[mkh1480]

Interviewing for a job in hartford CT. Couple of questions: The job salary is a range between $50k and $60K...good? too low? On the edge of survivability?
Housing: I will most likely have to purchase a home as my family consists of one dog and four cats and they go where I go. Looking at the real estate sites on the web, looks like there is affordable housing in the Hartford area. The job will be in downtown Hartford. I don't mind a commute, enjoy living in a more rural area, and I'm a middle aged single woman so safety is my number one concern. I'd be looking for a smallish house with hopefully a garage (1-3 bedrooms) a small yard would be nice, and resale potential is a key element. (I may only be there a year or so before moving on to another job (pending approval of a grant) Any area recommendations?
Renting: How are landlords there toward the whole pet thing in the area?
(BTW: I have lived in Connecticut previously so I all ready know what I'm in for...I lived in Oregon so high property taxes are nothing new, I'm not looking for "excitement" I'm looking for a job in my field that pays well, and this is the best salary offered so far (non profit...pay sucks, job is cool). In terms of places to live I tend toward the rural-ish or smaller city. Right now I'm in Boise, ID and can't wait to leave. I lived all over including the Bay area so just looking to see options).

[WILWRadio]

You are going to have a very difficult time finding a house in Connecticut on that salary or at least one in a half way decent neighborhood. A large down payment will help. You may have to settle for a condo. Even rural eastern CT, which generally offers the most affordable housing in the state you will be hard pressed to find a truly good home for less than $150,000. For around 100k or a bit less you will find something that is either very small or needs some work. Some of the real estate agents that frequent this site can probably provide more detailed information than I can.

[Rich Lee]

With regards to pets, landlords here are no different from other areas. Their first concern is that "Fluffy" might discharge daily hairballs and "Spike" likes to chew molding and carpeting. Don't get me wrong. I have 5 dogs, a pheasant, a parakeet, and several dozen ducks.

What am I saying? Some will not allow pets under any circumstances. Others might provided you come up with an extra month's security deposit.

As for your purchase options, I agree with WILWRadio. That's tough under $150,000. The MLS shows a few possibilities in Bristol, Plainville, Manchester, and Meriden.

[AmyBergquist]

If there is the possibility that you are only going to be here a year, I would strongly recommend renting instead of buying. It would be difficult to sell for any type of profit if you're in a house for less than 3 years. The first year will also let you explore the area and figure out which towns might best meet your needs.

Regarding pets, I've seen landlords with varying policies. Some are okay with it, some are okay with it depending on the breed of dog, some are okay with it if it's not a cat, etc. Each person will have different requirements. And as Rich said, there will most likely be an extra security deposit involved.

[skytrekker]

Median home price in the greater Hartford area is 242K- you may be able to find a nice 2 bedroom townhouse in a nice town, especially east of the CT river and Hartford- for 150K- but Condo communities usually have pet restrictions as to number and size.

Renting with that many animals will pose a problem-unless you are able to rent a house in a more rural area- especially east of Hartford. Look into towns like Willington, Tolland, Ashford, Coventry, Bolton.

If you are living in Oregon-the Willamette Valley, West of the Cascades- real estate will be about the same as Central CT- though Portland will be higher. The SF bay area is much much higher then here. On your salary of '$50-60K' a year- you might need to put down a larger down payment to afford a home at around 225K. Median home price in mostly rural Tolland county- wast of Hartford is under 225K.

Boise is a pleasant area-but frankly I find it too conservative for my taste- housing here in central CT will be slightly higher then Boise.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Look into towns like Willington, Tolland, Ashford, Coventry, Bolton.

Here's the inventory (under $150,000) for the aforementioned towns:
1 - Willington (mobile home with huge pond)
0 - Tolland
3 - Ashford
6 - Coventry
1 - Bolton

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by Rich Lee

Here's the inventory (under $150,000) for the aforementioned towns:
1 - Willington (mobile home with huge pond)
0 - Tolland
3 - Ashford
6 - Coventry
1 - Bolton

Rich I said Condo-not single family home
There are 2 bedroom townhouses & condos in eastern CT for 150K and under. In Vernon alone there are 10 townhouse condos with 2 bedrooms under 150K.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Rich I said Condo-not single family home
There are 2 bedroom townhouses & condos in eastern CT for 150K and under. In Vernon alone there are 10 townhouse condos with 2 bedrooms under 150K.

You are correct! I skimmed right over that.

[mkh1480]

Well thanks everyone. In doing salary/living cost studies, the cost of living in Hartford is about 15% higher than Boise. Our housing market here, unlike most of the rest of the country is still hanging on to some pretty good values and prices. The house I have now, I bought 7 years ago for $104K, it appraised two years ago for $155K and this past winter for $185K. And, it's a fixer upper. Housing in most of Oregon is much like the Bay area....out of sight. How I regret selling my 100 year old farm house in oregon city.
I bring up my pets as i always hope someone will see the post and be an animal person and know of someplace I can go. Leaving my fur kids is never an option. Never. (My ultimate goal is to be a Humane Investigator and yes I'm a vegetarian). Living out in the sticks is fine with me, I live in a fixer upper now so that's no big deal. Living in town is fine. Living in a lousy neighborhood, not so fine....oddly, I fear more for my animals facing abuse than for myself facing any harm.
Thanks for the info, if it comes to pass that I get the job I'm sure I'll post again for more direction. You know, I did some real estate searches and came across quite a few listings under 200K that didn't look all that bad...most were out of the Hartford area.

[andthentherewere3]

I think your best bet would be to check the northeast corner of Connecticut. That's a rural area, and homes are more affordable there. If you could stretch your budget to 200k it would help. Your commute would be a little longer, but it sounds more like what you are looking for. Good luck!