[STrapani1105]

I was having a friendly debate with someone and we weren't sure what to label Bridgeport as. I'd definitely call it a hard working, blue collar, factory town. I'm a New Jerseyan though, so what do you Connecticut folks think of Bridgeport? Your view is probably more correct than mine would be.

[MikefromCT]

I suppose you could declare it blue collar. It's definitely more of a working class area than the nearby towns like Fairfield and Westport (which are VERY affluent and much more white-collar). Unfortunately, like alot of other cities in Connecticut, its manufacturing base went downhill fast starting in the 1960s and became a hotbed of unsavory activities like drugs and gangs, and the usual violence that accompanies it. It is, however, in much better shape now than it was in the late '80s thru the '90s. They've cleaned it up a bit, replaced some infamous housing projects with mixed-income housing, and since it's relatively close to New York City this is starting to attract people - especially since it's one of the last remaining places in the county that's affordable for middle-class people. Think of it as Connecticut's version of Elizabeth, New Jersey if you will - a city with working-class roots with some rough areas that's developing into a bedrooom community. (I spent some time as a child in Union County, so I'm familiar with the industrial corridor along the Garden State Pkwy )

[yankee.peddler]

I believe that Bridgeport can no longer be described accurately as a factory town. The industrial base has eroded to almost nothing (although kudos to Derecktor Shipyards for establishing a boatbuilding facility on the harbor). Blue collar? Perhaps -- although I would prefer to use "low to middle-income" when describing the city's neighborhoods and population.

Mike made some good points above.

[seymourct]

There is very very little industry left in Bridgeport. Bpt once thrived and the city was known as the Industrial Capitol of CT, and even had it's am radio station tagged W.I.C.C. It was home to Moore Precision machines, lace companies, metal fabricators, had train tracks all around the city to pick up goods from the various companies and bring their stuff to the shore or the rails.

Now ~ hmm ~ retired blue collar from the old days. Yes, most of the dangerous housing projects are gone. Starter homes, and old victorian mansions carved up into individual apartments, or law offices. Although, no one would ever call the mansions on the road by St. Mary's By the Sea Walkway a blue collar home or a starter house! They are still very very exclusive million dollar homes behind 8 foot fences. I've hear that former US House rep Chris Shays is selling his home by St. Mary's for quite a bit, apparently he can't afford to keep it now that he isn't on the govt. payroll.