[cupid]

I am from NY & I'm considering moving to CT to be closer to my job near Meriden. I don't know CT very well and want to know about the good and bad areas. I have a vague recollection from years ago that New Haven was a real "drug haven". I want to stay away from the drug-ridden and trashy areas. Any input?

[Rich Lee]

Hi Cupid,

I am in Cheshire. The best towns for someone working in Meriden would be Meriden, North Haven, Wallingford, Middletown, Cheshire, Southington, or Wolcott. If you're into small, rural towns, add Durham and Middlefield.

Prices have risen over the past three years but have started to retreat in Cheshire. Meriden, the most populated of the list, is still experiencing slight price increases as it is moving into the price range previously held by Wallingford and Southington.

What are your requirements in a property (style, square footage, age of structure, amentities, etc.)?

[cupid]

Hoping to find something with some/all utilities included - 1-2 bedrooms, (I have a 1 bedroom w/850 sq feet now) cats allowed, (I have 2 - willing to make 1 time deposit for cats) if heat extra - something economical that won't render me bankrupt, washer/dryer if possible. The rent I could afford depends greatly on what's included. I could afford $900-950 if most utilities were included, probably less if I have to pay everything. I'm a little spoiled & want to live in a nice area. Do Connecticut residents have to pay income tax? A friend of mine insists not. That could make a big difference in my decision.

[shwee]

Up until the late '80s, I believe, the answer to your question about whether CT residents pay state income tax would have been no. There is a state income tax levied now, however.

[mels]

I don’t consider New Haven unsafe. I lived there for a while and was quite happy and felt safe. It is an urban area, so you need basic street smarts and it has problems that every urban area has. Generally, if you aren’t looking for trouble, you won’t find it. My favorite areas would be Westville, East Rock and Downtown. Annex is nice too, but all residential with more of a suburban feel.

Stay away from Fair Haven, the area around St. Raphaels Hospital (Orchard St), lower Dixwell Ave and Goffe Street as you get further away from SCSU, and the area of Rt. 10 (Boulevard) going towards I-95. The bad areas are pretty limited.

[gomet]

Of course Connecticut residents pay income tax. If you work in Ct and live in Ct you pay.

[njohnson]

There are some good areas in Meriden if you work in the city and can't afford the outerlying areas. On the East side closer to Mattabassett and Middletown there are some good quiet areas with a number of small parks around and access to most highways. Also down paddock ave the closer you get to Wallingford there are some nice neighborhoods and some new developments. The west side has less desireable areas but near the Cheshire line there are a number of newer developments near Brownstone ridge where the highest income residents typically reside.

Most of the cities around Meriden are much more pricey, namely Wallingford, North Haven, Southington, and Cheshire but most have less crime, better schools, less population, and higher income levels. With multiple highways into Meriden you have a wide array of options.

Meriden does have a fairly high tax rate with the mill near the mid 40s although they have just gone through a reassessment of the properties so I am expecting that number to change soon.

New Haven is a good city but for me too much of a commute every day, especially when you consider the traffic.

[asbestos]

Meriden has some crappy areas but is definitely a safe place. Meriden along with neighboring Middletown is also pretty cheap compared to most surrounding areas. The only cheaper areas around would be Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury. I would highly recommend NOT moving to those 3 cities due to their large drug trade and high crime. If I were you I would concentrate on finding a place in Meriden. The area around Hubbard Park is very nice.

[westguy22]

Originally Posted by cupid

I am from NY & I'm considering moving to CT to be closer to my job near Meriden. I don't know CT very well and want to know about the good and bad areas. I have a vague recollection from years ago that New Haven was a real "drug haven". I want to stay away from the drug-ridden and trashy areas. Any input?

Check out Woodbridge, Bethany, Orange, Oxford, Monroe, Huntington or Prospect. All nice towns (a little pricey, but less so than lower Fairfield). Friendly people, too.

[drumlin]

If you are going to work in Meriden, my vote would be for Wallingford. It's really quite a nice town, and SO convenient, with every type of shopping you would need. Cheshire is my ideal, but it's so pricey anymore. North Haven is also surprisingly pricey, and in my opinion the zoning is a little nutty. Hamden has some very nasty parts, as does Meriden. Middlefield is OK, but it's so small that you'd need to take a trip to get to Middletown or Meriden for anything anyway. If you can find a place to live in Middlefield, it is a pretty place.