[nowaytoknowyet]

I'm a single male in my middle 40's currently residing in Northern NJ and earn a meek salary in the $32-$40K range working in Accounting support.

I need input on what to do here - should I relocate into the Philadelphia,PA suburbs (not in Philadelphia county), stay in Northern NJ, or move to outside Hartford, CT proper to try to get ahead of the apartment rental prices and high cost of living here in Northern NJ/NYC region? Is there an area in the mentioned areas that is at least relatively safe and doesn't have the high $1K/month minimum rentals for a 1 bedroom apartment?

It's kind of a struggle to live just comfortable where I'm at now and wondering if moving to any of the beforementioned areas would help me at all.

Thanks for you anticipated input whatever it may be.

[Nutmegger]

I can't speak for the Philly suburbs and northern NJ, but you can probably find a 1BR apartment in the Hartford area for under $1k/month. About 5 years ago, I was paying $425/mo. for a small 1BR in the West End of Hartford (probably the safest and, in my humble opinion, nicest area of Hartford). I am sure prices have gone up since then, but not by much. Of course, the apartment was kind of no-frills, and I am sure you could pay $1k/mo. for a really nice place if you wanted to. But it doesn't sound like you care much about the frills, which should serve you well.

If you don't want to live in Hartford, you may be able to find a good deal in one of the surrounding towns (probably not West Hartford, Glastonbury, Simsbury or Avon - they're all pricey).

By the way, Hartford has a lot of work in accounting and insurance. I heard today that Travelers plans to add 500 jobs.

[designkelly]

I would say, you might be able to find something on the New Britain , Farmington town line...it is close to CCSU which is a local university, so that might be an option as far as cheaper rents. I know they have tons of condos in that area near the Westfarms mall, but I don't know how much they are..
But that might be a good option. and I remember the area being relatively safe.

[Dragondog]

Manchester (east of the CT river and Hartford a few miles)has many new rentals- I would call semi upscale to upscalefor around 1K a month for a 1 bedroom with lots of ammentites, the next town to the east Vernon has the same- South Windsor is also a very pleasant town- of course there are many more rentals for less and perhaps higher price. Traffiic would be much less a problem here then in NJ or the Philly area. The areas to the east of Hartford are quiet, with a high quality of life.