[nycdweller]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum and have a few questions about East Hartford, CT. The only areas in Connecticut I'm somewhat familiar with are Danbury, and Bethel. How does East Hartford compare to these two towns? Is East Hartford considered a suburban or urban setting? What is the quality of life like in East Hartford? Is it a safe area to live? Thanks for your comments.

[uconn99]

Most people in this board probably will have nothing but bad things to say about East Hartford. However overall it is a pretty good town. The city is probably half urban half suburban with some nice neighboordhoods, mostly near the Manchester line.

East Hartford schools are not the worst or are they the best, I would rate them in the middle but certainly not on par with Bethel or Danbury.

You might find some god housing deals if you look around, and remember East Hartford is home to Rentschler field which will only do good things for the city.


http://www.rentschler-field.com/home.html

[skytrekker]

I grew up in East Hartford- in the mid 60s- when it was a fine town- over the years there was a steady decline.Most of the towns nice areas are near the Manchester line. Sunset Ridge and near the Glastonbury line. The schools have some problems. Taxes for years where low because of United Technologies.

Rentschler field is there of course- and Carbella- the national outdoor company is going to build a huge complex in town.

[Lincolnian]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

I grew up in East Hartford- in the mid 60s- when it was a fine town- over the years there was a steady decline.Most of the towns nice areas are near the Manchester line. Sunset Ridge and near the Glastonbury line. The schools have some problems. Taxes for years where low because of United Technologies.

Rentschler field is there of course- and Carbella- the national outdoor company is going to build a huge complex in town.

I grew up there too! Some of my relatives still live there but most have moved out. Between the mid 80s and 90s the town changed dramatically. As a kid in the 70s East Hartford was a great place to live. We never worried about crime, predators or any of the problems that are so well publicized today. We never locked the door to the house even when we went on vacation.

I miss those days for my children. I posted "What Happened to the World of the Beaver,"(Politics Forum) based on my experiences as a kid growing up in East Hartford.

I wish we could get the "good things" back from those days for our children.

[skytrekker]

I grew up in the Oak street area in East Hartford- right near the Manchester line- yes I agree it was a very nice place to live- but the decline in the 80s and 90s was swift. I lived in Manchester from 1989-1999; and now live in Vernon.

[Lincolnian]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

I grew up in the Oak street area in East Hartford- right near the Manchester line- yes I agree it was a very nice place to live- but the decline in the 80s and 90s was swift. I lived in Manchester from 1989-1999; and now live in Vernon.

I worked as a school teacher in Manchester in from 93 to 01. I saw the same negative changes occurring in Manchester that happened in East Hartford. It keeps moving outward from cities like Hartford, New Britian, Waterbury etc. I moved to Tolland in 88 and then to Bristol in 95. I believe that the infrastructure the small cities and surrounding suburbs have to offer can be a tremendous asset. Although I love the country (spend a lot of free time in NH) I don't want to be a slave to commuting wasting time I could spend with my family, gas and car repurchase and maintenance costs.

Concerned citizens need to become more involved in their communities addressing the systemic problems.

I believe that the time will come when communities like East Hartford willl make their resurgence and be viewed as a great place to live because of their strategic locations and accessibility.