[goldenband]

Originally Posted by HeadedWest

It is almost never wise to assume that the rich will not have options.

What would those options be, within an hour or so of NYC? I certainly agree that the rich have an uncanny way of eluding nearly any fiscal obligation the state asks of them.

Originally Posted by HeadedWest

I think that is highly dependent on the discipline.

It may be true that some geographic areas tend to favor certain disciplines; I have a hard time imagining a university in the Bible Belt enthusiastically recruiting an English professor who does Marxist lit-crit, for instance. But from the sources I've looked at, it seems to me that the salary difference across the board is fairly consistent, and correlates pretty strongly with cost of living and local standards.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by goldenband

What would those options be, within an hour or so of NYC? I certainly agree that the rich have an uncanny way of eluding nearly any fiscal obligation the state asks of them.

Like having a primary residence in a "low tax" state, and having an S corp or whatever own property within an hour of NYC. Call it the NY headquarters and/or retreat for "xyz enterprises".

Money like that does open up many options. I agree with HW that it's hard to pin folks down like that and in the end, may not serve the best interest at hand. Also remember these folks have the world at their doorstep, not just the USA. Lots of well to do folks eyeing Ireland right now.

[Connecticut Pam]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

What do most people generally perceive of Connecticut?

Prior to viewing photos on city-data, I always perceived 100% suburban white-picket fence-like. Surprisingly, I am finding it to have a very urban-looking feel to most of the cities.What do most people seem to perceive of as CT? (Even if you are from CT, what is the general stereotype/feelings on your state?)

I think most people who are not from here do see Suburbia with white picket fences....when in reality the way Conn. is "set up" is plenty of Suburbia around and white picket fences but drive for 10 min. and you will hit pockets of Urban like areas and even some downright nasty areas...it is the strangest thing...example. I live in Meriden. Meriden consists of the East Side, West Side and South Meriden. I am on the West Side and live on a BIG hill. If you look out over the city from my deck, the East Side is also pretty much on several big hills then there is the center of town...looks like Beirut in places! Then there is South Meriden...very quaint, kind of farmy...good neighborhoods...but it is spoiled by the sewage plant being there and the dump! So, my theory is....flood the downtown area of Meriden, make a big lake and have everyone live on either West Side Hill or East Side Hills.

I like Connecticut because it is close to NYC and close to Boston...can get to both areas from here in about 2 hours. I do like Meriden...just needs some revitalization in the downtown area...

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Beeker2211

This isn't the 1980's or 1990's anymore, and even areas that are still considered bad, example being the West Side and West End of Bridgeport/Tunxis in Fairfield, that have both gentrified because people started caring about their property or younger people moved in that actually could take care of their properties (lest on forgets there were an incredible amount of elderly folks in the area for years).

I don't think the Tunxis Hill section of Fairfield has ever or could ever be considered "bad". It is mostly older homes for the working class but it has never been considered "Bad". Jay

[seymourct]

White picket fences? does anyone really put them up nowdays? I thought they were only used on Hollywood sound stages in the 1930's??

We've got plenty of rocks around these parts, and lots of yards still use the farmers old rock walls as part of their landscapes. Some folks have privacy fences around their pools if they a able enough to have an inground pool where a fence is required, wireless dog fences ~ sure lots of them, some people put up a post on the corners of their lot and let 1or 2 rails kinds hang there on the ground, maybe a shrubline, or ewww~ rusted chain link, but white picket... no don't think so. Most don't really need fences, we kinda just know where to stop mowing the grass.

I think picket fences are just too much work, when was the last time you saw someone outside in overall's whitewashing his/her fence? The few that I have ever seen needed a lot of sanding and scraping.

[Uconn97]

Originally Posted by seymourct

White picket fences? does anyone really put them up nowdays? I thought they were only used on Hollywood sound stages in the 1930's??

We've got plenty of rocks around these parts, and lots of yards still use the farmers old rock walls as part of their landscapes. Some folks have privacy fences around their pools if they a able enough to have an inground pool where a fence is required, wireless dog fences ~ sure lots of them, some people put up a post on the corners of their lot and let 1or 2 rails kinds hang there on the ground, maybe a shrubline, or ewww~ rusted chain link, but white picket... no don't think so. Most don't really need fences, we kinda just know where to stop mowing the grass.

I think picket fences are just too much work, when was the last time you saw someone outside in overall's whitewashing his/her fence? The few that I have ever seen needed a lot of sanding and scraping.

Well, I don't wear overalls, but mine is pristine and gets powerwashed yearly and painted as needed

[Beeker2211]

JV,

"The Tax Foundation - State and Local Tax Burdens: All Years, One State, 1977-2008 "

Actually, this was the report I was thinking of and it covers none of the important variables that I talked about in my earlier post. Also, they talk about "averages" of tax liability and income which is great when trying to get an idea, but it's hardly a hard look on the actual function of the tax system which would be shown with a study that focused on the mode of taxed percentages and how that affects day to day life. In the case of the state's Corporate Tax structure, I think it needs to be reformed to be easier to understand and perhaps lowered a little bit, but really for companies there's an easy way to get around it: reorganise as a partnership or sole proprietor and then tax profits as personal income at the lower rate. Though that would make the holders of those companies completely liable for the organisation's actions and responsibilities.

As for Ireland, the tax structure there is fairly progressive once you reach a sizable amount of income (higher if it's earnings on investments) as well as the economy taking a nosedive with Iceland's. Maybe people are still considering moving, but with some 300,000 people on the pension queues just two months ago I'm not too sure if it has the same zeal.

Jay,

"I don't think the Tunxis Hill section of Fairfield has ever or could ever be considered "bad". It is mostly older homes for the working class but it has never been considered "Bad". Jay"

It's where I grew up, and I personally loved it. It was an area with less than reputable establishments (porn shops, lots of liquor shops, "spas," and a burned out old factory and other blighted storefronts at the heart of it), social issues (poverty, known and open drug use, violence that thank Allah swt I didn't get involved in, cars getting broken into) but it was balanced by an equal amount of kind, fun, caring, and hopeful people that either were on their luck or not. But it did have the reputation and still does for better or for worse.

~Cheers

[SanDiegoTeen]

My CT experience is limited. My grandma lives in Darien and my dad grew up there. I love Darien and the country side further north. But I haven't been anywhere east of New Haven.

Anyway, I love that area. Beautiful...but expensive.

And I noticed that people tend to hate on Fairfield county. "They're all a bunch of stuck up bit****".

Yes, it's wealthy, but the people are very nice and open. And I go there 4 times a year and have been going there ever since I can remember.

[cwhodatiz]

...alot of the opinions I have read here seem so contrary to the Connecticut I remember as a young girl attending elementary in Windsor....but that was over 20 years ago...change is inevitable.

Question...how does Connecticut society point one towards blaming their mother?

[brasscitybluenwhite]

Originally Posted by cwhodatiz

...alot of the opinions I have read here seem so contrary to the Connecticut I remember as a young girl attending elementary in Windsor....but that was over 20 years ago...change is inevitable.

Question...how does Connecticut society point one towards blaming their mother?

whenever I read a commentary, comments on a news website, or a blog, people constantly blame parents for the decline of the inner city. People dont generally believe in being the "product of one's own environment" theory around here.