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Old 04-23-2009, 06:50 PM
 
8 posts, read 47,492 times
Reputation: 13

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Hi - I have read just about everything here to do with Willimantic, talked to people I know, and I still am getting a mixed impression. Is it really THAT scary? Crimes seem at about the national average. I'm no fraidy cat, and seeing "poor" people loitering about doesn't offend my sensibilities, so be HONEST - and no arguing, please. Everyone is entitled to their opinion!

FACTORS:
We'd prefer not to live in fear of being mugged, or having our home broken into. (we also realize we must take all appropriate precautions ourselves)

We don't want to live "within a short drive" of EVERYTHING - we like to be within walking distance of grocery, restaurant, nightlife, bookstore, etc.

Need to be able to bus to Storrs - one of us is employed there, for just one year.

The other person needs a commercial space (small!) to operate a business out of. Would prefer not to have to operate out of a rented home, as bedrooms are small and costs are higher per sq. ft.

Would really like a modern home, not a drafty noisy chopped up antique house shared with a bunch of students...

I've lived in semi-urban areas with poverty and crime before, and I find it tolerable, as long as I can avoid the danger.

I'm interested in the arts and see that Willimantic is supposedly undergoing some revival and find the aspect of an arts-focused community very appealing.

I'm sort of imagining a very very tiny version of Portland Oregon, which would be great with me. Is this off the mark?


So... Willimantic... yes? no? Please help. And no arguing with other posters if you can help it. I can sort out the nuts

THANK YOU NUTMEG STATE!
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Old 04-23-2009, 07:02 PM
 
Location: Cheshire, Conn.
2,102 posts, read 7,758,297 times
Reputation: 539
There are a lot of opinions on Willimantic. One newspaper decided to sensationalize "heroin, addicts, and their effect on Willimantic." Willimantic certainly doesn't get a lot of coverage of the evening news.
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Old 04-23-2009, 07:04 PM
 
8 posts, read 47,492 times
Reputation: 13
yes, i see most of the news results are for drunk driving in the area. and the article in the courant was from 2002. i'm interested to see what people think of that now. thank you rich!
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Old 04-23-2009, 07:11 PM
 
8,777 posts, read 19,863,242 times
Reputation: 5291
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Lee View Post
There are a lot of opinions on Willimantic. One newspaper decided to sensationalize "heroin, addicts, and their effect on Willimantic." Willimantic certainly doesn't get a lot of coverage of the evening news.
There was also a segment on 60 minutes regarding the issue at the time. Whether or not the town was/is being unfairly maligned, i'll have to leave that opinion to others who are more familiar with Willimantic.
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Old 04-23-2009, 07:12 PM
 
21,621 posts, read 31,207,908 times
Reputation: 9775
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Lee View Post
There are a lot of opinions on Willimantic. One newspaper decided to sensationalize "heroin, addicts, and their effect on Willimantic." Willimantic certainly doesn't get a lot of coverage of the evening news.
Agreed. While the city does have problems (where doesn't nowadays), it's hardly a place that violent crime would occur. You're more likely to see druggies than pistols.

Willimantic is located in the most rural area of CT so you will have to drive to malls, cities, etc.
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Old 04-24-2009, 07:08 AM
 
2,856 posts, read 10,433,997 times
Reputation: 1691
I used to go to college at ECSU in Willimantic.

My opinion...I would never live there!!!
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Old 04-24-2009, 07:52 AM
 
Location: Storrs, CT
722 posts, read 1,982,764 times
Reputation: 231
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Lee View Post
There are a lot of opinions on Willimantic. One newspaper decided to sensationalize "heroin, addicts, and their effect on Willimantic." Willimantic certainly doesn't get a lot of coverage of the evening news.
FACT: if you don't live in Hartford or New Haven, ur town will most likely not be on the evening news.
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Old 04-24-2009, 07:05 PM
 
8 posts, read 47,492 times
Reputation: 13
so.... what i am getting here is that the reputation might be blown out of proportion, but most people would not willingly live there... agree? or is it ok to live there? i have until tuesday to decide. !!!
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Old 04-24-2009, 07:15 PM
 
2,080 posts, read 3,923,096 times
Reputation: 1828
Quote:
Originally Posted by konekochan View Post
so.... what i am getting here is that the reputation might be blown out of proportion, but most people would not willingly live there... agree? or is it ok to live there? i have until tuesday to decide. !!!
Willimantic is a blue collar/college town There are some very nice neighborhoods and some rundown ones. I think you'll do just fine there. I know several people who live in Willi and believe me they dont live in fear... However, you will see a few poor souls trudging up and down main street all day long waiting for the shelter to open. You'll be fine.
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Old 04-24-2009, 07:18 PM
 
20 posts, read 58,193 times
Reputation: 17
Lived in Willimantic for a couple of years. The area around it is beautiful, and there were people very dedicated to the town and trying to make it work. But otherwise - I can't say I'd recommend it. Maybe its changed - I hope se.
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