[njnomore]

In my travels this past Monday from Hartford to Middletown and then traveled on 95 south through Fairfield county I found this to be true - The posted speed limits don't mean all that much to most drivers in this state. I was driving at or just a bit above the speed limits either on 91, 9, or 95 as well as the side routes which I saw much in the way of Horse farms.

The Central part of CT from Hartford through Middletown looks so rundown being it seems not many keepup with their homes appearance - the opposite is true of Fairfield county of course on the most part. Sure, the obvious is that Fairfield county is wealthy - can someone tell me why the "rundown" in the Central part of the state exists? Or is it that because I come from Northern NJ that my eyes aren't used to the "scenery" I saw there?

Nice people on the most part and some jobs for me albeit I can't secure any of these through the one agency (a well known large one with many branches in the US) that I visited in Hartford. They politely told me that the employers in CT would not take kindly a NJ resident for their employ even though I told them that a relocation would come only weeks after securing work.

I'm wondering if it's worth my time pursuing this anymore and the question I'm trying to answer for myself is will I truly be happy living in CT as a single mid 40's man coming from the Southeast Bergen County region in Northern NJ.

Any feedback or otherwise would be very welcome

[Rich Lee]

Hi njnomore,

I'm not sure how much of Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, or Cromwell you could've seen from I-91, but these are generally nice towns. Some of the points of interest are often located one street off from the interstate.

I've driven along I-95 through southeastern Fairfield County and thought that these areas were run down even though I am familiar with the county as a whole and can state that what I saw wasn't indicative of the towns.

I think I know where you visited in Hartford and wouldn't let their opinion bother me in the least. If an applicant can't start yesterday or didn't score perfectly on their "tests," they're less than accommodating.

Don't write off Connecticut just yet.

Our "203" is similar to New Jersey's "201" as our "860" is similar to "609". Think of how small an area that 201 covers but represents half the population. Same here with 203.

You have mountains in the north as do we. You have a tremendous coastline as do we. Your northern part of the state is an extension of NYC as is our southwestern part of the state. We both have among the highest population densities in the country.

For what are you specifically looking?

[Roisin]

Hi, I grew up in CT, and my brother used to live in LYndhurst NJ, so I'm kind of familiar with Northern NJ. I think you can be happy in CT, have you looked at Milford? What do you enjoy? Do you like the city or something in the country? what kind of work do you do? i am currently relocating to CT and trying to find a job. It's so difficult because I feel like no one calls me because I'm not actually there yet

[Dragondog]

The Hartford area outside of the city has some very attractive and upscale suburban areas to live- In fact they are some of the most attractive in the country. Towns like West Hartford, Glastonbury, South Windsor, Avon, Farmington are really very very nice. I think judging the region from traveling by auto on I 91 seems rather unrealistic and short sided IMHO.

Not to put northern NJ down- but the Hartford area is a much more pleasant and cleaner place to live by far.

[mels]

Originally Posted by CelticLion

The Hartford area outside of the city has some very attractive and upscale suburban areas to live- In fact they are some of the most attractive in the country. Towns like West Hartford, Glastonbury, South Windsor, Avon, Farmington are really very very nice. I think judging the region from traveling by auto on I 91 seems rather unrealistic and short sided IMHO.

I agree on all counts. New Jersey isn't exactly pretty if you judge it by what you see right next to the Jersey Turnpike, you know? There are some rundown towns and areas, but every state has them. It shouldn't really be shocking.

If all you are looking for is Northern New Jersey without the high taxes, perhaps you should stay in and around Fairfield County as I find them to be quite similar in many ways.

[metaljaybird]

I'm from North Central CT. I have lived in Eastern Morris County, NJ (much like Fairfield County) for the past 5 years. I love the town of West Hartford, it reminds me of Westfield, NJ, with its downtown, parks, etc.

NJ is like CT on speed. Culturally similar, with maybe a minor percentage less of population density.

[proeye]

Originally Posted by njnomore

The Central part of CT from Hartford through Middletown looks so rundown being it seems not many keepup with their homes appearance - the opposite is true of Fairfield county of course on the most part. Sure, the obvious is that Fairfield county is wealthy - can someone tell me why the "rundown" in the Central part of the state exists? Or is it that because I come from Northern NJ that my eyes aren't used to the "scenery" I saw there?

Nice people on the most part and some jobs for me albeit I can't secure any of these through the one agency (a well known large one with many branches in the US) that I visited in Hartford. They politely told me that the employers in CT would not take kindly a NJ resident for their employ even though I told them that a relocation would come only weeks after securing work.

I'm wondering if it's worth my time pursuing this anymore and the question I'm trying to answer for myself is will I truly be happy living in CT as a single mid 40's man coming from the Southeast Bergen County region in Northern NJ.

Any feedback or otherwise would be very welcome

I didn't think Newark was particularly "pretty" either. I took a wrong turn and ended up on the streets in a "bad" neighborhood. Took me awhile to get back on the freeway... Sheesh...

Everything is relative njnomore... You just happened to be passing through an area that is exactly that: run down. Besides, the CT River valley is the oldest part of Connecticut. Compare it to the areas around the lower Hudson River valley. Look familiar?

Take a drive through anywhere outside of the central cities and I think you'll find CT to be a very nice state. CT is not much different that NJ really. Both are beautiful depending on where you are. It's no wonder NJ is known as the garden state. Everyone has it wrong. From the Ellis Island Ferry of course NJ looks industrial, commercial, and dirty, because of all the shipyards and companies spewing out sewage and smoke, and it's the image that most people have of the state, but it's not the true NJ! The same is true of CT. Take a drive through the Litchfield hills, along the CT River below Middletown, along the eastern most coast, through the suburb towns of Avon or Glastonbury, or up I-395 in the east... CT is a beautiful state and has a lot to offer...

Don't believe what that agency rep told you. That's ridiculous. The only reason an employer may not want you has nothing to do with NJ. They may not see you as a stable employee because you don't have a residence in the state. But that can be overcome...

What kind of work are you looking for?

[ASCHAEDLER]

First, I am so sorry that some idiot made that statement to you.So sad that our bussiness first meeting is with the uncaring, underpaid phone answering receptionist? Hopefully you can see that is not how people in CT behave, most of us anyways.
Although the time of year and lack of leaves on our trees to hide our stuff, more is to be seen that we wish for CT and NJ and everywhere. Many nice areas to live and visit within CT. I live in the hills of Litchfield, exit 15 off I-84.
What kind of work are you looking for?

Originally Posted by njnomore

In my travels this past Monday from Hartford to Middletown and then traveled on 95 south through Fairfield county I found this to be true - The posted speed limits don't mean all that much to most drivers in this state. I was driving at or just a bit above the speed limits either on 91, 9, or 95 as well as the side routes which I saw much in the way of Horse farms.

The Central part of CT from Hartford through Middletown looks so rundown being it seems not many keepup with their homes appearance - the opposite is true of Fairfield county of course on the most part. Sure, the obvious is that Fairfield county is wealthy - can someone tell me why the "rundown" in the Central part of the state exists? Or is it that because I come from Northern NJ that my eyes aren't used to the "scenery" I saw there?

Nice people on the most part and some jobs for me albeit I can't secure any of these through the one agency (a well known large one with many branches in the US) that I visited in Hartford. They politely told me that the employers in CT would not take kindly a NJ resident for their employ even though I told them that a relocation would come only weeks after securing work.

I'm wondering if it's worth my time pursuing this anymore and the question I'm trying to answer for myself is will I truly be happy living in CT as a single mid 40's man coming from the Southeast Bergen County region in Northern NJ.

Any feedback or otherwise would be very welcome

[mcwsage]

Originally Posted by CelticLion

The Hartford area outside of the city has some very attractive and upscale suburban areas to live- In fact they are some of the most attractive in the country. Towns like West Hartford, Glastonbury, South Windsor, Avon, Farmington are really very very nice. I think judging the region from traveling by auto on I 91 seems rather unrealistic and short sided IMHO.

****Totally agree with this statement**** Traveling on that highway gave you south central CT - which is a shame because if you want to see more of CT's beauty besides places in Fairfield County, you have to go more central and north central for places like Glastonbury & The Valley. A lot of people like South Windsor and of course you can't forget West Hartford. If you are willing to travel a little further west, the towns in the Litchfield hills are pure beauty (there is a place in Litchfield that is a daffodil farm where the whole hillside is covered in daffodils when they bloom - gorgeous!.....).

Michele P.

[Boca to Santa Barbara]

I lived in CT for 10 years (Orange). Orange is a small, beautiful colonial town 75 miles from NYC. My recommendation if you have to live in the Northeast.

To be honest I think the Northeast sucks (old, cold and set in it's ways, thanks Joni M). I love Manhattan (to visit) or Maine (during the summer) however everyone is always in a rush and stressed. Summer is too short and winter is too long. You also age quicker (weather sucks!)