[sliver203]

Originally Posted by sun

When I initially read the OP, I agreed with it.
I also agree that Hartford has a lot of potential, but IMO it will never be a normal livable city. Maybe this is being a bit pessimistic, but how many of us would actually want to live there?

It's not a place I would raise my family unless I could afford private school - but then again, if I could afford private school, I'd live in a more desirable suburban community near Hartford.

Hartford is good for recent college grads, current college students, those who can't afford the good life in the 'burbs, ghettos (by definition, not slang). There are the neighborhoods with lots of crime and drugs, but you get to know your city well and you stay away from those parts.

Hartford is a professional city by day and does have good nightlife at night. Because of the crime-rate, Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport are nice places to visit and spend $$, but not to live. That's just my opinion however, and I may be biased because I have a newborn.

[skytrekker]

Just a few notes. It seems the OP had some fair comments to make; However many of us have not agreed. And we have tried to give a more total view of the Hartford area, that the OP might have missed in a short visit.

Suddenly we have a group of folks from 'other states' dropping in to give their critiques (mostly negative and disparaging) Of Hartford. I feel these individuals are causing trouble- and should stay in their respective states and 'critique' them. It seems there is an army of trouble makers who when given the first chance to add their negative feelings about CT or Hartford they miraculously 'pop in' out of thin air. I think its only fair to say members of the CT forum are not going to other states saying mean and negative things- I am sure the members of those states would feel anger as well.

Posts by these out of staters (or anybody else) that are Negative, subjective and inflammatory and that are deliberately meant to flame will be deleted- and those posters will be given infractions. Lets try and keep the comments fair and objective. I find it rather sad that folks from out of state or anyone on this forum feel they can post comments that are unfair, subjective and in many cases just plain false. I myself would never go to another state forum, as a resident of CT from CD and have the nerve to post nasty opinions.

Thanks for your cooperation. Skytrekker

[JViello]

Originally Posted by brri

[Hi. The statement about Charlotte is totally untrue. Downtown Charlotte is in no way, no form "far worse" than Hartford, Ct. I am from Providence and New England (39 years), so I know.

Blah blah blah blah...don't get your pants in a bunch. Charlotte IS far worse regardless of the quickbuilt prefab "but we have a performing art center" etc etc things you can come up with. It's sterile, chained out and prefabbed with no fair amount of history or culture. You have bank money that built this and built that. That's it.

How do I know? Well, I didn't live in Providence for 39 years. I'm from Hartford and lived and worked in DT Charlotte on the 54th floor of the BOA Plaza before coming to my senses and moving back.

Thanks for the input though.

keep A moderate tone please!

[skytrekker]

I think its fair to say that all metro areas have pluses and minuses.
Hartford has been a stressed city for many years- but the work and positive changes should not be dismissed.And despite the problems, the city is voted in the top 25 of all metro areas in the USA and Canada for arts and culture. I remember Hartford in 1989, and compared to today, the upswing has been stunning. There is more work to be done- but metro Hartford is one of the best in the nation for having a high quality of life.
We should be proud of that and work to make it better.

I think it is appropriate to point out Hartford's shortcomings and strengths in a fair and balanced way.


Negative and or flaming posts will be edited or deleted.
If one is from out of state; remember the forum rules.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by brri

...quaility of life is much better in the so-called 'new south". That's my unbiased opinion.

ROFL...okay sure.

P.S. Just to be CLEAR - you don't and never actually lived in the Hartford area correct? Just because you "drove through" lots of times makes it even more amusing.

[brri]

Originally Posted by JViello

ROFL...okay sure.

P.S. Just to be CLEAR - you don't and never actually lived in the Hartford area correct? Just because you "drove through" lots of times makes it even more amusing.

Again. I wrote "have visited or driven through Hartford numerous". I don't want to argue with you over which downtown is better. I just thought it was a hillarious statement to say that Charlotte's downtown is "far worse" than Hartford's. These City-data boards are fun to read but sometimes people tend to make outrageous statements. Hartford is not a bad place by any means but it's downtown is just anywhere not close to Charlotte's. You stated that, "Charlotte NC is far worse. It's ghost town after 5pm and there is no history, decent non chain restaurants, theater companies, movie theaters, neighborhoods etc" and I attempted to prove you wrong since I know both area pretty well.
You also said that "there are no (decent?) neighborhoods". Another huge mis-statement. Charlotte has some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the country, and I've been just about everywhere.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by brri

These City-data boards are fun to read but sometimes people tend to make outrageous statements.

I agree, and the fact that your extent of Hartford exposure means you "drove through" or "drove in, got off th exit and into the Civic center parking garage over 12 years ago (To a whalers game)" proves that very point.

You don't know this city and havn't been here in years. I lived in both.

Your (outdated) opinion is appreciated. Thanks for sharing.

In fact, lets play a little game.

Since you know the city so well identify these pictures:

What new project is this?


How about this one?


This one in the top right foreground:


What highway is this?


What new condo development are you looking at right here?


Where is this man walking right now?


Where is this Irish Pub?


Those are just a few examples of what's changed here - lots more. So how good DO you know Hartford?

I don't have anything against Charlotte, but for me it's a bit too "new" and "corporate bank money built". Not a whole lot of history or "city life" there that money can't buy.

P.S. The closest historic neighborhood in Charlotte uptown is Elizabeth park. (Unless you count that 2-3 blocks of small small homes around the N Poplar/9th street area.) I know because it was one of the places I lived when there. Other than that, they demo'd some section 8 housing around college and 8th and built all new stuff which while nice give a very sterile feel. That's a fact, sorry if that bothers you.

[sliver203]

To reply to "Where is this man walking right now?"

Probably to his car from his office, ready to drive home to West Hartford, Farmington, Avon or Glastonbury. (Just joking, of course).

I've spent a great deal of time in Charlotte - more than I have in Hartford actually. Charlotte is a nice city and it's also come a long way since the 1970's. The thing with Charlotte is once you leave the metro area, there's ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in the surrounding vicinity. At least, if one wants to leave Hartford, they can visit the CT shoreline, NYC, Boston, Newport RI, mountains of VT, NH and ME or the casinos. I'm not knocking Charlotte because it's a very nice city with an attractive downtown. I don't embrace that type of "city living" however (if you even want to call it city).

Hartford may have some depressed parts, but you can't knock the Hartford area, as your title said "Bad impression of Hartford & area). Why the area? Did you visit the beautiful suburbs? West Hartford (center), Avon, Simsbury, Glastonbury, or the many idyllic and the many sprawling country towns northeast of the city? All of these towns have some of the most beautiful and affluent neighborhoods in the country, as well as some incredible views which make for wonderful Sunday drives.

OP - come back to Hartford. Explore it. Then get back to us.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by sliver203

To reply to "Where is this man walking right now?"

Probably to his car from his office, ready to drive home to West Hartford, Farmington, Avon or Glastonbury. (Just joking, of course).

I've spent a great deal of time in Charlotte - more than I have in Hartford actually. Charlotte is a nice city and it's also come a long way since the 1970's. The thing with Charlotte is once you leave the metro area, there's ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in the surrounding vicinity. At least, if one wants to leave Hartford, they can visit the CT shoreline, NYC, Boston, Newport RI, mountains of VT, NH and ME or the casinos. I'm not knocking Charlotte because it's a very nice city with an attractive downtown. I don't embrace that type of "city living" however (if you even want to call it city).

Hartford may have some depressed parts, but you can't knock the Hartford area, as your title said "Bad impression of Hartford & area). Why the area? Did you visit the beautiful suburbs? West Hartford (center), Avon, Simsbury, Glastonbury, or the many idyllic and the many sprawling country towns northeast of the city? All of these towns have some of the most beautiful and affluent neighborhoods in the country, as well as some incredible views which make for wonderful Sunday drives.

OP - come back to Hartford. Explore it. Then get back to us.

The OP was expecting a more urban area where there was little or no need for a car and everything within walking distance. Unfortunately the Hartford area is not that. This includes West Hartford and Glastonbury which they thgouth would be "livelier". The OP is coming from Chicago and has visited Providence and Boston and expected a downtown to be very similar to those. Downtown Hartford is several years from that type of downtown but it is coming. All of the new housing being built and the new retail at Front Street (when it gets built) will make a big difference as will the new market at Hartford 21. Jay

[mj55]

Sliver, I think you are missing the point. My husband and I are disappointed with the lack of a cosmopolitan city area in the Hartford area. The suburbs we saw were very nice towns, but they are hardly a substitute for the "city feel." We both think it is very strange that a city with so many big corporations and history allowed itself to become so desolate. We passed plenty of vacant lots and empty buildings. We had a great meal at a restaurant that was surrounded by an empty hotel and an empty television station. We really got the impression that no one cares, either. There were no signs on these lots or buildings that said "coming soon" or "for sale." Our impression was that Hartford has many beautiful buildings and a beautiful central park type of place, but that people just don't care or that is really poorly managed.