[lisakevin]

I know CT is not a cheap place to live in, however the minimum wage is higher than the federal, and higher than where I live now. So where do you think the cheapest rentals are in safe areas and not too far from any big city for jobs.

[JayCT]

The lowest rents near major employment centers would probably be in the cities themselves. But I doubt the rents are low enough to make it worthwhile unless they are in unsafe areas. You could check some of the smaller cities which are not quite as unsafe as larger cities. Some towns may be Bristol, Norwich, Torrington, New London, Thompson and Plainfield. Jay

[Stylo]

Waterbury/Naugatuck is pretty inexpensive and not far from major cities.

Parts of eastern CT are a bit more isolated from major cities, but are the cheapest spots in the state. Generally, the closer to a major city/employment center, the more expensive.

If you're only looking for minimum wage type employment, you can find that nearly anywhere with a halfway decent population in this state.

[mikelizard860]

The 395 corridor from Moosup up to putnam in the middle of nowhere halfway between hartford and providence is generally the cheapest in the state.

[mikelizard860]

Originally Posted by JayCT

The lowest rents near major employment centers would probably be in the cities themselves. But I doubt the rents are low enough to make it worthwhile unless they are in unsafe areas. You could check some of the smaller cities which are not quite as unsafe as larger cities. Some towns may be Bristol, Norwich, Torrington, New London, Thompson and Plainfield. Jay

New london has a ghetto. Crackheads wandering about. But as soon as you go out of that small really bad area near downtown, the rents go back up again!

[mikelizard860]

Even in the ghetto area's of a city like the frog hollow section of Hartford, they want 650-700 bucks a month for your average ghetto one bedroom.
Then add in cable/internet(100 bucks), electricity, and heat/hot water if it's not included. You're looking at around 900-950 bucks a month. Absolutely ABSURD!
I really have no idea where they find the people that would rent a place for that amount of money in a horrific area. You'd have to have 2 or 3 minimum wages jobs to afford that. Have to work 100 hours a week. haha

30% of income as a general rule for housing

THe price of rent in Plainville is probably slightly cheaper than in the Hartford ghetto. Try to wrap your mind around that one.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by mikelizard860

THe price of rent in Plainville is probably slightly cheaper than in the Hartford ghetto. Try to wrap your mind around that one.

That applies for pretty much everywhere in the state. The reason for the disparity is because you'll find a greater availability of Section 8 apartments, along with better public transit systems in the cities compared to the suburbs.

[mikelizard860]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

That applies for pretty much everywhere in the state. The reason for the disparity is because you'll find a greater availability of Section 8 apartments, along with better public transit systems in the cities compared to the suburbs.

Not true. Look at Rocky hill/glastonbury rental rates compared to hartford. 1k average in rocky hill for a 1 bedroom. Many suburban towns don't even have apt buildings or very few of them. Look at South windsor for an example. For some odd reason, plainville is cheaper than rocky hill.
Also, if you're on a minimum wage service job you're going to need to have multiple jobs that will be in multiple locations probably outside the city in the suburbs, therefore making a car a 100% neccessity thanks to a lack of public transit service/hours and HORRIBLE urban planning that makes everything spread out.

[mikelizard860]

And most section 8 apartments are vouchers nowadays that can be taken anywhere. Waiting lists are incredibly LONG.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by mikelizard860

Not true. Look at Rocky hill/glastonbury rental rates compared to hartford. 1k average in rocky hill for a 1 bedroom. Many suburban towns don't even have apt buildings or very few of them. Look at South windsor for an example. For some odd reason, plainville is cheaper than rocky hill.
Also, if you're on a minimum wage service job you're going to need to have multiple jobs that will be in multiple locations probably outside the city in the suburbs, therefore making a car a 100% neccessity thanks to a lack of public transit service/hours and HORRIBLE urban planning that makes everything spread out.

Originally Posted by mikelizard860

And most section 8 apartments are vouchers nowadays that can be taken anywhere. Waiting lists are incredibly LONG.

And again, the number of Section 8 welcome apartments within the cities greatly outnumbers the percentage of apartments in the suburbs that will accept Section 8. This drives up the rents within a city.

JayCT, you're a landlord. Help me explain this a little better.