[pulpfiction]

Originally Posted by angie91

Property tax on cars huh? That's interesting. No, we don't have that here in Texas. haha I was trying to look for apartments in Mystic and Waterford but I see more in Groton...? Nobody has mentioned Groton so maybe that's not the best place? I've seen a bunch in New London...*sigh* I definitely have my work cut out for me.

CT taxes you on everything, except (most) groceries. Because of this--and other factors such as the highest gas tax in the country-- your salary will feel quite significantly lower.

The fact of the matter is that CT isn't a good place to start out. I did, and regret it..despite having a good job. You'll find that people stay exclusively within their own circle, the infrastructure is horrible, and life is just stressful here in general.

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

CT taxes you on everything, except (most) groceries. Because of this--and other factors such as the highest gas tax in the country-- your salary will feel quite significantly lower.

The fact of the matter is that CT isn't a good place to start out. I did, and regret it..despite having a good job. You'll find that people stay exclusively within their own circle, the infrastructure is horrible, and life is just stressful here in general.

Despite all those signs that said otherwise leading up to the election, gas taxes in CT are not the highest in the country - #3 at this time - behind California (easily the leader) and New York, and just ahead of Hawaii at #4.

Map of State Gasoline Tax Rates in 2014 | Tax Foundation

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by runforfun

Groton is fine, I actually live there but it does not have that much going on by itself. You end up going to mystic/stonington/casinos for food/nightlife. Groton does have a pretty strong navy presence as that is where they build subs/ have a base. Overall it's nice though, much better than New London. Groton probably has the most apt complexes in the general area. You could also consider renting a house/ partial house converted as an apt. I had a friend who rented a second floor of a house in mystic as an apt. Depends really what you are looking for. I believe she found that on Craigslist but not sure.

Groton could be a good option for a rental - plus, the property taxes there are much lower than in Norwich, so you could end up saving a decent amount of money in car taxes if you have a nice car (maybe $100 to $150)

The downtown area of New London is fine during the daytime - some decent restaurants, some art galleries and music shops - but, I am not sure how safe it would be at night on a daily basis, and some of the areas surrounding the downtown are pretty sketchy and run down. There are some decent residential areas outside of that, though: we have some friends that are renting a small home off of Ocean Ave in New London and it's perfectly fine there, and it's filled with well maintained older homes. Plus, it's walking distance to Ocean Beach.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

Despite all those signs that said otherwise leading up to the election, gas taxes in CT are not the highest in the country - #3 at this time - behind California (easily the leader) and New York, and just ahead of Hawaii at #4.

Map of State Gasoline Tax Rates in 2014 | Tax Foundation

Our gas tax is not static. It is variable. The tax is .25/gallon, plus 8.1% of the gross receipts from the sale of gas. Right now, it would probably equate to .45/.46 per gallon. However, when pump prices are like $3.50, which they basically seemed to be most of last year, the tax works out to more like .53/gallon.

[DawnMTL]

I'm not the only one here who is mentally fixing up angie91 (the OP) and runforfun, right?

[Stephy0519]

Just as an FYI with the car taxes--it's a once a year thing. You should get a bill in July, with half of the tax due by the end of July and the other half of the tax due by the end of December. It's a pain in the butt, yes, but as a resident, you get used to it.

You will be completely fine on what you are making. Also, New London is a good place to pick up some cute military men from the sub base

I had a friend that lived in Groton, right by the base for a few years and she was fine with it. She had a cute apartment for around 900 a month (1 bedroom, heat/hot water included) and she did just fine. Her nightlife was New London/the casinos, mostly. With the RI beaches in the summer, as well. Bluff Point is gorgeous for running/hiking, too, and that is right in Groton.

FYI, she was living there at your age (she's younger than me) and she was originally from out of state and made a bunch of friends. She lived on less of a salary than you are looking at.

[NewHavensFinest]

Youre better off getting settled in somewhere first, and then exploring. New London area is OK for starting out. I wouldnt mind it at all. Some of the surrounding towns up to where youd be working are rural areas. Like, nothing but trees and rocks. It is VERY nice though.

I couldnt really imagine coming from a place like TX to CT. When it comes to driving from one place to another whether its to go shopping, or for nightlife.

Myself, being in New Haven is right in the middle of everything. Its nothing for me to drive or take the train to NYC for the day, and get back to New Haven and drive up to Misquamicut beach in Rhode Island and stay up there for the night.

Im not saying I did that every weekend, but its been done. New Haven is my nightlife "zone". The Casinos are right up your way and thats really nice. When I was big into poker, I was up there 5 days a week sometimes. Living in New Haven, thats roughly 120 miles there and back. I know that sounds REALLY bad, but I was doing well.

I would keep my daily commute (way)less than say 25 miles each way if its possible. Get settled in, meet co workers, drive around and discover places when you have free time. You shouldnt have trouble getting friendly with coworkers. Younger people in the CT work-place seem to get excited about a new out-of-state person and are usually more than happy to show them around and give the 411.

One piece of advice for you..... New Haven Pizza. Best Pizza spots in the nation!

BUT, if you dont feel like driving to New Haven, Mohegan Sun has a Pepes Pizza. Its not the same, but its pretty much the same thing.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

CT taxes you on everything, except (most) groceries. Because of this--and other factors such as the highest gas tax in the country-- your salary will feel quite significantly lower.

The fact of the matter is that CT isn't a good place to start out. I did, and regret it..despite having a good job. You'll find that people stay exclusively within their own circle, the infrastructure is horrible, and life is just stressful here in general.

I get annoyed when people say this. Where is it so much better to live? Everywhere has its pluses and minuses. Connecticut is a beautiful state with a LOT to offer. People here don't realize how good it is. You are near so much: beaches, mountains, cities, countryside, history etc. What more do you want? Jay

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I get annoyed when people say this. Where is it so much better to live? Everywhere has its pluses and minuses. Connecticut is a beautiful state with a LOT to offer. People here don't realize how good it is. You are near so much: beaches, mountains, cities, countryside, history etc. What more do you want? Jay

And, while the infrastructure can be improved here in Connecticut, there are many states that have barely any public transportation. 35-40 million people per year ride on the New Haven Line of Metro North (including those that get on in Westchester). The rail system in Austin, TX carries about as many passengers as Shoreline East for a metro area that's a bit bigger than Hartford's metro area

[amandaboore]

Where were you offered a job? If your salary isn't sufficient it will be very trying to afford a single family apartment. The Norwich area has high rental rates compared to pay. This area doesn't offer much. The only perk is that its an hour away from Providence where there are tons of clubs to enjoy as well as incredible restaurants. Norwich is just shy of 2 hours from Boston which offers not only culture but nightlife! To get to NYC it takes about an hour and a half utilizing the express train out of the Metro hubs in the western side of the state. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you have job offers elsewhere, I'd take a long hard look at them. Norwich does not offer much but poverty and casinos. The 'single' seen is nonexistent and the younger crowds are exiting in droves. This area is not thriving in any sense of the word. Best of luck and I hope you find a place!