[ScranBarre]

Hello Nutmeggers!

I am 21 and will be graduating in May 2009 with my Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. I hope to start working by next summer at a firm somewhere in New England because I'd eventually like to have the option to get married (I'm gay), and I don't foresee that privilege being granted here in Pennsylvania anytime in my lifetime (or at least not until all of Eastern PA is officially overrun with liberal NYC transplants).

Anyhow, here would be my perfect life at age 23:

I hope to be living in an urban environment that would permit me to walk, bike, or use mass transit to access both a downtown workplace and a campus with a graduate school of business where I could work towards either my MBA or Master's Degree in Accounting. I'm especially considering the Master of Science Degree in Accounting and Taxation (MSAT) at the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford. I know Hartford is New England's unofficial insurance capital, and I've been looking more and more favorably upon pursuing employment with Aetna. MetLife seems to be a great employer as well, but I'm writing them off since they have now relocated to the suburbs. I frown upon corporations that abandon central business districts struggling to reinvent themselves in favor of furthering sprawl.

Given that information, would there be any relatively safe urban neighborhoods in Hartford within reasonable walking/biking distance to both Aetna and the University of Hartford? I'm also an avid runner who would appreciate living near to a park and a gym, if at all possible. As far as housing preferences are concerned I'm probably going to be earning $50,000 or so to start as an accountant in Connecticut, judging by averages. I'd prefer to own my own small single-family detached dwelling (nothing fancy) or rowhouse. Ideally I'd love to buy a loft or condo downtown, but a $50,000 salary probably wouldn't cut it there.

I'm a fan of older architecture, sidewalks, working-class neighborhoods, and mixed-use areas where I could walk to worship at a church on a Sunday morning or walk to a restaurant in the evening. From all of my research I can see that Hartford's crime is rather widespread, but I'd be willing to settle for a neighborhood with relatively high property crime and even moderate violent crime as long as the incidence of random violent crime was very low. I'm sure some of the "rough" neighborhoods where homicides are commonplace are only "rough" for those who have a reason to be fearing getting shot. I can deal with having my car keyed or a front window smashed by punks. I can't deal with going for a run and getting shot as part of a gang initiation.

Hartford's West End looks to be exactly the type of neighborhood I crave, but would it be feasible to live there and walk/bike/mass transit to Aetna and the University of Hartford? What about nightlife in Hartford? What's the "scene" like for a 20-something gay professional? Here in Scranton it's non-existent because the conservatives like to sweep us under the rug.

Here are some images of my favorite urban neighborhoods here in the Scranton area of Pennsylvania. Are there any similar ones in Hartford---working-class, sidewalks, mixed-use, well-kept homes?











Also, any idea on an expected price range for a 2-bedroom, 1-bath home on a small lot in such a neighborhood? Thanks in advance for any help one could provide!

[bibit612]

I guess really the question is, how far are you willing and able to ride that bike? Are you planning to ride the bike in winter? From the looks of the first couple of homes you posted, they look like some of the homes on the West End but not too far in deep Asylum toward the West Hartford line. I have no idea what homes in the West End cost so some of the regular realtors can jump in here and advise you on that. There are several ways to get to Aetna and some streets are safer than others. Just don't plan to be on your bike after certain hours of the day. As a former employee of Aetna, I can tell you that sirens are a daily event in and around Farmington Avenue and Sigourney. Most of the crime in the area happen in the late hours of the night or early hours of the morning, as evidenced by yellow tape the next day. I don't know of a single Aetna employee being a victim of crime there however. I can only guess that the crime you hear about are perpetuated by the bad elements against themselves and not randomly targeting others. There was a time of successive car break ins in the streets off Farmington Avenue in front of the restaurants (Braza, for example) but that was due to people flagrantly leaving Christmas shopping packages in full view (that was an ex co-worker whose car got broken into). Lots and lots of restaurants around downtown. If you happen to find employment with United Healthcare or any employer along Constitution Plaza, you could walk to the various restaurants at lunch time or after work. City Steam was our regular favorite with Friday comedy clubs, a micro-brewery serving the famous Naughty Nurse (you should try that!) and a game of pool. Parking at noon is tough around the civic center (Trumbull) or near the Union Station where the bars and good eats are. Parking is very expensive in downtown, so make sure you figure that into your salary if you are planning to drive. Aetna parking used to be free in the open lot at Capitol Avenue but I believe they charge for that too now. Anywhere in Constitution Plaza is a killer for parking, even with employer subsidies. I think only Hartford Steam Boiler subsidizes parking for its employees at a 100%.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

I don't think anyone has mentioned New Haven yet. My perception(and i could be wrong) has been that it's the most open/liberal city in the state.

[skytrekker]

New Haven and Hartford I believe are said to be among the most liberal cities nationally- not much difference between them. New Havens Yale presence is what makes the city so wonderful- and the city has a growing Biotechnology sector- Hartford still is mostly Insurance and finance.

Hartford has a thriving arts sector- in fact greater Hartford is ranked the 20th best city and metro area for visual and performing arts in both the US and Canada. The new science center soon to be completed downtown will add another dimension to the sciences and arts in the region.

Greater Hartford's housing stock is mostly a mixture of 2 and three family homes built in the late 19th century to early to mid 20th century, post WW 2 single family homes in the inner suburbs of mostly Cape Cods and Colonials (traditional New England) Some rather bland stuff built in the 1970s- and more improved designed homes built after. There has been a concerted effort to bring back the regions traditional architecture of Capes, Colonials, Farm houses and Salt Boxes- McMansions caught on to some degree in the outer suburbs, but not with the crazy abandon and sprawl of elsewhere- many of them now sit empty.

Builders have been prudent as to not over build. Condos and townhouse abound in the cities and suburbs. I would strongly consider West Hartford as a place to live- when in the region again spend some time there-also consider Manchester- more working class then W. Hartford, but a nice New England town with a nice diversity that offers a good housing stock of many styles, and is vastly more affordable then West Hartford. The Main street is very nice- traditional New England- and while it lacks the upscale shine of West Hartford, it is more down to earth with some nice shops and restaurants.

Wethersfield is another good choice-just south of Hartford, the 'Old Section' of town has homes dating back to the 1600's- with a Main street in the old part of town that is charming. 2/3 family renovated homes are available as well- and the trip into Hartford is quick.

[JViello]

Scran: What you are probably going to hear more than not is that you should move somewhere outside of Hartford sans the West End and downtown. (check out Hartford21)

In fairness, the city limits of Hartford are very small and that's a lot of why you hear this being said.

If you want to live IN Hartford's neighborhoods outside of those two areas here is a video of what you can expect:


YouTube - Hartford, CT

Just so you understand what you are getting into. This city is pretty rough on the inside...actually it's more like ring around the collar. The core is fine and the outter limits is fine, but there is a "ring" around the city of ghetto filth.

Based on what you listed, I would look into West Hartford/West end of Hartford, or downtown Hartford.

Best of luck to you.

[skytrekker]

Scran

The Gay scene in Connecticut is sort of like the one on California- it is quite good; the cities like New Haven and Hartford have thriving gay areas- but outlying towns like Salisbury, Woodstock are also favorites of gay men and lesbians seeking solitude- but quick access to cities.

Hartford and New Haven have bars, and Springfield MA just to the north also has a good nightlife-
Providence RI has some great bars, and 2 gay bath houses.

Plus there are numerous social and recreational organizations in the state for gay people.
You might be interested in seeking more information from one of the oldest published gay publicans in the nation Metro line Metroline Online - New England's Oldest LGBT Publication

[glxyman21]

It is quite a shame, that a once prosperous city like Hartford has degraded so far. as for mass Transit, you will need to live in the central area of Hartford to use it. The links from the surrounding suburbs are limited. The central core and west end are probably the only areas I would considered. Even in the West end I knew of people that had crimes committed in their neighborhood or police chases through their back yard. Living in Hartford will require you to have a car no matter which way you cut it. There isn't even a supermarket in central Hartford so you will have to go out to buy food.

I would not even recommend the dicey areas, even though you say you don't want to be part of a gang initiation, by standers have been injured in drive by shootings. Housing is fairly cheap in Hartford, and a property can go for under $200,000. You may need to recalculate your budget as I have known people to go into the accounting field and start at around $35,000-40,000. On the other hand, there are a lot of rentals in Hartford to choose from.

[goldenband]

Originally Posted by glxyman21

as for mass Transit, you will need to live in the central area of Hartford to use it.

While downtown is the focal point of the transit system, you can ride public transportation if you're going along one of the "corridors" that lead to downtown. It'd certainly be possible to live in the West End near Farmington Ave. and take one of the "E" line buses to Aetna. From there, you can also ride your bike to UHa -- I know a fair number of people who commute to UHa via bike from the West End, and you don't need to go through any sketchy neighborhoods to do so.

I second all the recommendations for the West End -- it seems pretty much tailor-made for what you want. It'll be tricky, but you can probably survive without a car if you're willing to bike a lot, especially if you're able to make arrangements for those occasions during the year when you need a car for a day (moving furniture, etc.). Also, unless things have changed since I left CT, there's at least one supermarket on Prospect Ave. within biking distance of the West End, as well as things on or near Farmington Ave. in West Hartford (Cosmos, Whole Foods, etc.).

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by glxyman21

It is quite a shame, that a once prosperous city like Hartford has degraded so far. as for mass Transit, you will need to live in the central area of Hartford to use it. The links from the surrounding suburbs are limited. The central core and west end are probably the only areas I would considered. Even in the West end I knew of people that had crimes committed in their neighborhood or police chases through their back yard. Living in Hartford will require you to have a car no matter which way you cut it. There isn't even a supermarket in central Hartford so you will have to go out to buy food.

I would not even recommend the dicey areas, even though you say you don't want to be part of a gang initiation, by standers have been injured in drive by shootings. Housing is fairly cheap in Hartford, and a property can go for under $200,000. You may need to recalculate your budget as I have known people to go into the accounting field and start at around $35,000-40,000. On the other hand, there are a lot of rentals in Hartford to choose from.

Your negativity is astounding

I do hope things are superior to you as an expatriate living in the UK

[Uconn97]

Wow - as always a multitude of opinions. I will agree that mass transit in the HTFD area has it issues. I will disagree that it only "serves" central hartford. My grandmother didn't drive and relied on buses. She managed to navigate all of Hartford, most of West Hartford, parts of Glastonbury and East Hartford and even manchester quite successfully (God rest her soul).

To the OP. You will be quite safe in Hartford in the West End or the downtown area. Thats not to say there isn't the occasional crime, it is a city after all. With your anticipated income range you might want to look at renting for a year and see where the market is and get a feel for the neighborhoods after that time. I have gay friends who live in glastonbury and West Hartford and they respectively like their towns, but they also have to utilize cars to get to and from work. Good luck!