[mlassoff]

Hi everyone. Thought I'd post my thoughts after being in Vernon for a week. I was actually home this week arranging the condo and had quite a chance to explore Vernon and the surrounding area. So before I leave for Boston for next week's assignment here's what I like so far about Vernon:

1) It's quiet. After living in Bridgeport for the last 8 months, I am enjoying the quiet very much.
2) Ok, you win. It's CHEAP. My modern, one bedroom condo is less than $900/ month. I have a dishwasher (unlike in Bridgeport) and none of the neighbors appear to be questionable. I had breakfast at a local donut shop for $1.85.
3) Boston is close. Made it to Boston in 1:35 for a meeting on Tuesday.
4) Lots of shopping. Between the supermarket choices in Vernon, and all of the shopping in the Buckland area, I think there is plenty of here to keep me busy. I haven't even been to Evergreen Walk yet.
5) Lots of restaurants. I eat out a lot. So far my favorites are Angellina's (shockingly good Italian!), the Vernon Diner (Best Chef Salad I've had in years) and Reins. Even had a decent bagel and shmear at Between Rounds.
6) It seems friendly-- Laid Back. While some are distant, I find that a greater percentage of the people are friendly and inviting-- but still know when to leave you alone.
7) I made it to the airport in :22 minutes! (I was speeding) Yay! No more endless trips to JFK. I'll have the whole Bradley experience next week when I go to Tampa.

And heres what I am not liking so far:

1) No Starbucks in Vernon-- I like a Starbucks as close as possible.
2) Don't like going from 91 to 84 at rush hour.
3) No NY TV stations on Comcast. I guess I'm not in the NY area any more. What the heck is New England Cable News!!?!?! =D
4) Too many Sox fans.. Not enough Yankee fans.

[Tetto]

I'm glad you like the area. As far as Starbucks goes, try Kevin's Coffee Connection instead. When I lived in Manchester on the Vernon line, it was my favorite place to go.

[CTGirlNoMore]

Glad you're liking it!

Yeah, the 91/84 area is pretty bad at rush hour. I've been stuck there before. Not fun. LOL

No NY stations??? Man, I will have to rethink renting in that area before I move out state. LMAO

I actually really like that part of that state.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

Hi everyone. Thought I'd post my thoughts after being in Vernon for a week. I was actually home this week arranging the condo and had quite a chance to explore Vernon and the surrounding area. So before I leave for Boston for next week's assignment here's what I like so far about Vernon:

1) It's quiet. After living in Bridgeport for the last 8 months, I am enjoying the quiet very much.
2) Ok, you win. It's CHEAP. My modern, one bedroom condo is less than $900/ month. I have a dishwasher (unlike in Bridgeport) and none of the neighbors appear to be questionable. I had breakfast at a local donut shop for $1.85.
3) Boston is close. Made it to Boston in 1:35 for a meeting on Tuesday.
4) Lots of shopping. Between the supermarket choices in Vernon, and all of the shopping in the Buckland area, I think there is plenty of here to keep me busy. I haven't even been to Evergreen Walk yet.
5) Lots of restaurants. I eat out a lot. So far my favorites are Angellina's (shockingly good Italian!), the Vernon Diner (Best Chef Salad I've had in years) and Reins. Even had a decent bagel and shmear at Between Rounds.
6) It seems friendly-- Laid Back. While some are distant, I find that a greater percentage of the people are friendly and inviting-- but still know when to leave you alone.
7) I made it to the airport in :22 minutes! (I was speeding) Yay! No more endless trips to JFK. I'll have the whole Bradley experience next week when I go to Tampa.

And heres what I am not liking so far:

1) No Starbucks in Vernon-- I like a Starbucks as close as possible.
2) Don't like going from 91 to 84 at rush hour.
3) No NY TV stations on Comcast. I guess I'm not in the NY area any more. What the heck is New England Cable News!!?!?! =D
4) Too many Sox fans.. Not enough Yankee fans.

Couple notes.

Angellina's has another location in Mansfield and they always get "best Italian" in their respective county. They do have good food.

Next to Angelinas there is a polish bakery (Few doors down) with all homemade items. Very good.

If you want some of the best - and I've been around, Indian in the state head up 83 to Utsav. Fantastic Indian/British service and the food is excellent. index

There is an excellent Polish/European Deli and Market on 83 called "Adams".

Little Marks is a bit grungy but very good BBQ if you picked up on liking that while in TX.

I see you found Between Rounds. Good fresh bagels.

If you want some decent Chinese, I like Joy Luck on Hartford road.
http://www.menuchest.com/menus/vernon/JoyLuck.pdf

Their Steamed Wonton in Spicy sauce is fabulous.

Just over the line in Manchester on 30 you have Elmo's Dockside for good seafood. (Hmm, they may still be in Vernon...right on the line either way.)

http://elmosdockside.com

There is a starbucks on Demming Road over in Manchester...just down the road on 30 past the Vernon line. If you are getting on 84 over there, it's just past on the left so you can just spin around and hop on the highway after getting coffee.

If you want Mexican, I don't recomend Pancho Loco on 83. Head down to Main Street Manchester and hit up El Mariachi Loco.

Yes, you live outside of the NY area now too. It's not so bad.

That's about it off the top of my head for now. Welcome to the Hartford area.

P.S. Try not to giggle to much when you experience the ease of use in Bradley.

Edit: Forgot to add that, if memory serves me right the chef at Vernon Diner is a classicly French trained chef who went back to the family business. Great breakfasts there!

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

3) No NY TV stations on Comcast.

You'll get a whole new definition for what constitutes "news." Also, the anchors tell the story leaving the reporters with nothing to report so they re-state the story again. It's a strange arrangement. On top of that, the anchors talk over the interviewees.

Originally Posted by mlassoff

4) Too many Sox fans.. Not enough Yankee fans.

You should still be able to get YES and Channel 59. West Hartford has a good amount of Yankees fans!

[mlassoff]

@JViello -- Thanks for all the recommendations. I'll be sure to try them all! Utsav is down the street from me, and I do like Indian food.

Re: Little Mark's-- Do they do "links" (sausage)?

I am a big seafood fan, so Elmo's Dockside will be high on the list.

@Rich -- I found YES. That's all I need!

@Tetto -- I will try Kevin's. I hope they have internet access.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

And heres what I am not liking so far:

3) No NY TV stations on Comcast. I guess I'm not in the NY area any more. What the heck is New England Cable News!!?!?! =D

You mean a place like that exists in CT? I'm packing now. See you soon.

[Sleepership]

There is a Starbucks in town I believe

at the Tri City Plaza- inside the Price Chopper Supermarket- I was at the SB store about 6 months ago.

[Lincolnian]

Vernon definitely is high on the convenience factor. As JViello pointed out there are a number of alternatives for food choices and shopping.

You'll find the same is true of many 1st/2nd Tier urban/suburban areas such as Manchester, East Hartford, Wethersfield, Newington, West Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor. These communities all have more blended populations and offer a number of different options to serve the people that live there. Crime is a bit higher than some of their less-crowded neighboring communities but is considerably safer and quieter than cities like Bridgeport. If you research the statistics even a town like East Hartford, that often gets a negative reputation, is below the national statistics for overall crime in general.

East Hartford 06108 crime rates and crime statistics - Neighborhood Scout

[JayCT]

mlassoff - I am interested in hearing your opinion of Rien;s. Some people love but my wife does not. She is use to real New York deli and we have struggled to find anything close to that herein the Hartford area. Some people rave about Rein's so I wondered what your thoughts are since you came from Westport and I am sure you have been to Gold's. Jay