[T_Puff1980]

I was born and raised in Northern California's Bay Area and I'm thinking about attending St Joseph College this Fall 2007. I already know about the college, just not the area itself. How is the area around St Joseph College? I would also like to know how the job market is there? I don't have my degree yet, but I have 6 years experience as a manager for a shipping company. How is the nightlife in Hartford? What is there to do there? I'm interested in theater/performing arts, sports (basketball), dancing, and music. Are there any nice apartments in West Hartford? I plan on living off campus. I plan on having my car shipped and I would like to live in a apartment community that has covered assigned parking and/or garages.

[skytrekker]

TPuff

St. Joe's is located in a good area in W. Hartford, near the Hartford border. Adjacent to it is the University of Connecticut Law School.

The job market currently in greater Hartford is good, especially for health care, education, finance and engineering and specialized types of manufacturing.

Nightlife is not one of Hartford's bright points- but there are some good clubs, and the city is improving downtown. The best nightlife in New England is in Stamford , Boston and Providence- but do not expect it to be like San Francisco.

Hartford ranks high in the Arts, be it visual or performing. The vibrant music and arts scene defines the region's culture.
It has some fine art museums with great collections; The Wadsworth Museum is nationally renowned and The American Museum of Art in New Britain is excellent as well, and one of the best in the nation.

Arts and Cultural Venues include

The Hartford Stage Company,
Connecticut Opera is the sixth oldest professional opera company in America.
Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Hartford Children’s Theater
Mark Twain House and Museum
Charter Oak Cultural Center,
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Artworks Gallery
Chamber Music PLUS
The Hill-Stead Museum
The Hartford Science Museum (A striking architectural venue) Under construction downtown

West Hartford is a very pleasant city of over 60,000, It has great center, with excellent restaurants, shops, and the new Blue Back Square- with new shops retail, condominiums.

There is a plethora of apartment choices in West Hartford and neighboring towns.

Sports in Connecticut is mostly collegiate- focused mainly on the University of Connecticut football and basketball
Minor league baseball, and hockey are also popular crowd pleaser's. In addition there is The Travelers St . Paul Open (Golf).
The state is split between the Yankees and Red Sox Nation.

Recreation wise CT has much to offer; Some fine beaches along the shoreline, hiking in many of the states beautiful forests,
Visiting wineries throughout the state, much in the way of history, Mystic sea life aquarium and Port, 2 hours from NYC a.5 hours to Boston, 1 plus hours to Providence, 2 hours to Cape Cod and the Islands. Vermont is 100 miles to the north.

Feel free to ask more. The biggest adjustment to a native Californian coming here is the weather/climate. Although relatively mild here, it is not the mild temperate Mediterranean balmy/sunny weather of coastal California. Seasons are still distinct here. Summers also may be unpleasant at times with high humidity and heat. We have 3 months of possible winter conditions- with cold and snow.

Housing costs are much lower here -if you want to purchase a condo or home- rents will be slightly less. Traffic will be much less. Also if you plan to establish residency here- autos are taxed yearly by the town you reside in.

[JayCT]

skytrekker - Good response. The only thing is that the UConn Law School moved out of West Hartford to the old Hartford Seminary campus in Hartford in 1984. The West Hartford campus is now a branch of UConn.

I guess the only thing I could add is to emphasize is that this is not San Francisco. Hartford is a small city which (IMHO) makes it very liveable. It is easy to get around and there are a lot of opportunities. Plus the big city (New York or Boston) are only a couple of hours drive away. Good luck. Jay

[skytrekker]

Thanks for the info Jay-did not know that

question? Is the UCONN School of social work still there- and the greater Hartford Campus of UCONN?

[sun]

Yes, I believe that both of them are. West Hartford has a gem of a downtown which is the most unique and vibrant one in the area. Hartford has its many problems and West Hartford is simply the other far side of the rainbow. Westfarms Mall and the surrounding area more than make up for the poverty problems Hartford has.
West Hartford residents have a much higher than average income and education level, and you will find many interesting things to do. There's several other colleges nearby offering diverse activities including sporting events, and the famous UConn Lady Huskies are a short ride away whether they are playing in Hartford or Storrs. There's also the Lady Hawks from the University of Hartford which is right next door to St. Joe's. About 7 miles away there is AA baseball at the New Britain Stadium. And there's minor league hockey in Hartford. The area around St. Joe's is mostly single family homes and the Governors Mansion is only about 1 mile away with many exclusive homes. You couldn't have chosen a much nicer area to go to college.
The job market here is relatively strong, but the companies can be selective. There's many insurance corporations, retail establishments and career opportunities, but the marketplace is rather competitive. In general, the number of opportunites is more than adequate to find a job.

[uconn99]

Hartford night life continues to get better. There is actully quite a few bars in the Union Station area of downtown, you can actually bar hop easily.

There is a nice lounge/club in the old G Fox building that is really nice and has a NYC/LA atmosphere to it.

With the talk of NHL hockey returning to Hartford and the possibilty of a new arena being built, Hartford has more to offer than Providence from a night life standpoint IMO. Especially with Front street being built.

[T_Puff1980]

Thank you all for the info. You all have been very helpful. But I will have a lot more questions in a few. I'm flying out there to visit the campus next month.

[education_important]

We are thinking about moving to Hartford, CT area. We have to choose between two locations: Windsor and West Hartford. Good school is or top priority. Also we heard that housing cost in CT is skyrocketing especially in West Hartford. We are moving from NC. Any insight about housing cost will be helpful. Could you please share info about following 8 points in regards to these two cities?

West Hartford

1. Hosuing cost for 4 bed room , 2. 5 bath housr price.
2. Car insurance on: 2006 Camry and 2005 Honda mini van.
3. Property tax for per 100,000 home value.
4. In general school standard.
5. Best public school [ Middle, highschool ]
6. Crime rate.
7. Future job growth
8. Economy.

Windsor

1. Hosuing cost for 4 bed room , 2. 5 bath housr price.
2. Car insurance on: 2006 Camry and 2005 Honda mini van.
3. Property tax for per 100,000 home value.
4. In general school standard.
5. Best public school [ Middle, highschool ]
6. Crime rate.
7. Future job growth
8. Economy.

[skytrekker]

Dear Educated

Windsor and West Hartford are part of metro Hartford; hence basically their employment economies will be the same. With most jobs in Insurance, finance, Health care, Education, IT and social services especially for the elderly.

Of course there are differences in each town at a micro level.
Housing is more costly in West Hartford- but in both towns prices have stopped rising and may have dropped 5-7%
West Hartford center is A very attractive and desirable place to shop, eat and relax.

West Hartford has various neighborhoods; some higher priced then the other. A 4 bedroom home 2.5 baths will start around 300K. Taxes will be around $3,750+

Windsor has some not so good areas as one approaches the Hartford border , however the north end of town has some nice neighborhoods with housing prices below West Hartford and a lower tax burden.

For exact tax rates contact each towns assessors office for mill rates.

Auto's are taxed in all towns here. West Hartford will be highest
A 2006 Camry around $ 450 and the Honda over $325
Windsor will be a bit lower.

West Hartford has a far better school system. I worked in the Windsor system and it was plagued with many problems.

Of the two High Schools in West Hartford, Hall is said to be the best. West Hartford has one of the best systems in the state.

Crime rate will be lower in West Hartford then Windsor.
Future job growth is an intangible that is difficult to predict. Many factors will determine this- some local and more factors nationally.

Metro Hartford has a stable economy- with sustainable growth that has not over heated in any sector.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by education_important

We are thinking about moving to Hartford, CT area. We have to choose between two locations: Windsor and West Hartford. Good school is or top priority.

If schools are as important as you say, West Hartford is much better rated than Windsor. Windsor schools are good but West Hartford's are excellent. You will pay more for a home in West Hartford because the schools are considered to be so good. Either high school in WH is excellent. Jay