[JayCT]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

Easy Boston suburbs...housing in some Boston suburbs may be higher than Hartford/Valley area of CT. The taxes are probably similiar in cost. However, what you put in for taxes and COL is well worth it in the Boston area.

That is your opinion. I know someone who is young that moved to Boston and feels the exact opposite. Jay

[RunD1987]

Just saying outside of the Valley near Hartford school's aren't great. Not much to do. Where you have historical sites near the Boston area, have amazing universities, amazing historical libraries, your bear Boston, near zoo's, near aquariums, near Boston itself, near the Red Soxs (Booo)/Celtics/Bruins, some of the U.S. bear hospital's, your near the Blue Hill Reservation/Cape Cod/Salem, and area is walkable.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

Just saying outside of the Valley near Hartford school's aren't great. Not much to do. Where you have historical sites near the Boston area, have amazing universities, amazing historical libraries, your bear Boston, near zoo's, near aquariums, near Boston itself, near the Red Soxs (Booo)/Celtics/Bruins, some of the U.S. bear hospital's, your near the Blue Hill Reservation/Cape Cod/Salem, and area is walkable.

What??? You are so WRONG. There are MANY towns with excellent schools outside "the Valley" near Hartford. West Hartford and Glastonbury are not in "the Valley" and their schools are among the top in the state. Also schools in Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Newington, South Windsor, Bolton, Tolland, Mansfield, Ellington, Marlborough, Hebron and East Hampton are all very good. I could go on but you get my point. Jay

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

Just saying outside of the Valley near Hartford school's aren't great. Not much to do. Where you have historical sites near the Boston area, have amazing universities, amazing historical libraries, your bear Boston, near zoo's, near aquariums, near Boston itself, near the Red Soxs (Booo)/Celtics/Bruins, some of the U.S. bear hospital's, your near the Blue Hill Reservation/Cape Cod/Salem, and area is walkable.

I'd agree with this (and again, this forum is for opinions). Were it not for my job which brought us to the Hartford area, objectively speaking we would have preferred the Boston area by far.

[RunD1987]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

I'd agree with this (and again, this forum is for opinions). Were it not for my job which brought us to the Hartford area, objectively speaking we would have preferred the Boston area by far.

I agree with that if I could afford and find a job I move up to Boston.

[NY Annie]

I lived in RI for over 25 years - spent a lot of time visiting both Boston and different areas in CT. Boston is nice to visit but I really wouldn't want to live there so that would put me in CT given your only 2 choices.

Boston's traffic is horrid at best. Sure, you'd have all the cultural/historical places to visit but, if you lived in CT, you'd be halfway between NYC and Boston - the best of both worlds for the culture/history/dining options. It's far more difficult to deal with a vehicle in the Boston area than the Hartford vicinity - I've driven extensively in both areas. Family-wise, to me, it's a no-brainer - CT handsdown.


But - yup, always a but. I've been to the Oakland area a few times - have you really considered the differences in weather? Are you sure you want to be in New England? The snowfall/precipitation this year is guesstimated as being even higher than in previous years. The cold temps are one of the reasons we chose to move south for our retirement. If you're easily mobile because of your at-home jobs, then give it a try but don't be surprised if a couple winters in New England has you racing south or even "out west" again.

[hvexpatinct]

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

I know people in Avon and Simsbury (in nice homes) that live near Rt 44 that can walk to the 24 hour Walgreens, a CVS, a Rite Aid, Stop & Shop, hair salons, a gym, a movie theater and a whole bunch of restaurants. And, if they want to cross Rt 167 with the light, they can get to Staples, Best Buy, either a Petco or Pet Supplies Plus, and more restaurants. If you cross 44 with the light, you can also get to a large Hartford Hospital affiliated medical facility and more restaurants.

A lot of people in this part of the country, though, prefer to have the safety of not having heavy retail traffic right outside of their doors - hence the popularity of places in Avon like Buckingham, Northington Ridge and Kingswood.

Yeah, but it's a bit of culture shock to realize that you have to drive on a 2 lane road to Plainville or Torrington to go to Lowes, or to T-ton or New Britain to get to a Target. Errands turn into a half day trip.

I am totally playing devil's advocate.... I live in Litchfield county now, by choice. I honestly don't care about great access to retail for the most part. I just want people to realize and be prepared for the way in which things that may be taken for granted where they are now are NOT part of standard reality in CT.

[FutureTown]

Much of populated CT isn't like that. For example, I just have to jump on I-84, go down a couple exits, and I have all my retail shopping in Danbury. Some of the other towns nearby also provide some good choices (Southbury, Trumbull, etc).

Essentially, within 20 minutes, I have everything nearby me.

Hartford County is the same. I know places like Berlin turnpike seem to have everything lined up imaginable.

[howdydoody342]

Originally Posted by NY Annie

I lived in RI for over 25 years - spent a lot of time visiting both Boston and different areas in CT. Boston is nice to visit but I really wouldn't want to live there so that would put me in CT given your only 2 choices.

Boston's traffic is horrid at best. Sure, you'd have all the cultural/historical places to visit but, if you lived in CT, you'd be halfway between NYC and Boston - the best of both worlds for the culture/history/dining options. It's far more difficult to deal with a vehicle in the Boston area than the Hartford vicinity - I've driven extensively in both areas. Family-wise, to me, it's a no-brainer - CT handsdown.


But - yup, always a but. I've been to the Oakland area a few times - have you really considered the differences in weather? Are you sure you want to be in New England? The snowfall/precipitation this year is guesstimated as being even higher than in previous years. The cold temps are one of the reasons we chose to move south for our retirement. If you're easily mobile because of your at-home jobs, then give it a try but don't be surprised if a couple winters in New England has you racing south or even "out west" again.

its supposed to be warmer with la nina

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

I'd agree with this (and again, this forum is for opinions). Were it not for my job which brought us to the Hartford area, objectively speaking we would have preferred the Boston area by far.

Do you agree that schools in towns like West Hartford and Glastonbury "aren't great"? I think you will agree that his comment on schools is completely off. Jay