[TanmayBits]

Hi,

I am currently working and staying in Stamford, CT. My wife will be starting her job in Hartford, hence planning to move closer to that place.
Looking to get some tips/suggestions on which is a better place to stay in terms of safety and availability of public transport. To start we will be using public transport for commutation only. Price range i am looking for is around $1000. Want to stay closer to Hartford, Farmington Ave / Hartford Union station or New Haven Union station - so as to have less commuting time.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Commuting from Hartford to Stamford via public transit is not viable.

At your budget, the only viable places would be West Haven, Milford, or Stratford.

[Mr_250]

Hartford to Stamford - no go. Cost plus travel would drain you after a couple months.

As SCR stated, best bet would be to stay on the end of the I91 Corridor. Train stations from West Haven into Stamford and train from New Haven into Hartford. Not sure how long you plan on staying in New Haven area but they are currently building the New Haven-Hartford Rail which would help you out. This won't be finished until 2016, but something to look forward too.

[JayCT]

There is only the expensive and occasional Amtrak service from New Haven to Hartford so using a train is not recommended. There are buses so check the CT Transit schedule for times and prices. It would be best to be able to drive to Hartford but if you must only use mass transit I would suggest living in downtown New Haven for the easiest access to the train to Stamford and buses to Hartford. I am not sure what you will find for your price there though. Jay

[Stylo]

This is a tough situation. As mentioned you'd be much better off driving to Hartford. If you can do that, Stratford/Milford is a good suggestion as a mid-way point. As long as the job in Stamford is near the train.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by JayCT

There is only the expensive and occasional Amtrak service from New Haven to Hartford so using a train is not recommended. There are buses so check the CT Transit schedule for times and prices. It would be best to be able to drive to Hartford but if you must only use mass transit I would suggest living in downtown New Haven for the easiest access to the train to Stamford and buses to Hartford. I am not sure what you will find for your price there though. Jay

Express bus service is available from Union Station to Hartford. The Union Station area isn't the greatest though, hence the recommendation that the OP concentrate on West Haven/Milford/Stratford. The areas surrounding the train stations in those towns are decent or better, and a 1BR at $1000 won't be impossible.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Express bus service is available from Union Station to Hartford. The Union Station area isn't the greatest though, hence the recommendation that the OP concentrate on West Haven/Milford/Stratford. The areas surrounding the train stations in those towns are decent or better, and a 1BR at $1000 won't be impossible.

That's an understatement, the area around Union Station is one of the worst in New Haven and a big focus of the city as a redevelopment tract.

THAT SAID, tons of people take the free shuttle from downtown, or other buses, or walk to the station without a problem. It's only very late at night that I would be concerned. That said, I definitely would strongly advise against living in that neighborhood. Downtown Milford and Stratford are Mayberry in comparison.

[JayCT]

The OP and their spouse could live in Ninth Square and walk to New Haven Union Station. From there one could catch the train to Stamford and the other the bus to Hartford. Not as easy if they lived in one of the suburbs. Jay

[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by TanmayBits

Hi,

I am currently working and staying in Stamford, CT. My wife will be starting her job in Hartford, hence planning to move closer to that place.
Looking to get some tips/suggestions on which is a better place to stay in terms of safety and availability of public transport. To start we will be using public transport for commutation only. Price range i am looking for is around $1000. Want to stay closer to Hartford, Farmington Ave / Hartford Union station or New Haven Union station - so as to have less commuting time.

As others have stated there's no public transport from Hartford to Stamford. Even driving a car between the 2 cities isn't really viable either, unless you work 2nd or 3rd shift.

If you don't own a car and have to use public transport New Haven is the only viable place that you can commute to Stamford and Hartford from. Metro north to Stamford and CT transit to Hartford.

Metro north would be 60-70 minutes.

CT Transit would be 60-75 minutes.

The CT transit route is #950 check the schedule here (at bottom of page)

http://www.cttransit.com/expressbusservice/Display.asp?DivID={7428A88D-DDD7-4910-9C2F-AD1E63B94375}

Some large companies in Hartford will pay (at least partially) for their employee's bus passes, so be sure to check into that.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

The OP and their spouse could live in Ninth Square and walk to New Haven Union Station. From there one could catch the train to Stamford and the other the bus to Hartford. Not as easy if they lived in one of the suburbs. Jay

Ninth Square is a pretty good option. Plenty safe but you'll never find an apt for $1000. Maybe $1200 for a small one.