[aquafit2]

I just got back from spending 3 days in the Hartford area. My husband is considering a new job there. After spending three days there I would really like people who live there to tell me the down side to living there. It just seems so perfect! We loved it! Especially Simsbury and Avon. We are coming from Tampa and so I know the taxes are higher and the winters are a lot colder (we are both from Utah so we know about snow) as well as the housing is more expensive. I want to know the little things in your every day lives that you wish were different or better or just bug you.

THANKS!!

[uconn99]

The bad is Hartford, specifically the city not the metro area has a BAD image by locals and outsiders. Things are not as bad as some think. There is nuch need for improvement but it isn't a "war zone" like some make it out to be.

You really can't go wrong in the Hartford area. Schools are great in the metro region, houses are affordable, less than 2 hours from Boston and NYC for the most part and close to Vermont skiing and Cape Cod.

The biggest downside is taxes IMO.

[AmyBergquist]

I lived in Vermont, western Massachusetts, Boston, and Charlottesville VA before moving to Hartford. I've lived in the city of Hartford for the last 4 years.

Taxes have been high everywhere I've lived (except maybe western MA), so that hasn't been much of a shock.

I guess I would say lack of entertainment options and a large, walkable shopping area are the biggest things I miss from Boston and Charlottesville. I liked being able to hop on the T and be in Boston within 10 minutes and then be able to walk around in the city for the day. That isn't really available in this area. You pretty much have to drive everywhere.

And, while I wasn't much of a fan that went to ball games, there is something to be said about living in a sports town/city. It just gives it a more lively feel.

[skytrekker]

Taxes are high- for real estate. The state income tax of 4.5% is average, and the sales tax of 6% is also about average. Auto's are taxed in each town- which can be a problem for many newcomers.

Housing costs are surprisingly affordable for the Boston to Washington corridor & and the high quality of life.

I would have to partially disagree with the statement that 'entertainment is lacking'. Greater Hartford ranks 21st in the USA & Canada for the visual and performing arts;

Venues include;
The Hartford Symphony; Hartford Stage Company, The Connecticut Opera Association; Goodspeed Opera in East Haddam, The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, Theater works, Hartford Children's theater, The Connecticut Historical Society, Artworks Gallery, Charter Oak Art Center, New Britain Museum of American Art, The Wadsworth (the last 2 among the finest Public art museums in the nation) There is much entertainment- of a more cultured level.

Hartford may lack entertainment like theme Parks or a major league sports team.

While Hartford proper has some not so nice areas- the downtown is experiencing a nice renaissance. The new Architecturally stunning Science Center should be an iconic crowd pleaser when it opens later this year.

The other downside can be climate- although not considered extreme- its a moderate 4 season mid latitude continental climate; winters for those coming from milder climes may find December-March a problem.

[Geotennis777]

The bedroom communities of Hartford-Avon, Simsbury, Farmington, Canton, West Hartford are extremely expensive to live in (average home price is around $800,000). They are arguably superficial towns because they are so wealthy. However, they are beautiful!

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by Geotennis777

The bedroom communities of Hartford-Avon, Simsbury, Farmington, Canton, West Hartford are extremely expensive to live in (average home price is around $800,000). They are arguably superficial towns because they are so wealthy. However, they are beautiful!

I think your estimation of median home prices in the towns mentioned above are far too high.

The median home price in West Hartford for example is around 325-350K--
Avon for example, which is considered the most upscale of these towns;
Average sale price of new home: $700,000; average price of resale: $400,000; median home price: $425,000

The towns are upper middle class for sure- but are not wealthy like A Greenwich or Westport.

[JayCT]

The median home price in Avon is $471,000 while in simsbury it is $345,000. this is not anywhere near the $800,000 Geotennis777 is quoting. The Hartford area is great. It really is a hidden gem. It is wonderful area to raise a family. The only problems I know of is that Avon and Simsbury are somewhat isolated from the rest of the metropolitain area by the mountains (actually large hills) to the west of Hartford. This isolation is good in that the problems of other towns stay out of these communities. This also means that you have to travel on roads that are not well suited to the traffic they must handle. Route 44 is the main throughfare into the valley from Hartford and there have been several accidents on this road that have been pretty bad. My wife refused to live in the valley because of an accident that she was in years ago on Route 44.

Another issue we seem to hear about is that people in Connecticut tend to be percived as unfriendly. This is not true though. People in Connecticut are more reserved and therefore are not as outgoing and do not make friends easily. If you move here you must make the effort to meet people and find common interests. Newcomers in these towns are common so it should not be a real issue. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

I think your estimation of median home prices in the towns mentioned above are far too high.

The median home price in West Hartford for example is around 325-350K--
Avon for example, which is considered the most upscale of these towns;
Average sale price of new home: $700,000; average price of resale: $400,000; median home price: $425,000

The towns are upper middle class for sure- but are not wealthy like A Greenwich or Westport.

I agree. While the towns are upscale, they are not as expensive as some of the Boston suburbs or towns like Ridgefield and Redding. $800k in the Hartford area can get you a good amount of square footage.

[Geotennis777]

Originally Posted by JayCT

The median home price in Avon is $471,000 while in simsbury it is $345,000. this is not anywhere near the $800,000 Geotennis777 is quoting.

I'm not speaking of the average home price for these towns, I'm speaking strictly for new housing developments. Good luck buying a NEW house in Avon for just under $475,000!

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by Geotennis777

I'm not speaking of the average home price for these towns, I'm speaking strictly for new housing developments. Good luck buying a NEW house in Avon for just under $475,000!

I think Jay and I made it clear that the median price was around 450K- this means that half the homes cost more, and half the homes less. The cost of a new home is going to be higher-around 700K.