There are better places to live than Connecticut (Manchester: environment, lawyer)

[JViello]

Originally Posted by uconn99

You are right, every place does have good and bad. There is no way the good in Texas outweigh the good in Connecticut. No way!

My dad can beat up your dad.

Yes living here has it's perks. God knows I've moved around trying to find better...but it COST YOU and if you are middle class - hang on.

What I have seen in the last 10 years is the state head in the wrong direction IMHO and change drastically. I don't think we ever really recovered from the 89-92 recession and the impact it made on the Hartford area.

Yes I have a home worth right around 300K. But I'm starting to really see that the reality is it is very expensive to live here and raise a family when all things are factored in and I'm starting to wonder if I can make it with children and no old money to back me up.

Most everyone I know - friends, neighbors and family that are doing well either

A. Work for the goverment. (Town or state)
B. Got a decent chunk of money from somewhere. (Gift, inheritance [sp?] etc)
C. Are households with 130-140K+ income.

For the people trying to make it "first generation" here with both parents earning 40-60K it is unbelievable tough.

Texas has it's good parts, and it's bad parts just like anywhere else. Some of the most quality people I've known in CT were here from TX. (Mostly in SW CT)

[jp03]

Originally Posted by JViello

My dad can beat up your dad.

Yes living here has it's perks. God knows I've moved around trying to find better...but it COST YOU and if you are middle class - hang on.

What I have seen in the last 10 years is the state head in the wrong direction IMHO and change drastically. I don't think we ever really recovered from the 89-92 recession and the impact it made on the Hartford area.

Yes I have a home worth right around 300K. But I'm starting to really see that the reality is it is very expensive to live here and raise a family when all things are factored in and I'm starting to wonder if I can make it with children and no old money to back me up.

Most everyone I know - friends, neighbors and family that are doing well either

A. Work for the goverment. (Town or state)
B. Got a decent chunk of money from somewhere. (Gift, inheritance [sp?] etc)
C. Are households with 130-140K+ income.

For the people trying to make it "first generation" here with both parents earning 40-60K it is unbelievable tough.

Texas has it's good parts, and it's bad parts just like anywhere else. Some of the most quality people I've known in CT were here from TX. (Mostly in SW CT)

How do you stand the heat though?? I just dont get that part. I am in NC it was sooo hot last summer.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by jp03

How do you stand the heat though?? I just dont get that part. I am in NC it was sooo hot last summer.

To be fair, last year you guys in NC had one of the hottest Summers on record.

It does get hot for sure though.

If you think it's hot there...try living in Orlando for 5 years! The first two years were brutal, but after that I kind of flipped the other way got used to it and started hating the cold.

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by JViello

To be fair, last year you guys in NC had one of the hottest Summers on record.

It does get hot for sure though.

If you think it's hot there...try living in Orlando for 5 years! The first two years were brutal, but after that I kind of flipped the other way got used to it and started hating the cold.

I can deal with heat. It's the humidity that I can't stand. Orlando has one of the most oppresive climates in this country for 9 months out of the year. When people say its 85 degrees in Orlando, they are only telling you half of the story. Noone ever says "It's 85 degrees here in Orlando with 100% humidty which makes it feel like 110, so when you walk outside you instantly start sweating profusely". There are far better areas to live in Florida than Orlando.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by markhunt

I can deal with heat. It's the humidity that I can't stand. Orlando has one of the most oppresive climates in this country for 9 months out of the year. When people say its 85 degrees in Orlando, they are only telling you half of the story. Noone ever says "It's 85 degrees here in Orlando with 100% humidty which makes it feel like 110, so when you walk outside you instantly start sweating profusely". There are far better areas to live in Florida than Orlando.

Don't forget the sun is about 150 time stronger too!

You exchange the cold season for the hot season no doubt.

What I found living there was to plan accordingly. Don't EVER try to mow your lawn after 10:30am, don't leave your car in the sun without some form of windshield blocker, don't walk out of the house with your suit jacket on and expect to not be a sweaty mess by the time you back out of your driveway etc etc.

Some of the same practices you have here in the cold you have to practice for the heat. (Prestarting the car, only going out at certain times of day, getting holed up inside etc etc)

After a couple years, once I learned to live in shorts, short sleeved light shirts and no socks/sandals and go out only in the mornings and evenings - it was actually pretty nice. LOL

[skytrekker]

JViello

just a few comments- I have never worked for the state of Connecticut- wish I had!
I have had to scrap by like you as a free agent- and I totally emphasize with your feelings about 'A trust fund' inheritance....etc or state and local employment. My biggest concerns are spiraling out of control health care costs
and how we can reform a system that is becoming increasingly worse.

One thing to consider- the national economy is sliding-rapidly- and nowhere in the near future will be safe.

[Cruikshl]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Texas=

Poor schools, some of the worst pollution in the country, quality of life factors? Texas rates in the lower quarter of all states, Connecticut top 5 states. Texas has Poor library services, poor services for the elderly, high crime rate- non existent hate crime laws, infant mortality rate among the nations highest. Texas has the highest percentage of people with no health care coverage- yep its a great place to live. As far as income being the 'same' NO.

You may pay more here- but it is safer, cleaner and more people oriented- Texas is for the most part a hell hole-

My Sketrekker how long did you live in Texas?

[skytrekker]

I have never lived in Texas- have visited much- the data and information above can easily be verified by a Geographer; Demographer or Sociologist- I meet the requirements of the 1st and last disciplines.

Or the data can easily be found on line by objective studies that rate and gather empirical information on schools, environment, crime rates, health care et al.

If you like I can provide links to ALL of the above quality of life factors.

[Cruikshl]

Originally Posted by notjustamom

I would love to live in some areas of Texas, but at the same time there are several towns in Connecticut that I like. But the two states are vastly different, it's like comparing apples to oranges.

You are so right. Texas has never been my thing, but with that said I respect those who love it and understand why they would feel that way. I'm not going to act like an expert on somewhere I've never put down roots, only visited. I've moved so much that I know there is good and bad about every place.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by Cruikshl

You are so right. Texas has never been my thing, but with that said I respect those who love it and understand why they would feel that way. I'm not going to act like an expert on somewhere I've never put down roots, only visited. I've moved so much that I know there is good and bad about every place.

The original post as I recall was negative about Connecticut
I feel as a 'Connecticuter' I have the right to express my feelings as the OP did.
Lets try and keep personal feelings about forum members limited -thanks