Commute Between West Hartford and New Haven (Fairfield, Milford: low crime, home)

Perumexican · 08-19-2011, 08:51 PM

Hello folks,

I have a very good shot at getting a job in New Haven, CT. The problem is I'd rather not live there. West Hartford seems like the place to be. How bad is traffic south on the 91 in the mornings? I imagine more traffic would be coming toward Hartford in the mornings than would be leaving it. Would I be going against the flow of traffic in both the morning and the evening? I'm currently in NC and I do a 40-mile commute that takes 44 minutes. No traffic to speak of. But I'm from L.A., so I know how 40 miles could turn into 2 1/2 hours.

Speaking of being from L.A., would I end up telecommuting a lot in the winters because of the snow or is the 91 pretty much always passable unless there's some sort of blizzard?

Thanks!

Stylo · 08-19-2011, 11:24 PM

What's wrong with New Haven? If you find a nice neighborhood it can be just as rewarding as West Hartford. The only disadvantage would be schools if you have kids.

Anyway, not the worst commute, but pretty bad. You will get traffic. You're looking at an hour on an average day. If there's snow, could be 90 minutes.

I guess my big question is, why? West Hartford is great and all, but I just don't think it's worth that commute when there are really nice options in the New Haven area. What about West Hartford is attracting you?

Milford has a very nice downtown as well (not as big, but very active), is safe, around the same cost of living and has lots of beaches which West Hartford doesn't. It's a short commute into New Haven and you have the Metro North train as a commute option, as well as a way to get into NYC. It would be a much better option than WH for a New Haven commute. My 2nd choice would be Branford (2nd because not as many beaches, train system not as robust, and less active downtown/shopping/restaurants). This is assuming you want something like WH.

Perumexican · 08-20-2011, 04:59 AM

Thanks, mkiv808. Actually, I do have kids and the older one is starting kindergarten next week. My wife stays at home, and it seems like my family would have a lot more fun after school and in the summers in West Hartford.

After posting here last night, I came across the Milford school ratings and was impressed. I also looked at the home prices and, yes, there are some good buys like in West Hartford. Thanks for filling me in on the commute and letting me know about Branford, I'll check that out.

Tetto · 08-20-2011, 06:16 AM

The commute from West Hartford to New Haven is fine in the morning. Getting through Hartford will be tricky, but you'll learn how to time that. I commute to New Haven every morning; meet my carpool in Glastonbury and get on 91 via rt 3. It takes me 35-40 minutes to get there. Traffic is rarely a problem on 91 south in the morning; luckily, most of the traffic seems to be going the opposite direction!

mikelizard860 · 08-20-2011, 07:38 AM

Go 9 south to 91S

Stylo · 08-20-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perumexican

Thanks, mkiv808. Actually, I do have kids and the older one is starting kindergarten next week. My wife stays at home, and it seems like my family would have a lot more fun after school and in the summers in West Hartford.

After posting here last night, I came across the Milford school ratings and was impressed. I also looked at the home prices and, yes, there are some good buys like in West Hartford. Thanks for filling me in on the commute and letting me know about Branford, I'll check that out.

OK, yeah. Then you definitely don't want to live in New Haven.

Check out some of the shoreline towns near New Haven, they all have nice town centers (some more substantial than others). Guilford and Madison both have some the highest rated schools in the state. Woodbridge and Orange do too, which are near Milford.

brandonfromseattle · 08-21-2011, 10:34 AM

I'm new in town and was absolutely not impressed with West Hartford. There are cool and cute small towns near that coast that are much better than WH and it would cut down on the commute so much.

Stylo · 08-21-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonfromseattle

I'm new in town and was absolutely not impressed with West Hartford. There are cool and cute small towns near that coast that are much better than WH and it would cut down on the commute so much.

What didn't impress you? I prefer the shoreline towns myself, because that's my style and I don't like being inland. But West Hartford has a nice downtown with good shopping and restaurants, one of the best in CT, good schools, low crime, nice parks. It wouldn't be somehow I would personally live, but I think it's easy to see its appeal?

7 Wishes · 08-22-2011, 06:33 AM

There are lots of great towns near New Haven (I'll just give a couple; Woodbridge, Orange, Branford). There's no need to commute 30-40 miles away, it's not like West Hartford will be much if any cheaper (the incentive for those who work in lower Fairfield County to have long commutes). Good luck!

brandonfromseattle · 08-22-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkiv808

What didn't impress you? I prefer the shoreline towns myself, because that's my style and I don't like being inland. But West Hartford has a nice downtown with good shopping and restaurants, one of the best in CT, good schools, low crime, nice parks. It wouldn't be somehow I would personally live, but I think it's easy to see its appeal?

West Hartford is not terrible, but it is not special and it is absolutely not worth a commute just to be in WH. Suburban walking centers with national chains mixed with local upscale shops are becoming a dime a dozen all over the USA.

When my family comes and visits I will take them to Bushnell Park, Jamacian food, downtown nightlife, and a few other places out of town but WH is not great at all.