[HartfordboundChE]

Any Hartford experts want to give me their opinions on where to live?? I will be working in East Hartford. Ideally my commute to work be under 15-20 min.

I just got done with grad school and looking for a younger, more urban/active scene with a few decent pubs and restaurants within walking distance. Looking for a 1BR apt / loft in the 1000-1300 range. Is the downtown area around the XL Center and the park safe? What about the west-end or even West Hartford? Where else should I consider? How about Manchester, west side?

Thanks!

[JayCT]

Keeping your commute to 15 or 20 minutes during rush hour kind of eliminates West Hartford and maybe the West End. Traffic through downtown Hartford can be bad so I don't think you can do it in that time unless your commute is outside the normal rush hour.

Downtown is safe and offers the urban environment you are looking for and is very close to East Hartford. Manchester too would be an option but it does not really offer the lifestyle you want. Still you would not be far from nightlife. Out side of rush hour, Hartford is pretty easy to get around in. Jay

[HartfordboundChE]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Keeping your commute to 15 or 20 minutes during rush hour kind of eliminates West Hartford and maybe the West End. Traffic through downtown Hartford can be bad so I don't think you can do it in that time unless your commute is outside the normal rush hour.

Downtown is safe and offers the urban environment you are looking for and is very close to East Hartford. Manchester too would be an option but it does not really offer the lifestyle you want. Still you would not be far from nightlife. Out side of rush hour, Hartford is pretty easy to get around in. Jay

Jay,

Thanks. I would be willing to increase commute time if the location is good. The link below has some of the apartments I thought looked decent in the Downtown, west end, and Manchester areas. Can you comment on any of these areas.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?gl=us...2117ca649&z=12

[ctwhitechin]

we moved from NY to GLastonbury CT several years ago, you can't go wrong w/Glastonbury, one of the most desirable towns in Ct to live in as far as safety, reputation, etc etc. Also it borders East Hartford. Good shopping, good restaurants, etc etc. Apartments I'm not too sure of there are several complexes but Im not 100% sure on rents, maybe $900-1000 for a 1 bedroom?

Anyway, worth a look for you, I would rather live here than in Manchester hands down.

[nep321]

West Hartford center area is probably the best place for what you want. However, the commute would be about 15 min. assuming no traffic. IMO, I would just deal with it, because there isn't really another place like it. You could just drive down Farmington Ave in Hartford and hop on I-84 east for like 1 mile just to cross the river, and it won't be THAT bad. It might add 5-10 min to the commute.

[HartfordboundChE]

Originally Posted by ctwhitechin

we moved from NY to GLastonbury CT several years ago, you can't go wrong w/Glastonbury, one of the most desirable towns in Ct to live in as far as safety, reputation, etc etc. Also it borders East Hartford. Good shopping, good restaurants, etc etc. Apartments I'm not too sure of there are several complexes but Im not 100% sure on rents, maybe $900-1000 for a 1 bedroom?

Anyway, worth a look for you, I would rather live here than in Manchester hands down.

Thanks. I'm having a hard time finding much in Glastonbury. The only apartment that fits my search (W/D, cat friendly, 1 BR) is really expensive.

Originally Posted by nep321

West Hartford center area is probably the best place for what you want. However, the commute would be about 15 min. assuming no traffic. IMO, I would just deal with it, because there isn't really another place like it. You could just drive down Farmington Ave in Hartford and hop on I-84 east for like 1 mile just to cross the river, and it won't be THAT bad. It might add 5-10 min to the commute.

I couldn't find much in the way of apartments around the city center of west hartford which is a bummer because it seems like a lot of people like living there...

[nep321]

Originally Posted by HartfordboundChE

Thanks. I'm having a hard time finding much in Glastonbury. The only apartment that fits my search (W/D, cat friendly, 1 BR) is really expensive.



I couldn't find much in the way of apartments around the city center of west hartford which is a bummer because it seems like a lot of people like living there...

The other option would be Middletown, if You dont mind a 25-30 min. commute, assuming no traffic. It has a very big walkable downtown and many young people. If you must be within walking distance of the downtown, you would probably have to look on Craigslist to rent a unit in an old building or something. There's no new apartments near the downtown.

Honestly, it's a little much to ask for having a nice apartment near a safe, walkable downtown and be within a 20-min. commute. The only choice would literally be West Hartford center. And by the way, it's very expensive. You would definitely be paying over $1,000 for a mediocre 1-br.

Or....you might be able to find something affordable in East Hartford's downtown area. But, it's not the most desirable area.

[ctwhitechin]

this place is literally around the corner from my house, not sure if they take cats but they are only 2 years old or so. Glastonbury to me anyway is more desirable than Middletown, we lived in an apt in middletown the first couple of months we moved to CT before we settled in Glastonbury, we were NOT HAPPY in Middletown, many safety concerns, break ins at night in cars, etc etc. Glastonbury is very nice.

Addison Mill Apartments

[HartfordboundChE]

Originally Posted by ctwhitechin

this place is literally around the corner from my house, not sure if they take cats but they are only 2 years old or so. Glastonbury to me anyway is more desirable than Middletown, we lived in an apt in middletown the first couple of months we moved to CT before we settled in Glastonbury, we were NOT HAPPY in Middletown, many safety concerns, break ins at night in cars, etc etc. Glastonbury is very nice.

Addison Mill Apartments

Yeah, I was looking at those. They are very nice but pretty expensive.

What about the Manchester area by the mall or the west side? There are several options around those areas.

What about Downtown Hartford close to the XL center and the park? There are a lot of nice apartments around there and it is close to where I'm going to work.

Where do a lot of younger unmarried professional live?

[nep321]

[quote=HartfordboundChE;17958873]Yeah, I was looking at those. They are very nice but pretty expensive.

What about the Manchester area by the mall or the west side? There are several options around those areas.

What about Downtown Hartford close to the XL center and the park? There are a lot of nice apartments around there and it is close to where I'm going to work.

Where do a lot of younger unmarried professional live?[/quote]

Virtually any apartment complex in Manchester or Middletown.