[Leilani Vasquez]

It's confirmed...we're heading over there after we both get out of work.

I'll post tomorrow and let you know how i liked it.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

I've visited Middletown several times duing the day for client visits. I was surprised by the "niceness and cleanliness" of downtown. It does look very clean and lively--with a lot of new construction and restaurants, shops, some bars, and boutiques. Stay to the middle part of downtown or south. If venturing north, it turns really sketchy, really fast though.

The north end of Middletown is hardly a "bad" area. Yeah it may be a tiny bit sketchy but a lot of things are happening in there to improve the area. There is some new stores and restaurants and some nice apartments going in. The reopened O'Roukes Diner is a must see. I will say there is more going on to the south for your date night but do not be scared to check out Main Street north of Washington (Route 66) either. Jay

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by JayCT

The north end of Middletown is hardly a "bad" area. Yeah it may be a tiny bit sketchy but a lot of things are happening in there to improve the area. There is some new stores and restaurants and some nice apartments going in. The reopened O'Roukes Diner is a must see. I will say there is more going on to the south for your date night but do not be scared to check out Main Street north of Washington (Route 66) either. Jay

Well, I'm just speaking from the experience I had. I couldn't find a place to park, so I drove through that area and did find a spot. There were many people just hanging out in front of buildings, on the steps, and all looked at me when I parked. I got out and started walking (was dressed decent--business casual), and these "thugs" started saying what's up boy, what's your story...started yelling, and 2 teenagers flew past me on their bikes and yelled something, cussing at me. Then I turned the corner and there were these drunk, rough looking females looking me up and down and it made me super uncomfortable.
When I came back to my car, I walked around (way out of the way) to avoid these weird sketchy people....nothing happened to my car, or me for that matter on the way back. But I was very worried it would.
Trust me, it's very sketchy in that area.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

Well, I'm just speaking from the experience I had. I couldn't find a place to park, so I drove through that area and did find a spot. There were many people just hanging out in front of buildings, on the steps, and all looked at me when I parked. I got out and started walking (was dressed decent--business casual), and these "thugs" started saying what's up boy, what's your story...started yelling, and 2 teenagers flew past me on their bikes and yelled something, cussing at me. Then I turned the corner and there were these drunk, rough looking females looking me up and down and it made me super uncomfortable.
When I came back to my car, I walked around (way out of the way) to avoid these weird sketchy people....nothing happened to my car, or me for that matter on the way back. But I was very worried it would.
Trust me, it's very sketchy in that area.

Wow...I'm sorry you had that experience. I really am. In fact it angers me.

It's a sad reality in many of our cities...even milktoast places like Middletown for crying out loud. I've been in that position myself and know how much it sucks. Last time it happened I Had a bunch "start up" when I was walking down the street in the South end of Hartford with my wife...a modest but pretty blond haired blue eyed Irish girl built "well". (Think "Celtic Woman"). I thought it was going to get ugly and I tried to avoid trouble...I always do. BUT it started to escalate. "Yo baby what choo doin wit dat - I'll show you what's up" "Hey punk *ss what you got?" Etc

A quick flip off my shoulders and back on of my jacket like I was ah, just "adjusting" my coat reveiled some "trouble" (hint hint) and the next thing I heard was them now talking to each other "ohh, snap...you don't want none of that dog - hahaha" "dat *****h aint messing rouuund yo" etc...and it was over.

I was very uncomfortable thinking I'm going to have to fend off several thugs with more concern for my wife than anything else. The thought of having to present arms is NOT something I wish to do and only a last resort. Growing up in Waterbury has given me street smarts but still. It's just bullsh*t an average person in CT shouldn't have to deal with.

A sign of the times in CT I guess.

[wanderintonc]

Downtown Middletown has a bunch of restaurants and bars, and a movie theater too. It's a nice place for a night out. I would not park too far north (actually, I would, but I live in Middletown so I'm used to it) but there is lots of parking from the corner of Washington and Main, going south.

What a change from when I was a kid and Main Street was vacant, full of bums and disgusting! Changed for the better.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by JViello

Wow...I'm sorry you had that experience. I really am. In fact it angers me.

It's a sad reality in many of our cities...even milktoast places like Middletown for crying out loud. I've been in that position myself and know how much it sucks. Last time it happened I Had a bunch "start up" when I was walking down the street in the South end of Hartford with my wife...a modest but pretty blond haired blue eyed Irish girl built "well". (Think "Celtic Woman"). I thought it was going to get ugly and I tried to avoid trouble...I always do. BUT it started to escalate. "Yo baby what choo doin wit dat - I'll show you what's up" "Hey punk *ss what you got?" Etc

A quick flip off my shoulders and back on of my jacket like I was ah, just "adjusting" my coat reveiled some "trouble" (hint hint) and the next thing I heard was them now talking to each other "ohh, snap...you don't want none of that dog - hahaha" "dat *****h aint messing rouuund yo" etc...and it was over.

I was very uncomfortable thinking I'm going to have to fend off several thugs with more concern for my wife than anything else. The thought of having to present arms is NOT something I wish to do and only a last resort. Growing up in Waterbury has given me street smarts but still. It's just bullsh*t an average person in CT shouldn't have to deal with.

A sign of the times in CT I guess.

Thanks--yeah, such lewd conduct on streets can eventually allow an area to escalate to a much larger problem--such as rape, assault, robbery, and murder, etc. The people hanging around with nothing to do in poor areas, coupled with little-to-no neighborhood people watching the streets, and an area can descend quickly into a bad crime-ridden place.
It's really interesting. I've lived in Brooklyn for 5 1/2 years and sold real estate in Bed-Stuy/Bushwick. I've never felt as uncomfortable there, as I did in this "small" CT city, Middletown at that moment. Middletown's got some work to do to police those streets.