[EUPL]

Originally Posted by nep321

I'm 31 and think CT is one of the best places to live in the country (other than southwestern CT). I like the winters and four seasons. Too many people are obsessed with warm weather. My only real complaint about CT is that the gay population is very small, for gays aged 25-35. Most of them leave for places like NYC, Boston, Florida or California because they are metro divas.

CT can be painfully boring and depressing for a young single gay guy. But I'm 31 and only getting older myself, so....

The only place in CT that I think has a vibrant life of some sort is Stamford.

[JayCT]

Connecticut is only boring to people who refuse to take advantage of all it has to offer. What other part of the country can you be close to the beaches, mountains, countryside, urban areas, open space and history that we have? The only thing we really don't have is a really big city. But unless you want to live in a big city, you can live here and still be near two of the greatest cities in the world. Not bad IMHO.

As for the cost of living, from what I have seen, the cost of housing is not that much lower in or near other similar sized cities outside of Fairfield County. You can easily buy a nice smaller condo near New Haven or Hartford for under $150,000. That is no more than a lot of other cities people say are affordable. Also keep in mind that salaries here are arguably higher to compensate for the added costs here. Jay

[nep321]

Originally Posted by EUPL

The only place in CT that I think has a vibrant life of some sort is Stamford.

But I hate Stamford. That is the most plastic corporate city I have ever seen. Tons of new, cheaply built apartment buildings and complexes. And the traffic is atrocious. The city is very congested. The theme of Stamford is work. The city that works. It's also ultra expensive. Like $1,900 for a 1 bd luxury apartment. All they build now are luxury apartments. The only thing Stamford has going for it is that the crime is low and the schools are decent. It is not a fun city by any means. A fun city would be more like New Haven.

[EUPL]

Originally Posted by nep321

But I hate Stamford. That is the most plastic corporate city I have ever seen. Tons of new, cheaply built apartment buildings and complexes. And the traffic is atrocious. The city is very congested. The theme of Stamford is work. The city that works. It's also ultra expensive. Like $1,900 for a 1 bd luxury apartment. All they build now are luxury apartments. The only thing Stamford has going for it is that the crime is low and the schools are decent. It is not a fun city by any means. A fun city would be more like New Haven.

Stamford has a ton of great restaurants, bars, nice mall, great food and best part it is 45 minutes from NYC. New Haven is to ghetto.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by EUPL

Stamford has a ton of great restaurants, bars, nice mall, great food and best part it is 45 minutes from NYC. New Haven is to ghetto.

I disagree. Norwalk actually has better restaurants than Stamford (94 Zagat rated restaurants in Norwalk). Stamford has no bars that are relevant to me (gay). I think it's absolutely pathetic that Stamford doesn't even have ONE gay bar. So, New Haven beats it in that. If by "nice mall" you're talking about Landmark Square.....give me a break. That mall charges for parking, which is absurd. I think Westfarms or Buckland Hills are both nicer malls. Being 45 minutes from NYC is irrelevant, if we are going to evaluate these cities based on their own merits.

[RunD1987]

I like Stamford, Norwalk, and New Haven. A bit too heavily congested but decent restaurants to check out. Bridgeport has a lot of good takeout places. Danbury has good restaurants as well. Can't say much about Waterbury though.

[howdydoody342]

Originally Posted by nep321

I disagree. Norwalk actually has better restaurants than Stamford (94 Zagat rated restaurants in Norwalk). Stamford has no bars that are relevant to me (gay). I think it's absolutely pathetic that Stamford doesn't even have ONE gay bar. So, New Haven beats it in that. If by "nice mall" you're talking about Landmark Square.....give me a break. That mall charges for parking, which is absurd. I think Westfarms or Buckland Hills are both nicer malls. Being 45 minutes from NYC is irrelevant, if we are going to evaluate these cities based on their own merits.

might as well just go to nyc if ur looking for gay bars in stamford

[nep321]

Originally Posted by howdydoody342

might as well just go to nyc if ur looking for gay bars in stamford

Much easier said than done. During my two years of living in Norwalk, I did not go to NYC for gay bars even once. Instead, I went to one in Fairfield, or even up to New Haven, where there are a few half decent ones.

Going to NYC costs big money and time. Much easer to just drive up I-95. Plus, I'd rather invest my time and build relationships and mingle with CT locals than NYC people. I'm a believer in using local amenities instead of having to take a long trip to some other outside city.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by nep321

Much easier said than done. During my two years of living in Norwalk, I did not go to NYC for gay bars even once. Instead, I went to one in Fairfield, or even up to New Haven, where there are a few half decent ones.

Going to NYC costs big money and time. Much easer to just drive up I-95. Plus, I'd rather invest my time and build relationships and mingle with CT locals than NYC people. I'm a believer in using local amenities instead of having to take a long trip to some other outside city.

Not that expensive. Metro North is just $29.50 from Milford, probably $25 from Norwalk max.80 minutes from there max each way.

[BPt111]

What about Hartford, New London area