[AKF]

Out of these 3 which ones would be the best to live in for a family? we have a toddler and a teen. we love history, arts, culture. we are looking for an area comparable to waterbury...but not a "dump" like waterbury? also important are crime rate, diversity, education, arts/history/recreation.

thanks

[Rich Lee]

It probably wouldn't be Hartford.

[skytrekker]

Actually the greater Hartford metro area has the most to offer, by far- compared to Torrington and New London.

Greater Hartford ranks in the top 20 metro areas in the nation for;culture and arts.

The greater Hartford area and its suburbs has an incredible amount of diversity- and is far more sophisticated then Waterbury.

Hartford has a great opera- and the Bushnell is nationally renowned for performing artists. The Wadsworth Atheneum is the oldest and one of the best in the nation for art. The New Britain Museum of Art in that city is also one of the finest in the nation.

The greater Hartford area has a plethora of ethnic eateries- to profuse to name- plus you have quick access to the towns and cities of New Haven and Middletown which offer additional arts and amenities.

Many dismiss the Hartford area- however it ranks higher in the arts then such metro areas as Houston, St. Louis. Miami, Seattle, Phoenix- and others.

Metro Hartford has;

The Connecticut Chamber Symphony
Connecticut Concert Opera
Connecticut Opera Association
Goodspeed Opera House
Hartford Ballet
Hartford Stage Company
Hartford Symphony
Harrt Symphony
New Britain Symphony Society

Davidson Art Center Wesleyan Univ (Middletown)
Hill-Stead Museum
Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery

And the two Museums listed above

The greater Hartford area region has a long and storied dedication to the arts and sciences. Negative thinkers think the grass is better elswhere- truth is that the arts community here is strong and vibrant.

[AKF]

what parts of the greater hartford area would you recommend?

thanks

[skytrekker]

Towns east of the river,; South Windsor, Vernon, Bolton, Glastonbury, Stafford, Somers, Willington, Tolland, Coventry, Marlborough, and Ellington

West of the river; West Hartford, Avon, Simsbury, Wethersfield, Newington, Farmington, Canton, Rocky Hill and Cromwell- to name a few.....

The Hartford area for crime rates slightly below the national average for crime- meaning it is better then the median.
For recreation; It ranks in the upper quarter nationally

Education- ranks in the upper 20% nationally
Health care- ranks in the upper 38% nationally

Hope this helps.

[AKF]

thanks a bunch!
do you know what the cost of living/property value is for any of these areas?
what would it cost to get a 3 bedroom house for instance?

Thanks

[AK123]

Many dismiss the Hartford area- however it ranks higher in the arts then such metro areas as Houston.......

Hmmm, Houston has the largest theatre district in the country after NYC, and only three other cities have more fine arts museum space, so I'm kind of doubting that.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by AKF

thanks a bunch!
do you know what the cost of living/property value is for any of these areas?
what would it cost to get a 3 bedroom house for instance?

Thanks

Elaborate...square footage, style, and to some extent, age. In Connecticut towns, calculations based on cost per square foot are very common.

[AKF]

How is the West Hartford area? Again, in terms of arts, culture, history, education, recreation and crime.

Rich,

How much would I need to purchase a 1200 sq. ft 3 bedroom, 2 ba house there?

thanks everyone!

[JViello]

Originally Posted by AKF

How is the West Hartford area? Again, in terms of arts, culture, history, education, recreation and crime.

Rich,

How much would I need to purchase a 1200 sq. ft 3 bedroom, 2 ba house there?

thanks everyone!

To answer the first question:

Hartford, hands down.

Second, keep in mind CT has very - how shall I say, ah..."distinct" areas. In other words, the inner city is the inner city, Avon is Avon (Avon ='s Big...no, I mean BIG money - like second in the nation) and it can change within a few blocks.

West Hartford is sandwiched between the "city" and the "money" so it's real estate prices and desireability can vary wildly. On the Hartford side you can get a 1200sf house for $225K all day long. On the Farmington/Avon line? Fuggettaboutit.

I have a 1700sf house in Manchester on the Eastside (Edge of the country) that was 4 bedrooms which I converted into 3 with a formal dining room, garage, large walkout basement, fireplace, 2 acres, dead end - great place for the average working guy. I purchased for 180K 5 years ago and it's worth about $260K now.

Hope that helps.