[ajacques]

I'm looking at transfering to the UOC school of law in Harford. What should I expect for avg living expenses? Rent, Electric/heat/gas, ect. Anything I should know about? Theres no manadatory health care and surpises like in mass right? - Massachussetts was my first pick but it's looking like that'll be to expensive. How's the job market in Hartford?

[KH02]

Which college are you talking about? what size place do you want to rent? Do you want to rent WITHIN hartford or in outerlying areas?

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by ajacques

I'm looking at transfering to the UOC school of law in Harford. What should I expect for avg living expenses? Rent, Electric/heat/gas, ect. Anything I should know about? Theres no manadatory health care and surpises like in mass right? - Massachussetts was my first pick but it's looking like that'll be to expensive. How's the job market in Hartford?

KH02 - I think the OP is talking about UCONN school of law.

OP - Unless you're planning on renting IN Hartford (or New Britain, Bristol), rents will be higher than in MA. Rents in CT are the highest in the country, unfortunately. When looking in Hartford, that is if you plan to, make sure you choose the right neighborhood, if you know what I mean.

Rent depends on what you want (studio, 1br, 2br...), and utilities are not cheap in CT.

How big of a place do you need, and do you want to live in a city or a suburb?

[ajacques]

Really more expensive than Mass?
I was hoping for somthing IN or just outside of Hartford. Hoping for a 1br for $700. $800 if it includes utilities. I'm expecing a max of $200 for gas/electric/heat combined and another $60 for water. Is that too much to ask for?

My only option to move to are CT, MA & VT; maybe NY. So out of those which one can I find a cheap place to live that clean, around a law school? I just want a place were my girlfriend and I can afford to live and get married in. Is that to much to ask for

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by ajacques

Really more expensive than Mass?
I was hoping for somthing IN or just outside of Hartford. Hoping for a 1br for $700. $800 if it includes utilities. I'm expecing a max of $200 for gas/electric/heat combined and another $60 for water. Is that too much to ask for?

My only option to move to are CT, MA & VT; maybe NY. So out of those which one can I find a cheap place to live that clean, around a law school? I just want a place were my girlfriend and I can afford to live and get married in. Is that to much to ask for

CT in general has higher taxes than MA, and rents are higher in CT than MA as a whole - so yes, CT will be more than MA. Boston will be more than Hartford, but SW CT will be more than Boston - so it all depends exactly where you're looking.

Near a law school? Well UCONN Law is in the Hartford burbs - check out rents in Farmington, New Britain, West Hartford and maybe even Hartford itself (be picky in Hartford though). There is also Quinnipiac Law in Hamden, which is a decent and affordable suburb of New Haven.

[goldenband]

Originally Posted by ajacques

I was hoping for somthing IN or just outside of Hartford. Hoping for a 1br for $700. $800 if it includes utilities. I'm expecing a max of $200 for gas/electric/heat combined and another $60 for water. Is that too much to ask for?

You should be able to find something that'll suit your needs, though it might take a bit of hunting. A cursory search of Craigslist revealed several listings in the West End of Hartford (which is probably where you ought to live) that were in your price range.

[hartford_renter]

You can find 1 BR in the west end of hartford for 700 - 750 per month, that are 1bedroom. Those do not include utilities though.

[AmyBergquist]

If you are talking about UConn Law School, go to the school for help in finding a rental. Many landlords prefer to rent to law students so they actively solicit and advertise them at the school. When a 3L graduates and there is an open spot, it's typically backfilled by a 1L. You should be able to find some options in the West End of Hartford right now through the school, which would be a really convenient (ie-walkable) commute.

[ajacques]

1.) Thats for the advice amy. Based on a craigslist search it looks like there's more jobs in my field (secretary/paralegal) in Hartford than Springfield, ma. So i'm debating between the two. While I have my heart set on Western New England School over Unv. of Conneticuit I think it may be easier to live in CT. I see cheaper apartments and I don't HAVE to have healthcare. Do you guys know if CT has the yearly car tax like Mass? I know they have a higher income tax by a few percent but are their other taxes/fees I should be aware of?

2.) How hard is it to get your teaching certification? How are teaching jobs in CT? My girlfriend as pretty good grades (maybe a C or two) and will have to transfer to a school when we move. Any suggestions?

[goldenband]

As an aside, it might interest you to know (if you're not already aware of this) that the West End, which is where UConn Law is located, has a fairly strong LGBT presence. I'm not sure if that's a priority for you, but it's one thing to consider.

Springfield, MA has its advantages no doubt, but IMHO the Hartford area is a bit livelier and offers a broader array of cultural activities. And its location is somewhat preferable, in that the options within an hour of Hartford are more appealing (at least to me -- but I'm not a big fan of western MA, much of which I find to be rather bleak).