city. Correct me if I am wrong.

On that note, the traffic shouldn't be that bad going out of city in the morning, right? (East bound of Hartford city)

How bad is the west bound (into Hartford city)? Just a thought if I decide to live east side of East Hartford and commute to East Hartford.

[TENN24]

Honestly, in this situation, I would highly recommend Manchester, particularly near the mall. Lot going on in this area and you can get a lot for your money there.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Enilder

Only problem(?) with West Hartford is that I have to commute to East Hartford. Unless I am missing something, I should probably stay on the east side of Hartford city. Correct me if I am wrong.

On that note, the traffic shouldn't be that bad going out of city in the morning, right? (East bound of Hartford city)

How bad is the west bound (into Hartford city)? Just a thought if I decide to live east side of East Hartford and commute to East Hartford.

You are correct that it is best to not live on one side of Hartford and commute to the other. Traffic through Hartford is tough in the morning and no matter how you try you wil hit it.

There are some nice apartments in Hartford but generally if they look like a bargain there is a reason. I agree with Tenn24, look in Manchester. You also might want to consider Wethersfield or Newington that have some very nice reasonable apartments available. Jay

[Enilder]

Any members live in Manchester apartments? I was so close to apply for 1 apartment until I read a horrendous review on it. Of course, people write reviews to "complain" but it sure isn't easy to bypass that uneasiness.

[Enilder]

Originally Posted by JayCT

You are correct that it is best to not live on one side of Hartford and commute to the other. Traffic through Hartford is tough in the morning and no matter how you try you wil hit it.

There are some nice apartments in Hartford but generally if they look like a bargain there is a reason. I agree with Tenn24, look in Manchester. You also might want to consider Wethersfield or Newington that have some very nice reasonable apartments available. Jay

Jay, how is route 5/15 from Newington to East Hartford? Since it's only 10 miles, I don't think it's going to take more than 20 minutes but just wondering if there's a traffic as bad as traffic on the west coast.

[svgal]

I would probably recommend Manchester for a single bedroom appartment, like everybody else here. I work in East Hartford and have a few coworkers who live in the Pavillions in Manchester and seem to like it. They have been in the same place for many years (approx 10) so I assume that they have no real problems with living in the complex or Manchester in general.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Enilder

Any members live in Manchester apartments? I was so close to apply for 1 apartment until I read a horrendous review on it. Of course, people write reviews to "complain" but it sure isn't easy to bypass that uneasiness.

You can pretty much ignore those "reviews". They really are nothing more than b*tch sessions.

Apartment living is apartment living. You'll hear your neighbors have sex, flush a toilet, make noise etc. It just is what it is. People who are not familiar with it, generally get on some sight and "review" their shock, probably coming from mom and dad's 2500sf colonial all their life.

Which apartments would you like to know about? I have friends who have lived in just about all of them and spent time there. The Mills, Aspen Woods etc.

You'll have no traffic into East Hartford save for the rare occasional accident. The commute from Newington is cake as well FYI.