[VeloKev]

My wife and I are considering a move to CT-maybe around Sherman/New Fairfield. Were in Wilmington, NC right now, transplanted from South FL, and the cost of living/housing hasn't kept pace with the salaries. This recession is hitting the NC region rather hard with some notable exceptions (See Charlotte, for example). I'm a CVICU RN and I work at Duke half the week, and I'm home the rest of the time. I was wondering what the hospital is like in Danbury and if the commute (train?) is worth it to get to Yale/New Haven. It appears the wages are good in CT by and large, so that would help. I'm an open-heart guy and want to keep doing that.

Also-I'm a surfer and want to know where to go to get in the water pretty regularly. Are R.I. and Jersey my only alternatives? Yikes!

Thanks, Connecticut!!

[skytrekker]

The fun stuff first

Most of Connecticut's shore line lies on sheltered Long Island sound- making waves that are 'surfable' not all that common-although extreme eastern CT near the Rhode Island border will see more of ocean waves for surfing.

I would choose New Haven Yale- and the other hospitals in the New Haven area over the Danbury Hospital- all are fine-but the New Haven area in my opinion offers more in the way of culture and recreational opportunity.

The entire nation is seeing an economic slowdown- CT is affected as well- job growth here is confined to health care, education and social services and some upper end manufacturing.

Housing prices compared to that area of NC with greater Hartford are actually about the same! Compared to New Haven about 15-20% higher. Rents will be slightly higher here as well- but the pay scale will also be higher here. Danbury, population over 60K, and smaller New England towns New Fairfield & Sherman near the NY border will see higher real estate costs then Hartford or New Haven.

[wanderintonc]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Housing prices compared to that area of NC with greater Hartford are actually about the same! .

Well, the OP did not mention wanting to live in the city of Hartford...Wilmington is not comparable to Hartford generally, they are apples to oranges.

OP, you really need to research housing costs in the area you want to live in. It's not an inexpensive area. I don't think there is any surfing in CT, at least I've never known anyone to surf here. I think there is some in RI. Of course, the beach season here is shorter than it is in NC.

With an aging population here, you should find no shortage of open-heart work.

[skytrekker]

The average and median prices of Wilmington-area homes sold in February fell from year-earlier levels, according to data from the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors.

The average price last month dropped 7 percent, to $245,687, compared with $264,268 in February 2007. The median price declined 5.3 percent, to $185,500 from $196,000, according to the Realtors' data.

The price differential is not all that dramatic. so comparing the two places as apples and oranges may not be applicable.

[wanderintonc]

I meant, as cities-location, crime, housing stock-not at all similar.

[skytrekker]

as a Whole greater Hartford has a lower crime rate- and Hartford is inland by a mere 40 miles----Insurance costs for a home will be higher in Wilmington, since it is considered highly hurricane prone.

[wanderintonc]

OP, be aware that there is a difference between 'Greater Hartford' and Hartford, itself, in comparison to Wilmington-some of the statistics being bandied about here refer to one or the other, specifically.

[cool_mommy]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

as a Whole greater Hartford has a lower crime rate- and Hartford is inland by a mere 40 miles----Insurance costs for a home will be higher in Wilmington, since it is considered highly hurricane prone.

FBI Uniform Crime Reports; By State, By City 2006
Hartford stats first, followed by Wilmington, NC

Violent Crimes - 1,590 and 857
Murder/Manslaughter - 24 and 7
Rape - 47 and 62
Robbery - 758 and 409
Aggravated Assault - 761 and 379
Property Crime - 8824 and 6207
Burglary - 1158 and 1694
Larceny - 5957 and 3865
Auto Theft - 1709 and 648
Arson - 87 and 22

Judging from these statistics I would have to say that as a whole Wilmington has a lower crime rate, pretty much by half.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by cool_mommy

FBI Uniform Crime Reports; By State, By City 2006
Hartford stats first, followed by Wilmington, NC

Violent Crimes - 1,590 and 857
Murder/Manslaughter - 24 and 7
Rape - 47 and 62
Robbery - 758 and 409
Aggravated Assault - 761 and 379
Property Crime - 8824 and 6207
Burglary - 1158 and 1694
Larceny - 5957 and 3865
Auto Theft - 1709 and 648
Arson - 87 and 22

Judging from these statistics I would have to say that as a whole Wilmington has a lower crime rate, pretty much by half.

CT is rated the 11th most safest state- North Carolina is rated far lower at 35th.


See Nevada Ranked Most Dangerous State - News Story - WVIT | Hartford

also see City Crime Rankings by Population Group

http://www.cqpress.com/docs/Metro%20...Safest_14E.pdf

Also cool mommy- those stats are for the city alone- not the entire metro region. Remember lets compare the whole of the Hartford area- and your stats compare the city proper alone-- of both places.

Lets make fair comparisons- Hartford alone will have a higher crime rate- Hartford has 129K population out of a metro area of 1.2 million.

[wanderintonc]

Well again, Skytrekker-I stand by my apples to oranges comparsion-based on statistics that you, yourself, posted.