[sevdie]

**I originally posted this on the New Hampshire Forum**

I am a Native New Yorker who currently lives in the midwest and would like to relocate to New England. My husband and I have no children and are very much into fine arts. We are looking for a quiet place that's more suburban than rural and far away from but still within driving distance to the cities. We want to live some place SAFE and small, near the beach (preferably the ocean) with lots of snow and mild summers. We want to own our own performing arts theater someday in a nearby city from where we would be living and would love to be able to commute to that city where residents would support the arts.
We are an interracial couple (AA and Latino) moving to NE from the midwest where it can sometimes be very bigoted. Are there any towns in CT with the qualities I listed above and where racism is not such a big problem? Please let me know. Any info at all would be greatly appreciated.

[Curious in CT]

I don't think you'll find a lot of bigotry here in CT. There's such a big mix of people here. However, I don't personally know what it's like to live near the shore. I grew up in the center of the state. I think a lot of the bigger cities in CT have more of a diverse group of people than some of the other rural areas. I don't think you'll have an issue either way. I think what people are more prejudice against here are the people who are trashy or don't respect others or themselves. I really don't think it's a race issue. People here have money so they expect others to be like them.

[sevdie]

Thanks for replying. It's good to know that there isnot a big issue with race either way. I did read another post by someone who said that CT natives consider any non CT native as a "foreigner" an that I may have a hard tiome making friends there. Is there any truth to this?

[winnie]

No, I would describe Maine as being hard to live in if you were not native to that state, but CT??? I think you would make friends just fine.

There is a lot of buzz about Groton, CT. It is a coastal town in SouthEast CT. My SIL lived there 4 years, military wife. It has been ranked a good city to live in and to be honest I never really paid much attention to the reasons WHY everyone on MSNBC was making such a hoot about New London, Groton area. You might want to check it out.

There are few places that you are going to find outright bigotry in Mass, CT or RI. Maybe in some teeny town out in the middle of nowhere you might find someone that is really honestly intending to be nasty but this ain't the midwest LOL! If you are nice to people up here and carry yourself in a dignified, respectful manner, chances are very good that people around here will treat you in the same manner.

How close to the beach would you like to be???

[sevdie]

A few minutes driving distance (10-15 mins) to the beach is just fine. Thank God, NE is not the midwest!! LOL I will check out the New London Groton area. Thanks.

[Dragondog]

Progressive towns in Connecticut of course are the larger cities- however Communities like Wethersfield, New Britain, West Hartford, Bloomfield, Windsor, Manchester (Hartford area) are diverse, with AA Latino, Asian and gay enclaves. New London-Groton along the southeast coast is very pleasant and diverse as well. Middletown, along the CT river at mid state has a wonderful downtown, and is where Wesleyn University is located.

People in Connecticut tend to ignore others be they of a different color or orientation- and go about their own business. Its one of the most progressive states in the country.

[sevdie]

Cool! Maybe I need to take another look at CT then. Thanks for taking the time to answer my question!

[glxyman21]

I would suggest looking at the town of Old Saybrook, its a very nice looking ocean side town. Housing isn't that expensive (as long as you're buying in land) Crime is low, and its close to the cities of Middletown, new london, and New Haven

[sevdie]

Really? Are the people there tolerant of other races?

[Dragondog]

Old Saybrook-home of movie icon at Fenwick (born in Hartford) Katie Hepburn is tolerant- athough I feel housing costs are high. Racism in Connecticut is minimal- as is homphobia. As much as I think Old Saybrook is an attractive area-I still think New London/Groton/Mystic have more to offer, and it is less $$$-with more diversity.