[BearCub12]

Hello,

Thank you in advance for your opinions. My young family and I are considering a move to Connecticut from Portland, Oregon. We are looking for the usual: a small to mid-size city that is very safe, lots of young families, very scenic and relatively close to a bigger city. A modest house (2-3 bedroom) on some property for under $300K would be nice.
Also, I'm wondering about the attitudes of Connecticut residents towards people from out of state moving there - I've heard East-coasters can be cold towards non-natives and would appreciate any opinions on that. Thanks so much!

[Lowerdeck]

Do you have a job or family in any particular part of the state?

And because I like beating people to it: West Hartford will probably get namedropped a handful of times. I would have suggested Bethel or Brookfield, but both are just a bit high for the price range.

[BearCub12]

I'm a chiropractor and would plan on opening my own clinic, ideally. No family in Connecticut We are considering it because I would prefer to live someplace more rural and scenic and my wife needs her "big city fix" for culture, etc. Therefore, Connecticut seemed nice b/c of its proximity to Boston and NY, NY. Thanks!

[AnonChick]

Definitely West Hartford then, as Lowerdeck says. Price range - check. Proximity to Boston and NYC - check. Scenic, relatively safe, good place to raise kids - check. It's also close to Springfield MA and 6 Flags Great Adventure, and what's known around here as the Big E - which is the Eastern States Exposition - a HUGE HUGE county fair with representation of I think 7 states just over the Massachusettes border not far from 6 Flags.

The Big E starts Sept. 17 and ends October 3 so you might miss this year's but it's definitely a hallmark of the New England Autumnal season.

[Lowerdeck]

The Big E is the de facto state fair for all six New England states.

I probably should go one of these years. I haven't been since the early-mid 90s, and Woodstock is too country for my liking.

[fbam]

I will let others with more experience answer about where the best place is (I love Manchester but that is the only place where I have lived here) as to how people are treated from other states, I would say that we have been treated very well. New Englanders are a little more reserved than the south but are still very nice and more genuine IMO. This is a great place to raise a family especially if you like parks and outdoor activities.

[JayCT]

The Op islooking for a rural feel but one that is not too far from conveniences. There are many places that fit this. I would first look at general locations. I like the greater Hartford area because it is a easy to live in area with great suburbs and all of the conveniences of a large city. I would reallysuggest you consider looking for a good place to set up your practice first but for lack of that I will suggest considering the Farmington
River Valley townd of Farmington, Avon, Simsbury, Granby, Canton and Burlington. These are beautiful upscale towns that have that rural feel you are looking for but are convenient to most shopping and entertainment options plus you are about 2 hours to New York or Boston. Another town that is also very nice is Glastonbury. It is a bit more convenient to major highways and is becoming a sort of medical center for many doctors east of the Connecticut River. Jay

[JViello]

Originally Posted by BearCub12

Hello,

Thank you in advance for your opinions. My young family and I are considering a move to Connecticut from Portland, Oregon. We are looking for the usual: a small to mid-size city that is very safe, lots of young families, very scenic and relatively close to a bigger city. A modest house (2-3 bedroom) on some property for under $300K would be nice.
Also, I'm wondering about the attitudes of Connecticut residents towards people from out of state moving there - I've heard East-coasters can be cold towards non-natives and would appreciate any opinions on that. Thanks so much!

Note to everyone posting: Did you see the budget?

1. People here don't care where you came from. Many themselves are from somewhere else or are second generation etc. There is no real "outsider" crooked eye stuff that goes on here. It just doesn't.

2. While West Hartford is nice, you'll have a heck of a time finding a home on property in West Hartford for under 300K and most of it is fairly "urban/suburban" with smaller lots and homes close together. I would suggest looking East of the River in South Windsor, Bolton, Coventry, Hebron. They are smaller towns but very close to places like Manchester (small city with shopping restaurants etc) and a short distance to Hartford (Medium sized city with plenty to do). Those are the places you'll find a home for that price range with space to roam, but will not be "out there" either. Scenic is our middle name no matter where you are really.

[renovating]

Originally Posted by BearCub12

. A modest house (2-3 bedroom) on some property for under $300K would be nice.

Originally Posted by BearCub12

I'm a chiropractor

I am a little curious as to why your budget is so low...here in CT chiropractors with a few years experience salary is about 150k....most start out around 120k...seems to me you could afford a lot more house and have your pick of towns in the state.

[AnonChick]

Probably because he isn't established yet and doesn't want to risk losing everything by overestimating his potential to succeed in a saturated market.