[KH02]

In my opinion, if you move to CT to a town with "great" schools like you want, there will be very little diversity in the town, at least compared to what you are used to in TX.

[Coastal_habitat]

We thought of Oregon first because my husband always wanted to move there. Then we researched blue law states and CT was the only one that appealed to us.

Perceptions of people may not necessarily translate into our own. That's something I learned when I moved to TX. And that's precisely why I'm asking for some feedback and honest opinions on this forum.

Thanks again.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Coastal_habitat

Hey guys, thanks so much for your input.

Going post by post, the conclusion so far is that I should do what is right for my family, which right now translates into: good schools for our kid and having Sundays off for my husband.

On the other hand, it would be nice not to be constantly stressed out about paying the rent! Which brings me back to Oregon. Which brings me back to the fact that I do like Portland a lot, it's a very beautiful city, but honestly, the unemployment rates in OR scare me a bit. (see why I'm so confused?)

About our budget, I'm sure Fairfield Co would be a bit harsh on our pocket, so I guess a possibility would be living more towards Hartford, even if it's far from the coast and NY or Boston.
----------------------

Dear Unschooler, I see you've gone through some of my older posts!

I've enjoyed the laid back attitude in Austin, and the fact that, contrary to the way it was in the Bay Area, the level of snobbery here is near to zero.

The reason we're moving is the heat (the same push factor you and your family experienced). I've really enjoyed having my husband around to spend our Sundays together as a family, but that would change if I were to move to any state with no blue laws.

So CT is somewhat a stronger option right now because of that.

The only concern to be completely honest with you is the high cost of living, the lack of major urban centers in CT itself and the "diversity" issue. All these regarded comparatively to Texas (cost of living) and California (diversity and urban centers).

About the snobbery issue, I have no personal opinion about it in CT, since I didn't experience it as a week-long tourist there. It's just based on the many comments one hears and reads. All I can say is that I already had my share of that while living in the San Francisco Bay Area for 6 years!!!

---------------------------

So. Maybe the trade off will be to think that what we're saving in private school fees (by not sending our kid to one) will go into our monthly rent. All for the sake of having daddy home on Sundays.

Hmmmm....

But thanks again for helping me brainstorm. You guys are great.

See bolded area above.

"far"? I can assure you, in the Hartford metro you will be MUCH closer to the ocean then in Portland. About 20 miles directly North. 30ish minute drive.

Boston is less than 90 minutes away and NYC about 90 or so. Very easy to get to both. Remember CT is a SMALL state so don't think Hartford is in the "middle" and "far" because it's not.

[Connecticut Pam]

Originally Posted by Coastal_habitat

OK. I'll post this one too on the Oregon forum, but the reason behind the urgent tone of my post is because we have to get out of our house by the end of the month!
So the countdown has begun for us and we REALLY need to decide: is it Oregon or is it Connecticut for us?
(NOTE: I don't mean to offend anyone with my perception on both places.)

So. It all boils down to this:
For us:
Oregon
Pros: Portland, its walkability, the fact that my husband loves it, it's on the West Coast, its diversity (we are a racially diverse family ourselves), its natural beauty, and of course, affordability.
Cons: Heard that public schools are not that great, the nearest big city is 2 hours away, AND, husband would have to work Saturdays and Sundays (he's in car sales)


Connecticut:
Pros: its proximity to two big cities (either NY or Boston depending on where you live), its natural beauty, GREAT public schools, AND the fact that hubby would have Sundays OFF (we have a 5 year old boy)

Cons: Cost of living, lack of diversity (comparatively to other parts of the country), pervasive suburban feel, and, from what I've read and been told, materialism and a little bit of a snobby attitude.

I don't know. My husband grew up in the Bay Area so he loves colder climates. He really likes Portland but we'd love for our son to have his family together on Sundays. I'm Asian, and so I need to feel some diversity around me. But all in all I can adjust almost anywhere as long as I'm not the only secular, liberal, "person of color" around...!


What would you do?

Thank you.

I can't speak to what Oregon is like other than having a friend who lives there, I don't know much about it. I do live in Connecticut and like it a lot, have been here most of my life with a short stay in Maine for a few years..loved Maine, but Conn. is home.

As far as Conn. people being snobby, you are talking more about the Southern part of the state perhaps in Fairfield County area. Lots of money down there and not as much diversification as where I am which is Central Conn. Yes the schools are good here and if you are looking for diversity, then you do need to live in central Conn...not the southern part of the state.

In the long run, what matters most here is where you and your family are going to be comfortable and happy. I do suggest checking out the following towns in CT...Hamden, Cheshire, Southington, Newington, Berlin, West Hartford. Good luck!

[Coastal_habitat]

Originally Posted by Connecticut Pam

I do suggest checking out the following towns in CT...Hamden, Cheshire, Southington, Newington, Berlin, West Hartford. Good luck!

Thank you for your suggestions. I will definitely consider them.

All in all, West Hartford has always come up every time I post a question, so maybe West Hartford it is. We really liked it when we went to visit last year.

[usmcfamily]

Originally Posted by Coastal_habitat

We thought of Oregon first because my husband always wanted to move there. Then we researched blue law states and CT was the only one that appealed to us.

Perceptions of people may not necessarily translate into our own. That's something I learned when I moved to TX. And that's precisely why I'm asking for some feedback and honest opinions on this forum.

Thanks again.

Well, as a black woman living in (gasp) Fairfield County, I can assure you what you heard about diversity and snobbery issues is false!

[Seattle's Best 28]

Originally Posted by Connecticut Pam

As far as Conn. people being snobby, you are talking more about the Southern part of the state perhaps in Fairfield County area. Lots of money down there and not as much diversification as where I am which is Central Conn. Yes the schools are good here and if you are looking for diversity, then you do need to live in central Conn...not the southern part of the state.

It is not just the southern tip of CT but any town that is above middle class. There aren't many working class areas in CT so if you are middle income, you might have issue. I lived in Seattle and LOVED it up there, CT is much better for schools and proximity to culture.

CT is NOT diverse. It's white in the suburbs and black in the cities. The very few areas in CT that are middle class are the Valley area (Seymour, Shetlon), Manchester/Bloomfield/parts of West Hartford, Meriden, Hamden (where I live and love it) and out in Norwich/New London area. Mostly every other part is affluent and expensive. With that I am Asian and have never had a problem in Hamden, which is one of CTs most diverse suburbs. Come check it out.

People here, SNOBBY? Well there are a lot of them and people here can be stuck on their "enlightenment" but CT is very well rounded. Someone else said that suburbs here are different, and they are. They don't have the row housing, even the most suburban town in the state are green and lush most months out of the year, and you get more land when you purchase. All things aside, CT is a magnificant place. There will be pros and cons to every area and I might end back up in the PNW since we are living paycheck to paycheck, but we have lived well beyond our means for some time. We don't blame cost of living in CT on that.

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by Coastal_habitat

OK. I'll post this one too on the Oregon forum, but the reason behind the urgent tone of my post is because we have to get out of our house by the end of the month!

So the countdown has begun for us and we REALLY need to decide: is it Oregon or is it Connecticut for us?

(NOTE: I don't mean to offend anyone with my perception on both places.)

So. It all boils down to this:

For us:

Oregon

Pros: Portland, its walkability, the fact that my husband loves it, it's on the West Coast, its diversity (we are a racially diverse family ourselves), its natural beauty, and of course, affordability.
Cons: Heard that public schools are not that great, the nearest big city is 2 hours away, AND, husband would have to work Saturdays and Sundays (he's in car sales)


Connecticut:
Pros: its proximity to two big cities (either NY or Boston depending on where you live), its natural beauty, GREAT public schools, AND the fact that hubby would have Sundays OFF (we have a 5 year old boy)

Cons: Cost of living, lack of diversity (comparatively to other parts of the country), pervasive suburban feel, and, from what I've read and been told, materialism and a little bit of a snobby attitude.

I don't know. My husband grew up in the Bay Area so he loves colder climates. He really likes Portland but we'd love for our son to have his family together on Sundays. I'm Asian, and so I need to feel some diversity around me. But all in all I can adjust almost anywhere as long as I'm not the only secular, liberal, "person of color" around...!


What would you do?

Thank you.

Having visited the Pacific NW a few times I thought it was quite beautiful. I’m a much bigger fan of lush green places like the Pacific NW than of dry arid ones like the desert SW. Just a few contrasting notes however…

Cities like Portland and Seattle are significantly bigger than Hartford or New Haven (or Bridgeport /Stamford). However, Connecticut overall is more densely populated than Oregon or Washington State. Also, much of southern, and especially southwest Connecticut… is really more tied to just one big city - NYC. However, this is not to say that cities like New Haven/Hartford/Stamford are small towns: they have 30 story buildings, a large downtown work force, theater, restaurants…etc. I would disagree with the above post about diversity. Most of metro Connecticut has just as much diversity locally as any other region in the USA. Perhaps in the far northwestern and northeastern rural parts of the state this is true, but from Hartford south to New Haven, west to Stamford it is totally untrue. Take a walk around cities like New Haven or Stamford. As far as being the only secular, liberal, "person of color" around”…its Connecticut (lol). The NYNY, Northern New Jersey, and southern Connecticut area is the largest metro area on the US mainland - 27,000,000 + people (bigger than San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle metro’s combined!) Trust me…anyone fit’s in here.

Next, although economically the whole nation is suffering, if your husband is in sales (and that must be tough these days), it would stand to reason to be closer to folks with the highest salries and economic resources. I cannot imagine that a place like Portland could offer the same number of potential folks with the buying power as a place like southwest Connecticut 50 – miles from NYC , or the suburbs of Hartford. For better or worse…Connecticut still is one of the states with people who have the most disposable income. I was in sales many moons ago - nothing is harder than to try to sell goods and services to folks who have very little buying power. It’s just a fact of sales and life.

Climate wise keep in mind, Portland (and all of the PNW) have the cloudiest skies and receive the least sunshine of anywhere in the USA. If your husband grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, remember…although Portland is a cool temperate climate like SF somewhat… it has far fewer sunny days (and much more rain) than the Bay area. For example…San Fran averages 105 cloudy days per year…New Haven or NYC averages 149 ….while Portland averages 222! There are really only three months (JJA) that are dry in the Pacific NW - the other 9 months are quite wet and cloudy. Portland, Or is no place for someone who desires a warm/dry and even occasionally sunny climate. I don’t know about Texas, but on the East Coast if we don’t see the sun for 4 or 5 days it’s quite depressing. I have read that it is not uncommon in the big cities in the Pacific NW to go 4 or 5 weeks without seeing the sun.

Also, remember you’re coming from Texas – a lower latitude, it gets darker in the northern half of the USA in winter earlier than in the southern half . In December or January it gets dark around 4:00 PM in the afternoon in CT/NYC. Portland or Seattle is 300 to 400 miles NORTH of Connecticut or NYC. So I can only imagine how quick the light fades up in the Pacific NW in winter.


Cheers.

[Coastal_habitat]

Wow Wavehunter... what a great, thorough response, thank you so much! I think I'm going to print it and frame it! LOL.

Now seriously, you have just reminded me of all the good reasons why we considered CT to begin with (back in August of last year). Thanks for taking the time to write that post! It reflects almost word for word what I was telling myself right after logging off from this thread a while ago...

My husband just got off the phone with a big dealership over there (in CT) and they were surprised why we would want to move from TX when DH told him of the volume that the dealership he works moves in a month. But then again, it's all Texas sized, and it's a bigger dealership, with many more sales representatives to share the cake with. It's all relative.

And to Seattlebest, I hope you don't mind I sent you a direct message. Feel free to respond... or not.

Thank you guys.

All the best.

[seymourct]

Just want to let you know that some of the car dealerships in CT are open on Sundays, with limited hours. If your spouse is tele-interviewing, he should ask that question of the dealership. Plus, we've seen dealerships locally in the area close. Have a job before you come.