[TennValleyDuuude]

Thanks for all the replies, I hadn't even looked East of East Hartford yet so thanks for that lead. To answer some questions the $1350 figure is just for rent and I'm accounting for utilities being on top of that. I was aware of the income tax thing, I actually came to TN from a state with income tax so it'll be sad to see that tacked back on my paystub, thanks for the heads up though. I really will take the commute thing into consideration, I'm really super not into that. Right now I live literally 5 minutes from work and it's been awesome so I'd hate to give that up but I can if I have to

[NewJeffCT]

Agree with Hartford Colt above - the traffic in Hartford isn't terrible. It's heavy, but is only there for a short distance. So, a traffic free commute might be 15 minutes, but rush hour might be 20-25 minutes. Of course, if there's an accident, you could be stuck. However, there are usually enough exits where you can get off the highway and go around the traffic. When I lived in western Avon, it would take me 25-30 minutes to get from there to Glastonbury (east of Hartford) and I would have more trouble getting up crowded Route 4 near Farmington High School/Town Hall than I did on 84.

[kidyankee764]

West Hartford to East Hartford is not a terrible commute at all. Yes there will be typical rush hour volume but overall, it's nothing like the traffic in other areas of CT. I suggest the OP do a few dry runs and experience it for themselves to see if it's something they can handle.

[FunkOdyssey]

Originally Posted by TennValleyDuuude

I really will take the commute thing into consideration, I'm really super not into that. Right now I live literally 5 minutes from work and it's been awesome so I'd hate to give that up but I can if I have to

You don't have to. Use google map's directions with the "depart at: X time" feature to predict traffic during rush hour, from different towns to your work address. I think you'll agree living east of the river and directly adjacent to East Hartford makes the most sense. Also, most of the apartment housing in Glastonbury is right near the East Hartford border, as well as many of Manchester's nicer apartments (New State Rd in particular has many different complexes, super convenient to EH).

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by FunkOdyssey

You don't have to. Use google map's directions with the "depart at: X time" feature to predict traffic during rush hour, from different towns to your work address. I think you'll agree living east of the river and directly adjacent to East Hartford makes the most sense.

For commuting purposes, there's no denying that. But if the OP is active and enjoys mingling with a crowd of young professionals similar to his age, I think "east of the river" may be a bit dull. IMO, an extra 15-20 minute round trip commute is worth it. But of course, it's up to the OP to manage their priorities. In today's world of Tinder, plenty of fish, slivr, grinder, etc, app dating makes it much easier to meet people.

[FunkOdyssey]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

For commuting purposes, there's no denying that. But if the OP is active and enjoys mingling with a crowd of young professionals similar to his age, I think "east of the river" may be a bit dull. IMO, an extra 15-20 minute round trip commute is worth it. But of course, it's up to the OP to manage their priorities.

No doubt West Hartford offers better mingling, however I'd rather tack on extra time to the mingling commute than the work commute. Most of us work five days a week and mingle fewer than that. Besides, in the evening after rush hour, you can reach West Hartford center in only 15 min from the areas I'm talking about.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by TennValleyDuuude

Thanks for all the replies, I hadn't even looked East of East Hartford yet so thanks for that lead. To answer some questions the $1350 figure is just for rent and I'm accounting for utilities being on top of that. I was aware of the income tax thing, I actually came to TN from a state with income tax so it'll be sad to see that tacked back on my paystub, thanks for the heads up though. I really will take the commute thing into consideration, I'm really super not into that. Right now I live literally 5 minutes from work and it's been awesome so I'd hate to give that up but I can if I have to

To be that close or not much further, you definitely should be looking in either Glastonbury or Manchester. You would not even necessarily have to get on a highway and deal with commuter traffic if you pick one of them. Manchester has a lot of apartments. There are newer complexes out around the Buckland Hills mall, older converted mill building apartments in the Cheney Mill district near downtown or a wide range of different apartment and condos all around town.

One thing you should also know that you are going to be paying taxes on your car here. Each town taxes cars just like other property. Each town sets their own tax rate so it could vary town to town. Jay

[East of the River]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

It's bad only if you get on I-84 at the Park St exit and join the hopeless masses headed into downtown. There are so many other ways to get to I-84 from WH (e.g. Sisson Av entrance, Homestead or Asylum to Cogswell/Broad) that this note of caution is very misleading in my view. I do this all the time and never spend more than a few seconds on the worst stretch of I-84.

I don't know I have tried every cut thru around 84 they all tend to clog up (timed they seems to be within 2-3 minutes of each other). Now he's going in the opposite direction from me (I go East to West in the morning) so it may be better then I think.

[East of the River]

I agree with Glastonbury or Manchester. Both have decent restaurants and bars (check out Main Pub and Coreys Catsup and Mustard in Manchester). If you don't want to drive much Manchester has pretty much every store there is. The mill apartments are cool and in an older neighborhood. The apartments on New State road area make for easy commuting.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by Robert137

I'll let the Hartford-area experts tell you about that, but I want to point out that utilities are generally not included in rents unless specified. And heating will probably cost more than you are accustomed to. So it would be wise to clarify this (and get an estimate of utility cost) before you sign on the dotted line.

And many welcomes to Connecticut and good luck!

Heating will be vastly more-not just due to temps, but due to cost/kw hour being on opposite sides of the spectrum.


Good luck; I am sure you will find something you like.