[maestro]

What's the economy doing in Hartford? I am considering relocating there, but I would be leaving a fairly active job market and I want to make sure that that Hartford's jobs aren't all leaving town.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by maestro

What's the economy doing in Hartford? I am considering relocating there, but I would be leaving a fairly active job market and I want to make sure that that Hartford's jobs aren't all leaving town.

I'm not sure what your field you are in, but to answer the question in general, the job market in Hartford is strong. Like all cities there are mergers and aquisitions going both directions but no major changes in the face of the city as we know it.

Some are doomsday people who think the city has jobs and companies leaving like rats off the Titanic, but when you stick to the facts you see it's really just business as always. The unemployment rate is 3.9% - below the national average.

We are home to a large portion of Fortune 500 companies - much more than the size of the city would lead you to believe.

We have over 1 billion dollars in development currently taking place inside the downtown area with more on the horizon. The neighborhoods inside the city limits are also working to revitalize themselves.

The quality of life is excellent as well, and the Metro area as a whole is one of the strongest economies in the country.

[skytrekker]

Hartford in fact has a labor shortage. Health care, finance, education and skilled trades in manufacturing. Jobs here are not hard to find.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Hartford in fact has a labor shortage. Health care, finance, education and skilled trades in manufacturing. Jobs here are not hard to find.

Here's the corresponding story from The Hartford Courant,

http://www.courant.com/hc-moveout.ar...,7431794.story

[Lincolnian]

Connecticut has the highest percentage in the nation of college graduates 25+ residing in our state. The population has lagged the nation in growth but the job opportunities are here. Many jobs for professionals have gone unfilled due to a labor shortage.

Connecticut has a lot to offer nestled between New York City and Boston. In my opinion New England is unmatched in terms of its beauty and recreational opportunities.

[skytrekker]

That Hartford Courant article is written by individuals that have little understanding of either economics geography or demographics- and write more for sensationalism then getting ALL the facts.

Many of those 'leaving' Connecticut are over 60 and under 25-why? The Courant article conveniently fails to omit information that may provide the appropriate facts- there are retirees going south- but to where?- To Florida? Well costs of living in Florida are much higher now then in most of Connecticut- my next door neighbors returned last year from so called 'cheap' Florida- and said it was anything but cheap-they also spent a few years in North Carolina- and disliked it there.

Also young people tend to want in 'glamorous cities while young- and cities like Boston, New York, Washington are very appealing- but they are anything but cheap.

If going to Arizona- well its a hell hole- in the midst of a massive housing bust- as is Florida. And no matter how the REIC (real estate Industrial complex) and media 'spin' the housing downturn saying it will have 'no affect' on the overall economy- I say not so fast- the number of sub prime lenders going under is rising rapidly- one failed and laid off people in CT last week- and one good thing about our economy in CT-We have not been totally dependent on real estate for growth, like many of these other areas like AZ, CA, NC Florida etc- just my 2 cents worth.

I pay $165 a year for my homeowners insurance in CT-and just over two thousand in property taxes. In Florida from within 20 miles of the Ocean- and even inland my homeowners would be $3000-$9000+ in FL- sure my taxes would be $700 a year- these retirees many of them will find this out the hard way. Median price for a single family home in greater Hartford is $265K- greater Miami/Fort Lauderdale 350K- Naples Florida try over 400K- again Florida is cheaper right? and thats why they are heading south-right? Lower car insurance rates? No again- Florida has one of the highest crime rates and auto theft rates in the nation. Lower energy costs? No again- my neighbors told me their rates where much higher then in CT.

Also homeowners insurance is soaring in coastal areas of North Carolina and South Carolina-why? Global warming- and the threat of more powerful and frequent hurricanes in the region. Also in the best areas of North Carolina- which is seeing an influx of those from the northeast some facts that many 'experts in CT' do not see- housing prices are not substantially lower then the greater Hartford area- the traffic is far worse, there are 'hidden taxes' that many where not prepared for. And the 'cultural intangibles' - many fail to fit into 'southern culture' which can be hostile to northerners- also the economic growth in many of these areas is fueled by housing and in migration-what happens when that stops? From what I was reading- the two states with the highest out migration was California and Florida- I wonder why?


It must be admitted that south eastern Connecticut is more vulnerable to hurricanes- and property insurance has gone up in fact all along the CT shoreline- however the rise has not been as high as in the southeast and Florida.

Also on the issue of 'cost of living' here- It makes me laugh when certain politicians and the press cry and bemoan how expensive CT is.
I suggest they move to Florida- or perhaps California- or the Washington DC area -or northern New Jersey and Long Island- outside of Fairfield county- costs in CT are reasonable- considering its envied geographic location, culture, services and amenities it offers.

Many from California seem to be interested in CT- perhaps they are smarter then those 17000 who left and the writers at the Hartford Courant by not going to the deep south and Florida.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

That Hartford Courant article is written by individuals that have little understanding of either economics geography or demographics- and write more for sensationalism then getting ALL the facts.

Bravo! Well said Sky, I concurr on many points. After the tax increase (Something I'm not happy about but its' not going to make me lose my house either) there has been the usual doomsday articles and everyone you talk to says "I'm leaving" when they know damned well they are not going anywhere. It's like a little kid packing his suitcase and walking to the door because he couldn't eat his desert first. lol

Perhaps the "negative" "this state sucks" people leaving is not such a bad thing because they are being backfilled by people doing their research and seeing just how much the I91 corridor has to offer in terms of recreation, culture, career and lifestyle...I.E. people who are educated thinkers with a positive attitude.

We are not perfect but the "boom towns" in the South and Southwest are losing their appeal now that the home prices are catching up. I don't know anyone that moves down South for the "culture" or "Lack of traffic" etc...it always comes down to money. I used to live in Charlotte NC and Orland FL. I finally gave in and came home and realized what we have here and don't regret it one bit.

P.S. How are your home taxes so low! I'm paying about $5200 a year on a home worth about $260K! I can throw a rock and hit Vernon...maybe I can get the townlines redrawn a few feet over. lol

[stormweary]

my 2cents. median house prices for the Orlando area is $250,000 according to today's paper. My landlady wants to sell her houses due to rising costs of insurance and taxes.... the more "research" I do the more it seems that areas of Connecticut are comparable to areas in central Florida. I have a daughter living in Vernon which is why I am interested in Ct. I AM a little worried about the cold.......

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Lincolnian

Connecticut has the highest percentage in the nation of college graduates 25+ residing in our state. The population has lagged the nation in growth but the job opportunities are here. Many jobs for professionals have gone unfilled due to a labor shortage.

Connecticut has a lot to offer nestled between New York City and Boston. In my opinion New England is unmatched in terms of its beauty and recreational opportunities.

Absolutely. Friday night I was in beautiful DT Hartford here for a 4 star meal you would expect in NYC or Boston: http://www.spris.cc/ct_index.html

Yesterday literally 1.5 miles from my home I stopped by here to get a phenominal smoked turkey and pancetta deli sanwich on fresh baked old world rustic bread and couple bottles of water to have a "mountain top" lunch.

http://www.highlandparkmarket.com

Drove a few hundred feet from there to here:




Had my lunch overlooking the CT River valley which included DT Manchester and Hartford which you can't really see in the picture but the skyline was in full view to the naked eye.



Went home, showered relaxed and then later that night enjoyed a Guiness at a 200 year old pub with some great live entertainment.

Today, I'm contemplating a trip to the Wadsworth Atheneum.

Yea, life here can be very good if you get out and enjoy it...even during Winter.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by stormweary

my 2cents. median house prices for the Orlando area is $250,000 according to today's paper. My landlady wants to sell her houses due to rising costs of insurance and taxes.... the more "research" I do the more it seems that areas of Connecticut are comparable to areas in central Florida. I have a daughter living in Vernon which is why I am interested in Ct. I AM a little worried about the cold.......

The cold is not bad. You have to dress right and you won't have a problem.

Yesterday I was in a pair of flannel lined jeans (LL Bean is your friend. lol), a mock neck undershirt and a nice heavy wool sweater (a REAL sweater, not those Kenneth Cole fashion sweaters), a thick pair of socks and some comfortable walking mocks. I hiked 30 minutes to the top of case mountain, had lunch and back down with nothing more than a cold nose and some "chilly" hands. (No gloves).

I always have a Kerosene heater or a fire going and the house is toasty warm and the furnance hardly runs. If it's really cold, and you don't have a garage, start the car 5-10 minutes before you go and it will be toasty warm for you.

Moreover, when the sun is out and it's in the 30's (Like it is most days in the dead of winter) it's actually pretty comfortable. When the sun goes in, and/or it's grey it can get chilly quick. We do have "cold snaps" but those are days you just huddle up in the house with your favorite book, tv show or the internet etc and that's that. The "real" cold only lasts about two months.

The rest of the year is to die for in various ways. (Crisp fall air, warm summer nights, warm Spring sun etc) It' a great balance of seasons.

Even in Winter, how can you beat looking out your back window first thing in the morning and see this!