[NewJeffCT]

Welcome to Connecticut.

One thing to keep in mine when moving, Hartford is 17 square miles in size, Houston is 627 square miles, or more than 35 times bigger in area. Houston itself is almost as big as all of Hartford County (750 square miles) and is bigger than Middlesex County (439 sq mi)

Depending on how far you want to commute into Hartford, places like Cromwell and Middletown are pretty easy commutes to Hartford, as well as Rocky Hill and Berlin. Without traffic, I used to make Yankee Stadium in The Bronx in 90 minutes from Cromwell. You could also look into North Haven and Wallingford - they're north of New Haven, but you won't hit any traffic heading north on 91 into Hartford. Both towns, though, would put you 15-20 minutes closer to NYC than Cromwell and Middletown.

If you want to live West of Hartford, you could look at Southington, which is right on 84. That way, you take 84 West out past Danbury and then head south into NYC.

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by KH02

Manchester is a good suggestion, though I would say the schools aren't great. However, I think $1100 a month for a 3 bedroom anywhere is going to be a tough find.

She wants to be closer to NYC, though. So, that would mean south or west of Hartford.

Here is one in Cromwell - a bit higher than $1,100...
3 Bedroom Apartment

3 bedroom in Berlin, $1,100
apartment for rent

[tinac806]

Originally Posted by EricS39

Oh my gosh finally someone like me who appreciates Connecticut's proximity to New York City!

Tina trust me on this. Buy a 3-bedroom home in Manchester, CT and you will be surprised (for Connecticut) how reasonable the price will be. Then consider the schools may be not as outstanding as West Hartford but there's magnet schools for the kids or affordable private school options.

From Manchester it's not any more than a 2-hour scenic drive straight into New York City with I-84 to I-91 south to 15 Merritt parkway

And if you don't wish to drive into the city, you can drive to New Haven or Bridgeport and buy metro-north rail tickets straight "park and ride into Grand Central Station.

I know exactly what you want and this is why I love living here. You want to be able to raise kids in a countrified area and breathe in nice smell of farm...then in 2 hours, be able to walk right into New York City, and have best of both worlds

This is my situation and I love it and I know you will too. Please do not be discouraged by high prices in various towns because you have to believe me, there's affordable spots that will shock your eyes

You are exactly right!! I live in the Panhandle in Texas (many people don't even know where that it is)...but it sucks & I am ready for a change in scenery. My daughter will be a senior & my son a freshman so magnet schools would be a thought. How is the job market in Manchester?

[tinac806]

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

Welcome to Connecticut.

One thing to keep in mine when moving, Hartford is 17 square miles in size, Houston is 627 square miles, or more than 35 times bigger in area. Houston itself is almost as big as all of Hartford County (750 square miles) and is bigger than Middlesex County (439 sq mi)

Depending on how far you want to commute into Hartford, places like Cromwell and Middletown are pretty easy commutes to Hartford, as well as Rocky Hill and Berlin. Without traffic, I used to make Yankee Stadium in The Bronx in 90 minutes from Cromwell. You could also look into North Haven and Wallingford - they're north of New Haven, but you won't hit any traffic heading north on 91 into Hartford. Both towns, though, would put you 15-20 minutes closer to NYC than Cromwell and Middletown.

If you want to live West of Hartford, you could look at Southington, which is right on 84. That way, you take 84 West out past Danbury and then head south into NYC.

I live in Amarillo, Texas, which is way smaller than Houston. Small does not bother me, in fact that is what I am looking for. I'm still looking for "affordable" towns to relocate to, Connecticut will be my choice of state tho. Thanks for the info! Very informative & helpful

[EricS39]

Originally Posted by tinac806

You are exactly right!! I live in the Panhandle in Texas (many people don't even know where that it is)...but it sucks & I am ready for a change in scenery. My daughter will be a senior & my son a freshman so magnet schools would be a thought. How is the job market in Manchester?

I would say Manchester you would want to set house but the job market you will be seeking will be Hartford/West Hartford area. But the commute to Manchester is not a long one and also the proximity to highway makes it so Eventhough Manchester distance-wise is a tad farther east, the commute times are really not bad.
In contrast, some towns west of the river may be closer distance-wise but your commute is a backlog of cars and annoying red lights. The Manchester to the highway is a straight go and I end up driving west I-84 more worried I am going too fast and risking a ticket, than facing traffic.

[tinac806]

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

She wants to be closer to NYC, though. So, that would mean south or west of Hartford.

Here is one in Cromwell - a bit higher than $1,100...
3 Bedroom Apartment

3 bedroom in Berlin, $1,100
apartment for rent

Those prices are both decent & of course I know I'll have to consider going higher than I originally planned. The housing is different in CT than here in Texas. When they say a "three family home"...is that like an apartment complex? Also, utilities...how does that work?

In Texas, you rent a house, set up utilities (no buying oil to heat) and go on your way. I guess I need the ins & outs of living in CT.

[tinac806]

Originally Posted by EricS39

I would say Manchester you would want to set house but the job market you will be seeking will be Hartford/West Hartford area. But the commute to Manchester is not a long one and also the proximity to highway makes it so Eventhough Manchester distance-wise is a tad farther east, the commute times are really not bad.
In contrast, some towns west of the river may be closer distance-wise but your commute is a backlog of cars and annoying red lights. The Manchester to the highway is a straight go and I end up driving west I-84 more worried I am going too fast and risking a ticket, than facing traffic.

Its definitely going to be a change. It takes me 5 minutes to get to work...
I'm totally up for the challenge & ready for a change.

[EricS39]

My community has no heating charges at all. I think your electric bill though will be higher than mine if you have a bigger size home

Mine runs around $55-60/month and $70 in dead of summer from A/C

Also CL&P "Connecticut light and power" isn't the only supplier of electricity and tends to be higher . Sometimes you can contract out with another provider and pay less

Electric is high if you need heating oil. Try to find electric heating included

West Hartford I had an apartment that had free heating that was neither electric nor oil. It was a really old-fashioned rare to find radiator system where you have little vents in each room and you can put your clothes on them to dry even...and they run silently

[tinac806]

Originally Posted by EricS39

My community has no heating charges at all. I think your electric bill though will be higher than mine if you have a bigger size home

Mine runs around $55-60/month and $70 in dead of summer from A/C

Also CL&P "Connecticut light and power" isn't the only supplier of electricity and tends to be higher . Sometimes you can contract out with another provider and pay less

Electric is high if you need heating oil. Try to find electric heating included

West Hartford I had an apartment that had free heating that was neither electric nor oil. It was a really old-fashioned rare to find radiator system where you have little vents in each room and you can put your clothes on them to dry even...and they run silently

Good information. So I'll try to find electric heating included. Electric in my town runs about $100-$150 during summer & I have a 4 bedroom two-story house. I think there are definitely going to be pros/cons to the whole thing. What about the job market?

[EricS39]

Job market in healthcare services and legal services is not bad. Heaithcare, insurance, hospital work, special education, Childcare services, those are the thriving trades around here. Beyond that the state economy has room fir improvement. You may already know the cost of running a business in this state is where things get problematic. If you are in a certain industry it really isn't bad

Hartford still has a high number of insurance jobs between prudential, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna

Hartford hospital employs a lot physicians and nurse technicians

The care.com website is very popular in area for pet and nanny and Childcare opportunities abound

Legal services are always in demand

Also UConn is a high employer of research and university positions, as is UHartford and Trinity College