[BPt111]

Originally Posted by hvexpatinct

I live very near there and I would go to T-ton or New Milford any day before I'll go to Waterbury. Torrington has greatly improved in the past 7-8 years and I don't fear for my life there. I think everyone I know has a story of being accosted or vandalized in Waterbury. I'd rather drive through Southeast DC.

Waterbury is not that bad honestly yes it has share of promblems.

[LRPct]

Originally Posted by hvexpatinct

I live very near there and I would go to T-ton or New Milford any day before I'll go to Waterbury. Torrington has greatly improved in the past 7-8 years and I don't fear for my life there. I think everyone I know has a story of being accosted or vandalized in Waterbury. I'd rather drive through Southeast DC.

You must know an awful lot of urbanland stupid people then. I lived in Waterbury for a couple years and NEVER had a problem or felt unsafe. And in the section of Balwin St. that I lived on, appearing to be "white" to most people I was clearly the minority in my neighborhood.

[hvexpatinct]

Originally Posted by LRPct

You must know an awful lot of urbanland stupid people then. I lived in Waterbury for a couple years and NEVER had a problem or felt unsafe. And in the section of Balwin St. that I lived on, appearing to be "white" to most people I was clearly the minority in my neighborhood.

I don't think you were here long enough lol. I've been in the Waterbury area for 10 years. My spouse and I have each had incidents, all of our neighbors have as well - the petty crime and vandalism rates are high.
There are good things too - i love me some Waterbury Italian food - but it's also a seriously messed up place.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

LMAO@ all of you that are afraid of Waterbury.

Bridgeport is a much bigger cesspool than Waterbury could ever possibly be. And honestly, there's only a tiny portion of Bridgeport that i would be truly "afraid" of.

[Mike 75]

True, but at least there are some signs of progress in Bridgeport, and Bridgeport has potential due to its proximity to NYC. The same can't be said for Waterbury. Even John Rowland, the city's guardian angel, couldn't make much of a difference.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

True, but at least there are some signs of progress in Bridgeport, and Bridgeport has potential due to its proximity to NYC. The same can't be said for Waterbury. Even John Rowland, the city's guardian angel, couldn't make much of a difference.

Downtown BPT is rundown it empty.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

True, but at least there are some signs of progress in Bridgeport, and Bridgeport has potential due to its proximity to NYC. The same can't be said for Waterbury. Even John Rowland, the city's guardian angel, couldn't make much of a difference.

Let's not pretend Rowland tried to make much of a difference. He was just collecting a nice salary while running his radio show.

Like other posters have pointed out, there's a lot of irrational fear of Waterbury. I understand preferring the Danbury Mall over the Brass Mill Center (BMC is not a mall to spend the day at, but very convenient when I know what I want), I get wanting to be near a wider variety of stores, and I certainly wouldn't go exploring anything off North Main St. the closer you get to downtown at night - though I did take a wrong turn and ended up there once and I wasn't hassled. But anyone so afraid to drive to Waterbury that they'll go a lot further to Torrington or Danbury for things already in Waterbury...well, you poor things. You either have issues or you NEVER go to cities. The least you could do is admit you're just a snob, if that's the case.

I guarantee you that each Stop & Shop in Waterbury is just fine, the BJs is terrific, the Kohls is great (one floor!), the Target is one of the better ones, Barnes & Noble is always packed (apparently few B&Ns are thriving), the movie theater is like every other theater, the best Italian restaurants and bakery are there,...I could go on.

Will it ever thrive? Some parts do in my opinions, but overall the city needs some help. They can start by knocking down the several abandoned factory buildings. Plenty of Waterbury residents still believe in the city - Perhaps hvexpatinct should be a citizen and get involved in his/her city if it's as bad as she/he thinks it is. That's a lot more productive than dissing your residence.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by jaydez

I will never, ever, go back. I will not go near the green without my CW. It's just not safe anymore.

Some people will not agree with with me. But Waterbury has some serious problems with safety and the residents to who live in the area.

What?!? The downtown green? It is perfectly safe there.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by LRPct

You must know an awful lot of urbanland stupid people then. I lived in Waterbury for a couple years and NEVER had a problem or felt unsafe. And in the section of Balwin St. that I lived on, appearing to be "white" to most people I was clearly the minority in my neighborhood.

Maybe I'm adventurous. If I go from the mall to Sports Authority, I'll cut down East Clay Street (though not at night very often); I've done thousands of birthday parties at Roller Magic with no issues driving home, and I even went into one of those windowless Latino restaurants on South Main Street once and the food was amazing.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

LMAO@ all of you that are afraid of Waterbury.

Bridgeport is a much bigger cesspool than Waterbury could ever possibly be. And honestly, there's only a tiny portion of Bridgeport that i would be truly "afraid" of.

Agreed. Go to some bad areas of Detroit or Chicago for real perspective on what dangerous is.