[eedypuff]

I got a job offer in West Haven with possible commute to Newington. I'm still weighing the pros and cons of moving. From what I've found about CT, honestly it's not that appealing. I'm hoping someone can change my mind.

I've lived in NYC, Buffalo, DC, and Dallas, and any CT city would be the smallest city I will have lived in if I move there. While I still have friends and family in NYC, I don't want to make a visit every weekend. I'm just wondering..where can I live in CT that has things to do for singles with no kids? Thanks for your input everyone!

[Stylo]

Greater New Haven or Hartford won't feel that much smaller than Buffalo. Our cities make up small, dense areas - hence the low population stats. For instance, the urban extent of New Haven is more like 600k people. The city proper is only 20 square miles. Dallas is 342. CT is pretty dense, especially on the shoreline.

As I have no frame of reference as far as what you consider "appealing", I can't make any recommendations. While DC and NYC have some great areas of appeal, I find it hard to believe that Buffalo would be preferred over CT except for lower cost of living.

Where can you live that's good for singles with no kids? If working in West Haven, Milford or New Haven (specifically downtown, Wooster Square or East Rock). If working in Newington, West Hartford.

Keep in mind the tip of Manhattan is about an hour's drive from Milford without traffic.

[kidyankee764]

West Haven is one of the most unappealing towns in CT. This is one of those states where you really have to turn the corners and explore the nook and crannies of the state, otherwise you'll be very bored. Once you do explore the hidden, you'll appreciate it more than anywhere else you've lived.

I'd consider living in downtown New Haven. It's a lively city for it's size and the amount of amazing restaurants nearby will impress the foodies. That said, downtown New Haven can be very expensive to live in.

If you prefer a quieter lifestyle, I'd suggest you look into one of the suburbs. Milford is nice, as is Branford. Milford definitely has better nightlife in the summer than most other suburbs. Hamden might have what you desire. Overall I'd suggest you start your apartment search in downtown New Haven. Just be picky of the neighborhoods in the city; if it's cheap, it's cheap for a reason.

[Arm&Hammer]

look up the thread THINGS TO DO on the top... This state will make you go out to do something... if not you will get bored if you dont feel like doing much. I love this state.

[mels]

I lived for a few years in the New Haven area as a single and now live not too far from Newington and am married (but still with no kids). I have never lacked for things to do since living in CT. I am focusing in on greater Hartford and New Haven:

Urban vibe: downtown New Haven- bars, dancing, clubs, shops, restaurants
Small city vibe with densely packed restaurants/bars/shops: West Hartford, Milford

Outdoor activities: CT has phenomenal hiking. Water sports are big too (kayak, canoeing, windsurfing if near LI Sound, boating in general, etc.). Lots of mountain biking trails and good cycle touring roads. Winter sports- lots of trails to snowshoe, cross country ski, very small "mountains" but an enjoyable day skiing nonetheless without the cost/distance to northern New England. There are also quite a few hiking clubs and ski clubs in almost every region of the state and you'll get to know people easily. If you hate the outdoors, you are missing half of the point of living in this region. I think that is a big reason why CT is never on the "fattest state" lists. A lot of people take advantage of the outdoors all year long here.

There are tons of museums, theaters, little places and big places to see great live music, casinos, CT wine trail, etc. If you need a big city jolt, NYC and Boston are close by.

You didn't really give any clues as to what your hobbies are or what you find interesting, so hopefully this is a start. Also, I agree that West Haven is a pretty crappy city (aka "Waste Haven") but there are many great places to live in surrounding towns.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by Arm&Hammer

look up the thread THINGS TO DO on the top... This state will make you go out to do something... if not you will get bored if you dont feel like doing much. I love this state.

I disagree. I am 27 years old, single and quite frankly, I don't see what's so spectacular about this state compared to other states, especially during the long cold season. If you have good friends and family in the area, then it doesn't matter, but other than that, the only things to do, really, are shopping at the malls, going to restaurants, watching movies and that kind of stuff. This stuff can be done in any state. The summer only lasts for a few months. If you like the beach, be prepared to enter a crowded public beach with hundreds of people covering the sand area. It isn't a relaxing experience. However, the private beaches are very nice IMO and is what I grew up with. The hiking parks and state forests are pretty nice too. But again, very seasonal.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by nep321

I disagree. I am 27 years old, single and quite frankly, I don't see what's so spectacular about this state compared to other states, especially during the long cold season. If you have good friends and family in the area, then it doesn't matter, but other than that, the only things to do, really, are shopping at the malls, going to restaurants, watching movies and that kind of stuff. This stuff can be done in any state. The summer only lasts for a few months. If you like the beach, be prepared to enter a crowded public beach with hundreds of people covering the sand area. It isn't a relaxing experience. However, the private beaches are very nice IMO and is what I grew up with. The hiking parks and state forests are pretty nice too. But again, very seasonal.

You don't like bars, clubs, restaurants or any of the things that twentysomethings do in cities. The OP liked DC/NYC, so I assume he has very different tastes than you.

Btw, living in Milford - even our town beaches don't get very crowded. It's only really the state beaches on weekends that are crowded.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by Stylo

You don't like bars, clubs, restaurants or any of the things that twentysomethings do in cities. The OP liked DC/NYC, so I assume he has very different tastes than you.

Btw, living in Milford - even our town beaches don't get very crowded. It's only really the state beaches on weekends that are crowded.

Hey, I liked NYC too. I never said I didn't like it. However, I do prefer life in CT, even being a 20-something myself.

[Arm&Hammer]

Originally Posted by nep321

I disagree. I am 27 years old, single and quite frankly, I don't see what's so spectacular about this state compared to other states, especially during the long cold season. If you have good friends and family in the area, then it doesn't matter, but other than that, the only things to do, really, are shopping at the malls, going to restaurants, watching movies and that kind of stuff. This stuff can be done in any state. The summer only lasts for a few months. If you like the beach, be prepared to enter a crowded public beach with hundreds of people covering the sand area. It isn't a relaxing experience. However, the private beaches are very nice IMO and is what I grew up with. The hiking parks and state forests are pretty nice too. But again, very seasonal.

You more into summer... Im more into Summer, Spring (even though sometime feel like summer middle to late spring) and Fall, which did felt like summer middle of October this year...

And like Stylo said, you don't like bars, clubs, restaurants or any of the things that people are in their 20s supposed to do.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by Arm&Hammer

You more into summer... Im more into Summer, Spring (even though sometime feel like summer middle to late spring) and Fall, which did felt like summer middle of October this year...

And like Stylo said, you don't like bars, clubs, restaurants or any of the things that people are in their 20s supposed to do.

Supposed to do? So everyone in their 20s must go to bars and clubs? Sorry, but I have tried it plenty of times and determined that it's not my scene. Meeting other people is important to me, but I have other ways of achieving this, minus the cover charges, excessively loud music, smokers and alcohol. Certainly not a crowd I fit into. I'm the intellectual type.