[JayCT]

mj55 - You are correct that Hartford does have great potential, but you have to understand that it is a small city (only 17 square miles with 124,000 people) surrounded by 168 other small towns throughout the state. To expect everything to be located within the city itself is not realistic. The region is just not large enough for that. Providence only has a mall downtown because they literally forced it there with massive tax breaks and it has dramatically (and negatively) effected its suburban ones. Yes living in Hartford may mean having to drive 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there, but it is not that bad in comparison to other metro areas. how long does it take you to get to different things in Chicago? Probably longer than the 10 minutes it would take here in Connecticut.

I also wanted to comment on your visits to Glastonbury and West Hartford. I am surprised you would think these towns are more than quiet suburbs. West Hartford Center is very nice compact and interesting. Glastonbury is a great place to raise kids. They are not urban and never claimed to be or even want to be.

Don't apologize for what you said. You said nothing wrong. It is clearly that you were expecting something different than you found. I think you might be pleasantly surprised when you move here and find things like you actually can get into your favorite restaurant without having to wait an hour or more for a table. Or that when you go into a store and need to find something you don't have to wait 10 minutes for a clerk. Little things like this mean a lot too. Good luck and best wishes. Jay

[tchemgrrl]

Frankly, I'm a little surprised people on this board don't expect more from their core city.

Hartford's *not* the core city, though; there are 3 or 4 other cities in the state with comparable populations, and Bridgeport and New Haven have comparable population densities (all less than Evanston, and it should be noted that I really like Evanston but you probably do go downtown to get to cultural activities, Schaumberg for shopping, etc.). Overall, CT is pretty evenly populated, and has been for a long long time. A more even population density is what leads to the type of environment you're talking about, in which there's some good stuff in this town, nice shops over here, a museum 20 minutes away, etc. When you put it all together, it's fantastic; when you consider the reasonably close proximity to larger cities it's even more fantastic. But you're right in that the area probably isn't what you're looking for, though as people upthread have mentioned, there are some good indications that it might be there in a few years.

[skytrekker]

tchemgrll

you made an excellent evaluation of Connecticut in general. Its a small state of a mere 5300 square miles. Hartford is the largest metro 'area' with 1.250 million. But the city is a small 'footprint'- and area wise is the same size or even smaller then many of the surrounding towns.

The amenities are not centralized. Although much of the regions cultural venues are in the city. But the American Museum of Art is in New Britain- 15 miles away-is considered one of the finest art museums in the nation. While The Goodspeed Opera house is in East Haddam- over 20 miles from Hartford.

I cannot think of any state in the nation having so much to do, for the arts, recreation, proximity to beaches, mountains, forests within an a half hour to one hour driving within the state, and 1.5-2.5 hours away from some of the most impressive places on the planet.

[westender]

For the OP, I would recommend looking at the central West End -- the area bordered by Woodland Street, Farmington Avenue, Asylum Avenue, and Prospect Avenue. This might be an alternative to downtown and also to West Hartford center. It is more urban than Glastonbury, and it is close to both downtown and West Hartford center.

Nearby you have the CT Historical Society, the UConn law school, the Hartford Seminary, the Mark Twain House, Real Art Ways, the greater Hartford design center, shops and restaurants on Farmington Avenue, the nearby retail on Park Street (both sides of city line), and a nice supply of housing. 5 minutes to downtown (for the Wadsworth, Hartford Stage, restaurants, jobs, etc.) and 5 minutes to Blue Back Square, and West Hartford center.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by westender

For the OP, I would recommend looking at the central West End -- the area bordered by Woodland Street, Farmington Avenue, Asylum Avenue, and Prospect Avenue. This might be an alternative to downtown and also to West Hartford center. It is more urban than Glastonbury, and it is close to both downtown and West Hartford center.

Nearby you have the CT Historical Society, the UConn law school, the Hartford Seminary, the Mark Twain House, Real Art Ways, the greater Hartford design center, shops and restaurants on Farmington Avenue, the nearby retail on Park Street (both sides of city line), and a nice supply of housing. 5 minutes to downtown (for the Wadsworth, Hartford Stage, restaurants, jobs, etc.) and 5 minutes to Blue Back Square, and West Hartford center.

Westender - Good suggestion, Jay

[skytrekker]

As I alluded to earlier, give Hartford 5 more years, it will be everything Providence is today.
I doubt it will ever approach the Rhode Island city and its many zany sinful (but fun) opportunities.
Hartford is button down Insurance- Providence is more 'Walk on the Wild Side'. I prefer to not elaborate.

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

I cannot think of any state in the nation having so much to do, for the arts, recreation, proximity to beaches, mountains, forests within an a half hour to one hour driving within the state, and 1.5-2.5 hours away from some of the most impressive places on the planet.

California.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by HeadedWest

California.

A half hour in LA traffic MIGHT get you 5 miles from where you started.

[skytrekker]

Headed West-California?- is Paris Burning?
Thats a hellish situation- I feel for those people- I used to love California-no more.
Here come those Santa Ana winds again

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Headed West-California?- is Paris Burning?
Thats a hellish situation- I feel for those people- I used to love California-no more.

It has more of everything you listed than CT does. Be fair.