[random83274]

I originally posted here a few months ago:
//www.city-data.com/forum/conne...icut-help.html

I'm coming from Dallas. I love it there. It has everything I want in an urban setting with 100s of restaurants/bars, but there's countless suburbs that I can drive to on a whim and find something on a drop of a hat. I'm in my late 20s, single, male.

My company is relocating me for my job in the Hartford area. I generally need to be in the general Hartford area probably on a busy week about 3-4 times a week for the most part, and there will be probably many weeks I will probably only need to be in 1-2x a week. I can telecommute the rest of the time.

That said, needing to stay within a 30 minute commute (driving) is not absolutely necessary and I'm willing to live in a reasonable distance (50-75 miles) if necessary so I don't go crazy from boredom. This is especially true after this past week I've been here for work and finally checking out what the towns in the area have to offer.

Now, I'm not extremely needy by any means. I lived in Syracuse a few years, and it was fine. The downtown (Armory Square) was great, and it had tons to offer. It had a great nightlife scene where everything was in a safe walking area. It had food all around town that didn't take long at all to find anything new to eat/drink without the need to use Yelp/Foursquare to find anything. Prior to going there for school, I heard a bunch of bad things but it turned out to be awesome. I was thinking Hartford would be the same. Unfortunately, it isn't turning out to be that case. I spent the whole day exploring between Hartford and New Haven, and all I found was depressed and run down suburbs. Everyone I spoke with in Hartford said, "West Hartford has great stuff."

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong spot, but the Blue Black Square that seems to be the only thing is really just a few local shops and a bar or 2. The Irish bar is nice, but it'll get old extremely fast I can tell. The square/town center seems like it could be great, but coming from Dallas it is really nothing more than a strip mall that appears like a nightlife spot (minus any actual nightlife). Is this the biggest citywalk and congregation of young professionals in CT (except for the NYC suburb towns)? I drove through New Haven, and it seemed to live up to its reputation of what I heard about that Yale is gorgeous and everywhere else is a dump.

I know a long commute may be a little stressful or possibly a little pricier for gas, but really I just can't see myself going 'home' to a duplex built in 1920 and counting down the days every day until I can make it down to NYC for the weekend, or get out of town on business. It's extremely disheartening when all I can read online or hear from people locally is they can't wait to move out of the state. I was just sitting at a burger place, and I overheard the waiters talking to each other about how much they can't wait to get out.

[hartford_renter]

Have you calculated the extra taxes you will pay in ct?

Jesus just promise to vote republican

[mlassoff]

First off, please note that there are hundreds of thousands of people who are very happy here and have no plans to leave. I lived in Austin for 15 years before returning to Connecticut and could not be happier.

That having been said, it's not the greatest place for nightlife.

As far as restaurants goes, however, Connecticut is not big on chains with recognizable names from Dallas-- if that's what you're looking for, you're going to be disappointed. There are hundreds upon hundreds of local places that you've never heard of that serve excellent food of every variety and every price range. If you want to get some real Connecticut flavor try Pepe's or Sally's in New Haven for Pizza. In Hartford try Carbone's. Go to the coast to Noank in the spring and have a lobster at Abbott's. This state is TEEMING with good food. You don't even have to look hard.

For a social scene you basically have West Hartford, Hartford, New Haven and Middletown. THere are a number of bars in each area each with a different flavor. I'm not a bar person myself, so I'll let someone else comment on this and help guide you. We don't have an area like Deep Ellum and, in general, you can expect more intimate, quieter experiences.

There are a number of meetup groups for newcomers, younger people and socializing. HYPE, which is part of the Downtown Hartford Alliance I believe is an active group of young professionals with frequent happy hours.

I think the best adviceI can give is not to attempt to recreate Dallas here-- This is a different place with different values, lifestyles, strengths and weaknesses. Look to have the best experience you can here, not an experience you really would better have somewhere else.

Good luck! And for the record, I don't care how you vote.

Originally Posted by random83274

I originally posted here a few months ago:
//www.city-data.com/forum/conne...icut-help.html

I'm coming from Dallas. I love it there. It has everything I want in an urban setting with 100s of restaurants/bars, but there's countless suburbs that I can drive to on a whim and find something on a drop of a hat. I'm in my late 20s, single, male.

My company is relocating me for my job in the Hartford area. I generally need to be in the general Hartford area probably on a busy week about 3-4 times a week for the most part, and there will be probably many weeks I will probably only need to be in 1-2x a week. I can telecommute the rest of the time.

That said, needing to stay within a 30 minute commute (driving) is not absolutely necessary and I'm willing to live in a reasonable distance (50-75 miles) if necessary so I don't go crazy from boredom. This is especially true after this past week I've been here for work and finally checking out what the towns in the area have to offer.

Now, I'm not extremely needy by any means. I lived in Syracuse a few years, and it was fine. The downtown (Armory Square) was great, and it had tons to offer. It had a great nightlife scene where everything was in a safe walking area. It had food all around town that didn't take long at all to find anything new to eat/drink without the need to use Yelp/Foursquare to find anything. Prior to going there for school, I heard a bunch of bad things but it turned out to be awesome. I was thinking Hartford would be the same. Unfortunately, it isn't turning out to be that case. I spent the whole day exploring between Hartford and New Haven, and all I found was depressed and run down suburbs. Everyone I spoke with in Hartford said, "West Hartford has great stuff."

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong spot, but the Blue Black Square that seems to be the only thing is really just a few local shops and a bar or 2. The Irish bar is nice, but it'll get old extremely fast I can tell. The square/town center seems like it could be great, but coming from Dallas it is really nothing more than a strip mall that appears like a nightlife spot (minus any actual nightlife). Is this the biggest citywalk and congregation of young professionals in CT (except for the NYC suburb towns)? I drove through New Haven, and it seemed to live up to its reputation of what I heard about that Yale is gorgeous and everywhere else is a dump.

I know a long commute may be a little stressful or possibly a little pricier for gas, but really I just can't see myself going 'home' to a duplex built in 1920 and counting down the days every day until I can make it down to NYC for the weekend, or get out of town on business. It's extremely disheartening when all I can read online or hear from people locally is they can't wait to move out of the state. I was just sitting at a burger place, and I overheard the waiters talking to each other about how much they can't wait to get out.

[Mike 75]

Run down suburbs? What towns were you looking at?
I lived in West Hartford right after college and found there was plenty of activity. Plenty of bars, restaurants and the like in West Hartford Center, on Park Road and on Prospect. Plus Hartford was always an option, although not necessarily a great one. And that was before Blue Back.

[random83274]

I just keep hearing areas to check out, and I am. However, I'm not finding anything besides small shops that close at 7. If I was married and had kids, these would be great places. However being still relatively young and not knowing anyone, I just can't seem to picture anywhere with a social scene.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

Run down suburbs? What towns were you looking at?
I lived in West Hartford right after college and found there was plenty of activity. Plenty of bars, restaurants and the like in West Hartford Center, on Park Road and on Prospect. Plus Hartford was always an option, although not necessarily a great one. And that was before Blue Back.

I think coming from Dallas, it's easy to confuse run-down and just old.

Dallas has loads of new housing, new apartment communities and big box shopping built in the last 15 years. It gives the city a "newer" albeit cookie cutter appearance. Connecticut is much older and so is our building stock.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by random83274

I just keep hearing areas to check out, and I am. However, I'm not finding anything besides small shops that close at 7. If I was married and had kids, these would be great places. However being still relatively young and not knowing anyone, I just can't seem to picture anywhere with a social scene.

What types of things did you do in Dallas? If it's just "go to bars," that can't be replicated with the diversity of entertainment options here.

If you are just trying to meet people, there are loads of social groups to facilitate. Again, it's not Dallas. Enjoy some quiet evenings at home.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Maybe you would be better off living in MA closer to Boston?

[JayCT]

You say you lived in Syracuse and loved it but you think Connecticut is rundown??? From my experience, Syracuse is an old city just like Hartford and Nrw Haven. It has a lot to do but not much more than Nw HAven really. I do not know what you expect but I strongly suggest that you rethink coming here. It sounds like anything smaller than Dallas would bore you and that is not what you are going to find here. Jay

[Dallascaper]

Have you considered changing employers and finding another job in Dallas? Seriously, if you really like all that Dallas has to offer, I think you are going to have trouble acclimating to CT. Trust me, I know what I am talking about.