Connecticut and Massachusetts - Are they very similar?

[LexWest]

I personally like CT, and would rate it higher among my favorite New England states. I don't know why some think it's just "there", or that's it's more similar to NY. As far as I know, New Yorkers are the ones who think CT is just "there"...unless they're moving to thr NYC area, and can't afford Westchester.

I definitely agree there is an exaggeration in the differences. People in CT, eastern and northern CT especially, are just reserved and New Englandlike as MA. The real "transition" between New England and NY occurs around New Haven. That's when I notice the "rush/busyness", and other NYC influences.

MetroWest may be different than the shoreline of CT, however, "crowded/dense" isn't how I would describe it: Perhaps it's more "commercialized" and not as quaint, especially in Natick and Framingham. Certainly, there's more traffic; however, I'd attribute that to people travelling across the state, or one shore to the next: after all, the two main thoroughfares in MA (The [Mass]Pike, Rte. 128/I-95) intersect through MetroWest.

As far as having Yankee fans in CT, there are Yankee fans everywhere. Not all teams stick to a region.

[A Nonny Mouse]

I don't see any difference between northern CT and Western Mass. Looks/feels/drives exactly the same to me. I agree when you get to New Haven is when you start seeing more of a NY influence. I also agree that the main perceived difference (in people's minds) is that CT is full of stinkin' Yankees fans.

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by LexWest

I personally like CT, and would rate it higher among my favorite New England states. I don't know why some think it's just "there", or that's it's more similar to NY. As far as I know, New Yorkers are the ones who think CT is just "there"...unless they're moving to thr NYC area, and can't afford Westchester.

I definitely agree there is an exaggeration in the differences. People in CT, eastern and northern CT especially, are just reserved and New Englandlike as MA. The real "transition" between New England and NY occurs around New Haven. That's when I notice the "rush/busyness", and other NYC influences.

MetroWest may be different than the shoreline of CT, however, "crowded/dense" isn't how I would describe it: Perhaps it's more "commercialized" and not as quaint, especially in Natick and Framingham. Certainly, there's more traffic; however, I'd attribute that to people travelling across the state, or one shore to the next: after all, the two main thoroughfares in MA (The [Mass]Pike, Rte. 128/I-95) intersect through MetroWest.

As far as having Yankee fans in CT, there are Yankee fans everywhere. Not all teams stick to a region.

Exactly. Those who said that it's a "drive though state" need to get off the interstate and take a look around. Maybe people from New York think MA is a "drive through state". Maybe CT people who go to NH or Maine think MA is a "drive through state." Unbelievable.

I bet these are the same people who think there is nothing more to MA than the Boston area. heh heh--they've never been to Northampton or Deerfield MA. They've never been to Old Saybrook CT or Litchfield. Never been to Essex CT. Never been to a show at the Goodspeed Opera House. You really need to get out of Boston.

[western mass and love it]

To me Western Mass and Central/Northern Connecticut (probably down to Middletown area)are pretty much the same.

[New Englander 76]

I was born and raised in Northwestern Ct. Now live in Springfield area. Anyhow, another differentiating aspect about CT is the ancestral makeup of the state. Unlike our northern neighbor's residents which have a large Irish ancestry, CT is primarily Italian. Most of my friends from my childhood had Italian ancestry. Granted the founders of the state were puritans, but in the 1900s Italians started to move to the state in numbers. So there are few differences between the states. Still it is very traditional New England, except the lower Fairfield county area that is more in tuned to New York city. Ct is a very pretty state, with a drastic contrast between the dumpy industrial cities, and the quaint towns outside the city limits.

In addition CT is a much more expensive state to live. Much higher taxes, and property values overall than Mass. My parents left the state sometime ago because the property taxes had gone through the roof and they didn't live in a wealthy area. Granted they do have some excellent roads, and the public schools are well funded.