[newyork2050]

Are new haven bridgeport and hartford really as bad as people say

[JayCT]

No, not really. These are large cities by Connecticut standards. They have a couple of areas that have issues. But they also have a LOT of nice neighborhoods and amenities that are wonderful. I wouldn't hestiate to live in them, but would be careful picking the neighborhood. Jay

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by newyork2050

Are new haven bridgeport and hartford really as bad as people say

From my experience, CT cities are not nearly as "bad" as their reputation. Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven have their woes and bad 'hoods, but overall they have many more wealthy neighborhoods than a lot of comparable cities in the south, for instance. These cities are all undergoing major revitalizations, with Hartford really leading the way and doing the most. New Haven isn't far behind. However, Bridgeport has a lot of work to do, but I think within 10 more years, Bridgeport will be a strinkingly different city. IF the leadership is in place.

[notjustamom]

It depends on what you mean by "bad". If you don't like big cities in general, you may not care for Bridgeport and Hartford. But people who love cities don't seem to mind much of Bridgeport and Hartford.

[Chris the Man!]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

From my experience, CT cities are not nearly as "bad" as their reputation. Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven have their woes and bad 'hoods, but overall they have many more wealthy neighborhoods than a lot of comparable cities in the south, for instance. These cities are all undergoing major revitalizations, with Hartford really leading the way and doing the most. New Haven isn't far behind. However, Bridgeport has a lot of work to do, but I think within 10 more years, Bridgeport will be a strinkingly different city. IF the leadership is in place.

For me, the problem is the leadership. If the Executive leaders of the city, town, or state stopped becoming corrupted, and going down the "slippery slope", our state, and our cities will be better. But like in many cases in our cities like Hartford, Bridgeport, Waterbury, our political leader, not always, but many times, become corrupted. We just have to do our homework when we vote, and make sure we DO vote. Don't vote do to their ethnecity,or gender, but because they are the best choice.

[njguy]

In NJ we have Jersey City and Newark which in itself in most areas in these places don't have a great following/reputation - if someone who currently lives there were to relocate to Bridgeport or New Haven in its worst spots , to them it would feel like they moved to "Taj Mahal" in comparison.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by Chris the Man!

For me, the problem is the leadership. If the Executive leaders of the city, town, or state stopped becoming corrupted, and going down the "slippery slope", our state, and our cities will be better. But like in many cases in our cities like Hartford, Bridgeport, Waterbury, our political leader, not always, but many times, become corrupted. We just have to do our homework when we vote, and make sure we DO vote. Don't vote do to their ethnecity,or gender, but because they are the best choice.

That's a good point--because it most likely all starts with leadership. The rise and fall of a city, anyway. Bridgeport is a perfect example of what a corrupt leadership for decades does to a city. It's a shame. It's revitalization ideas and proposals seem to be headed in the right direction, anyway.

[uconn99]

Not bad at all. If you stay away from the areas most people shouldn't be in, you probably will never see a crime happen. This isn't saying your car may never be broken into or stolen in either of the downtowns, but that happens in suburbia just as much these days.

[Juliangel]

I have also lived in Hartford and Bridgeport with family in new haven. Where there are more people living there will be more problems (social, financial, and political). As others have said there are nice areas in all of the cities and you have the added bonus of frequent activities. The riverside in hartford has alot to offer and great summers. Bridgport has Black Rock with Barnum history, the ferry to NY. It all depends on the person.
Fell Free to contact me.
Julia

[CT by choice]

I'm reposting my response from a different thread where CT's "big" cities were getting dissed but it seems to be just at home on this one.

Originally Posted by CT by choice

Do you hate cultural attractions such as theaters and museums? Do streets lined with an exciting array of restaurants featuring cuisine from the around the globe make you want to stay home and watch a DVD? Do you prefer strip malls to world class universities and all they bring to a community-such as unique architectural character, that special vibe you only find in college towns, and the exciting night life that grows up in their shadow? Do you despise that annoying lack of homogenousness that invariably results from all the pesky diversity found wherever people and ideas are in abundance? If so, you'll want to add New Haven to top of your negative list and Hartford will be way up there too!! ;-)

I am always amused at what really comes across as fearful suburbanites barricaded in their bedroom communities occasionally gathering the courage to make a daring foray behind "enemy lines" into the hearts of darkness that are Connecticut's urban centers. With their admonishments to "be careful not to get shot" they sound as if their lives have become completely sheltered and informed only by sensational, fear mongering, local television news.

JayCT, jjbradleynyc, and uconn99 have it exactly right in their above posts. These cities have a lot to offer but some also some bad with the good. They are also pretty much all getting better.