[goldenband]

JViello, I'm intrigued that you mentioned Newhallville and (parts of) Fair Haven as favorites, since both neighborhoods have reputations for crime, poverty, etc. and don't usually garner much praise. When you get a chance, I'd be interested to hear more about what you like about them.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by goldenband

JViello, I'm intrigued that you mentioned Newhallville and (parts of) Fair Haven as favorites, since both neighborhoods have reputations for crime, poverty, etc. and don't usually garner much praise. When you get a chance, I'd be interested to hear more about what you like about them.

Sure no problem. Remember, I grew up in Waterbury (Yes moved away to a rural town in my early teens, but like a moth to the flame, my friends and "life" was still in Wtby) so the things you and the OP mentioned, I think IMO get overblown.

I just don't see the random crime issues being...well, random. You probably know just as much as I, that when you live in a neighborhood, are a decent person, make friends etc you get left alone 99% of the time. The "inner city crimes" are more about being in a culture and circle of people IMO. Unless you frequent the West Indian Social Club in Hartford, I'd be shocked if you have the same issues.

When I'm in North Hartford, to me, it's just like being "home". I walk down the street, say hello, frequent Scott's or whatever I'm in the mood for. I've never been called "whitey" "cracker" or "stared down" It just doesn't happen. I don't try and act "ghetto" to fit in, I'm just me. I'll shake a hand, say hello whatever. I COULD get all grimey and ghetto, but I left that life and mindset behind a long time ago.

So in a nutshell, I find the neighborhoods you mentioned have a nice vibe, decent archetecture and are very local to DT and Yale with a very reasonable price tag.

Hey, gentrification's gotta start somwhere and single and/or childless, young people/couples need to stop being so damned afraid...and in fact I applaud the OP for his mindset even if he does like to pick on those of us living outside the inner city.

[goldenband]

Thanks for your post. I totally agree that it's young childless folks who often help a neighborhood start to turn around. In Philadelphia, where I used to live, there are parts of lower North Philadelphia which would have been unimaginable (or at least undesirable) for most people 10-15 years ago, but which are now thriving thanks to "urban pioneers" who have brought much-needed energy. I never really spent much time in those areas when I lived in Philly, but by contrast, the only really sketchy encounter I ever had was in one of the most affluent parts of the city. Similarly, I've never had a problem in my (admittedly limited) experience with the North End of Hartford, at least west of the park...whereas I've had a couple unpleasant encounters in the Parkville/Frog Hollow area.

I'll try to keep an open mind when I start looking next year. It'd certainly be nice to get digs in a cheaper part of town...but I also know that my girlfriend and I will probably be happiest if there's a critical mass of young, educated folks around as neighbors, and I don't think she has a high tolerance for overt sketchiness. It's a tough call.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by goldenband

I'll try to keep an open mind when I start looking next year. It'd certainly be nice to get digs in a cheaper part of town...but I also know that my girlfriend and I will probably be happiest if there's a critical mass of young, educated folks around as neighbors, and I don't think she has a high tolerance for overt sketchiness. It's a tough call.

Hmm, that's going to be a tough one IMO. I'm just not sure the North End is there yet.

But for fun, take a ride around the old Jewish neighborhoods like Cornwall Street, Tower Ave etc. Go down Branford or Andover st etc.

You might be surprised, it's not all like Albany ave.

It's all in what you are comfortable with IMO. I personally would not move there as it's just not in my "wants" right now, but I know if I had too, things would be okay as well.

To be forthright about where I personally am coming from, for me I think a lot of it would be the fact that I'm a church going Christian - you know, the "fundy" "spirit filled" "born again" wack job types There is a common bond where one such as myself can walk into a storefront inner city church and find commonality as well that they could walk into a rural non denom church and find friendship as well. And I'm not guessing as I know this for fact and have visited some of those churches and in turn they have come to visit ours for a fellowship and it's always been inclusion, freindship and open arms and homes on both ends. It's kind of cool to experience actually.

[Connecticut Pam]

Originally Posted by davect1

I'm considering moving to New Haven. I am curious as to which parts are good for someone who wants to be able to walk everywhere. I have a car but really don't want to use it except for commuting to work. I used to live in Connecticut (long ago) and have visited New Haven and found parts of it exceptionally walkable - but don't know where those parts are. A couple of things:
1) I am not very concerned about safety...I've lived in many cities bigger than new haven before (LA, DC, etc), even in not-so-nice "gentrifying" areas of those cities. Though I'd prefer not to live in "slums."
2) Price is not a concern.
Please don't respond if you are a "suburbanite," enjoy using your car, or if you find places like New Haven a dump. Any urban-dwellers on here, I would appreciate your feedback. Thank you!!

Hi Dave: So, did you move to New Haven? I have had some exposure to New Haven living perhaps a half hour away from there and I have to tell you, if you do find a place to live where you can walk to everything, chances are it may not be a good area. The city itself where all the stores and shopping are is pretty nice, Yale University is there, Yale New Haven Hospital is there..good hospital but there is no way around it if you are planning to live in New Haven Proper, you best have some city dwelling experience under your belt as it is a rough, rough town to live in. There are definitely places in the city that are less than desirable just like there are in about every bigger city out there. So, my advice to you, contact a real estate agent and work with them to find what you are looking for,

It is all about personal choice. I prefer the SUBURBS but that is me. I don't like all the sirens, traffic noise, loud music thumping in cars, people fighting and general chaos the city can bring. Good luck.....and be careful!

[roger67]

Downtown, westville, east rock, those are the best places to be.
try Pike International - they have alot of apartments in New Haven

[goldenband]

Originally Posted by JViello

Hmm, that's going to be a tough one IMO. I'm just not sure the North End is there yet.

But for fun, take a ride around the old Jewish neighborhoods like Cornwall Street, Tower Ave etc. Go down Branford or Andover st etc.

You might be surprised, it's not all like Albany ave.

Actually, it's New Haven where we're looking (and where we're hoping to find that critical mass), but we did live in Hartford for several years. The area you're referring to, i.e. west of Blue Hills Ave., is the part of the North End with which I'm most familiar. I've never ventured there at night, but during the day I felt perfectly comfortable -- things didn't look sketchy or run-down at all (though I know that can be deceptive), but simply like a fairly ordinary working-class neighborhood. Head east, though, and it's a different story!

Originally Posted by JViello

To be forthright about where I personally am coming from, for me I think a lot of it would be the fact that I'm a church going Christian - you know, the "fundy" "spirit filled" "born again" wack job types There is a common bond where one such as myself can walk into a storefront inner city church and find commonality as well that they could walk into a rural non denom church and find friendship as well. And I'm not guessing as I know this for fact and have visited some of those churches and in turn they have come to visit ours for a fellowship and it's always been inclusion, freindship and open arms and homes on both ends. It's kind of cool to experience actually.

Definitely. Shared religious beliefs are a real lingua franca between people from different places, and establish a powerful common ground that transcends race, class, national origin, even language. It's tough to find anything on that level in a secular context, though music can have a similar power.

[john_starks]

Originally Posted by roger67

Downtown, westville, east rock, those are the best places to be.
try Pike International - they have alot of apartments in New Haven

i agree. and westville & east rock are clearly more family oriented than downtown. but downtown is the most walkable. and its actually a pretty cool downtown.

[trooper638]

I know New Haven very well, and the area's that have been mentioned would be excellent areas. I especally like the area just to the north and west of Yale. Hope this helps you in your search.