[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by FILF

Besides you never hear anyone say when I retire I'm moving up North!

Logic and demographics would show there's a LOT of folks who retire here and even in states further north...they just don't talk about it.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

Logic and demographics would show there's a LOT of folks who retire here and even in states further north...they just don't talk about it.

Lol.. I could have sworn I see people with lots of gray hair around town in the middle of the day-- Very unlikely to be employed. We'll likely retire here. I'm definitely a fan of Florida. I lived in Texas for nearly 15 years and I liked it-- but I find Connecticut to be superior.

THere are plenty of people complaining about Austin in the Texas forum. No place is perfect-- You have to find the best fit for you.

[nep321]

I have traveled to 37 states and think CT is one of the best to live in. It's expensive, but the jobs do pay better, and I found it to be overall a well balanced place to live. I like many other states, too though. It's not perfect, but I would rate it an 8 out of 10.

[MSP1216]

Lived in the Philly Suburbs for 20+ years and have been working/living in Stamford for about a year. It has its ups and downs. My fiance knew no one up here but she has met a lot of people through dog parks. Also, she found a barn she really likes for horseback riding. We found a 'replacement' for everything we did down there within 3 months of moving up here.

On the downside, everything that has to do with driving in this state absolutely sucks. No other state charges you for property tax on your car and I-95 is an absolute nightmare if there is even one accident.

But the worst part of Stamford (I don't know if this applies to other towns in CT) is the fact that the drivers are terrible. Stamford drivers are the very definition of 'More money than brains.' I have never seen another place where people have such expensive cars and yet drive them like they want to kill themselves or somebody else. Signals are apparently optional, especially when they're texting. A stoned teenager can drive better than some of the idiots in this town. I wish I was exaggerating.

[Mikecg123]

Originally Posted by FILF

I speak from the heart when I say I hate Connecticut. The taxes suck, gun laws suck, they made a law back in 1986 that was supposed to open up some parks for recreational vehicles which never happened, we have so many laws that even the law makers and police don't know what they are, no death penalty anymore, and not to mention the weather sucks. I can probably think of many more reasons but I'll stop at this point.

Sitting here waiting for the die hards to start the flame war!

Sounds like you belong in Texas.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by Mikecg123

Sounds like you belong in Texas.

Texas sucks IMO. I spent some time in Dallas and Austin and didn't see myself fitting in at all. Despite people saying that Texas isn't the stereotypical Texas that you see in the movies, quite frankly, it is, compared to New England. I'm sorry. As soon as you step foot out of Dallas or Austin, it's redneck/cowboy country anywhere you go. It's a beautiful state though.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by MSP1216

Lived in the Philly Suburbs for 20+ years and have been working/living in Stamford for about a year. It has its ups and downs. My fiance knew no one up here but she has met a lot of people through dog parks. Also, she found a barn she really likes for horseback riding. We found a 'replacement' for everything we did down there within 3 months of moving up here.

On the downside, everything that has to do with driving in this state absolutely sucks. No other state charges you for property tax on your car and I-95 is an absolute nightmare if there is even one accident.

But the worst part of Stamford (I don't know if this applies to other towns in CT) is the fact that the drivers are terrible. Stamford drivers are the very definition of 'More money than brains.' I have never seen another place where people have such expensive cars and yet drive them like they want to kill themselves or somebody else. Signals are apparently optional, especially when they're texting. A stoned teenager can drive better than some of the idiots in this town. I wish I was exaggerating.

The driving in CT only really sucks in lower Fairfield County and sometimes along I-84 in Hartford County. Also, I-95 between New Haven and New London SUCKS during summer weekends.

I agree about driving in Stamford though. It sucks. Too many people using their car horns and a complete lack of patience. Also, The way the road lanes are aligned with lanes on opposing intersections is awful. It requires drivers to shift lanes a bit too often, with very little distance available, and the threat of merging traffic, and many people who don't adhere to continuing across the intersection in the same lane that they were in before they crossed the intersection. It's a nightmare. And then you have to pay attention to one-way roads, too. Driving in Hartford was much easier going. I miss the laid backness of Hartford....sigh.................... .....

[Mr_250]

I like CT. Would I want to try to live somewhere else for a bit..maybe but that would be just to say I did it. Cost of living is high.

[Tilt11]

Some things to like, but there's too much I dislike or find annoying. Cost of living obviously the biggest thing to hate. Taxes, town and state. Seems if you do manage to find a decent home that's not too expensive (still over priced though), its usually on a town with a higher Mill Rate. I think we pay too much in salary and benefits to public employees, town and state.

Roads, traffic, drivers are among the worst I've seen.

I like the four seasons we get but from mu time here, summers are too humid, spring is usually too short or non existant.

Not too fond of many of the people. Far too many uptight, self centered types.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by Mikecg123

I live in and am from Connecticut and I find it to be quite lovely with plenty of natural along with architectural beauty. I would never leave the Northeast/New England. Any activity you desire can be found within a couple hours. It has been wonderful growing up being able to take day trips to NYC, Boston, and even southern coastal Maine. Metro North is especially convenient for getting into NYC and brings you to the spectacular Grand Central Terminal which is a trip in itself. In the summer spending time in the beach towns of Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode island. (I will admit our beaches are not the best) but there are many lovely historic coastal towns and It's interesting seeing LI across the sound. As well as the White Mountains in New Hampshire. New haven is a couple towns south of me and offers a Mini NYC like feel with great food and stunning architecture in the downtown/Yale district. There are great trails all around, scenic drives and hidden dirt roads with beautiful homes/estates/farms tucked away on them. The casinos are also large and beautiful and frequently feature major performers/musicians. The cities have become fairly to severely blighted since there heydays, but If you're comfortable with them offer a great culturally experience with little markets/stores operated by immigrants. I especially like the Polish markets in New Britain. Connecticut is excellent if you want the New England feel without being to far from cities like northern New England. Not to mention its progressive politics including gay marriage legalization and marijuana decriminalization. To all who complain I say move to Oklahoma or many of the other desolate, close minded states and then reevaluate what exactly it was you were complaining about. Also, I love the climate and history.

Yeah, having lived in Oklahoma and Texas etc. I never want to go back there. People see political conspiracies under every rock and live for Faux News. My chief complaint about Ct. are the long winters, but I've begun to realize I could never live in the south again. Ct. is one of the smartest and healthiest states and it's very apparent when you travel elsewhere in the country. I'll take the good with the bad and stay here.