[hvexpatinct]

I'd move to the Rochester area in a second if I weren't afraid of the economic situation there. Property taxes are high, but it's because the area has some of the best school systems in the entire country, and other factors of cost of living are moderate. Great healthcare, lots of natural beauty in the surrounding areas, and access to great state parks. Rochester is an interesting city - decent food and arts scene, kind of like NH in that it exists around the local colleges and that conditions can be vastly different from street to street.

Plus, Wegmans.

[JayCT]

Why would you go through the bother of selling your home in Fairfield to move to New Haven. I would find a job there first and then decide if you want to move closer. Plus I would think your GF would be more ammenable to New Haven than upstate New York. Jay

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by mels

My biggest beef with upstate NY is the weather. I am not even talking about the snow but the winter clouds. OH GOD, the clouds. It can be depressing. With lake affect snow comes lake affect clouds and I can't stand going a week or more without seeing sunshine, which happens routinely in upstate NY. At least in CT snow is usually followed by brilliant sunshine. Not so up there. Gray, gray, and more gray is pretty standard.

Edited to add: this has been my experience in the Syracuse area specifically (and Finger Lakes/Ithaca down to Binghamton). I won't speak for Buffalo, where I have never spent any long period of time.

True - when I was in school in Rochester that one year, there were a couple of guys from the Binghamton area that would brag how their town was the least sunny place in America.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

I'm confused as to why the OP would sell his house in Fairfield where he has access to several strong employment markets (NYC, Stamford, New Haven). Certainly a better location than upstate NY. You can certainly work and dine in NH while living in Fairfield. Moving to NH would be a huge drop in QOL/safety as well.

Weird post.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by BPt111

New Haven-Wooster Square, East Rock, Morris Cove


Look into Hartford County It is cheaper than Fairfield County and less boring FFC is boring

I agree, from first hand experience. As if Hartford County wasn't boring enough, sadly, FFC is even more boring. Far less shopping centers, far less outdoor venues (i.e. hiking, rivers, tubing, Six Flags nearby, etc.). Hartford County also has a stronger college presence, with UConn, UHart, CCSU, etc. Hartford County has some nice shopping centers such as Buckland Hills, West Farms, Evergreen Walk, Canton Shoppes, etc. And Hartford County has a very good int'l airport; FFC has none.

Living in FFC over the past year, I'm extremely bored beyond belief. There are no hiking places that are open to the general public. I have to travel out to other counties or NY just to do that. It's ridiculous.

Also, the assortment of towns in Hartford County is superior IMO. There is a more even distribution of upper class vs. middle class vs. lower class cities and towns. More of a mix between white collar and blue collar people. in FFC, most of the towns are upper class and white collar, with a few trite lower class cities. So, there's a larger variety of vibes within the county. But 90% of FFC feels like old money NIMBY, keeping up with Jones obsessed families who brag about which college their kids are going to (I see it here at work all the time). And I get beeped at like twice a week! In the Hartford area I got beeped at maybe once every two years. Can't STAND it!!!

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by nep321

I agree, from first hand experience. As if Hartford County wasn't boring enough, sadly, FFC is even more boring. Far less shopping centers, far less outdoor venues (i.e. hiking, rivers, tubing, Six Flags nearby, etc.). Hartford County also has a stronger college presence, with UConn, UHart, CCSU, etc. Hartford County has some nice shopping centers such as Buckland Hills, West Farms, Evergreen Walk, Canton Shoppes, etc. And Hartford County has a very good int'l airport; FFC has none.

Living in FFC over the past year, I'm extremely bored beyond belief. There are no hiking places that are open to the general public. I have to travel out to other counties or NY just to do that. It's ridiculous.

Also, the assortment of towns in Hartford County is superior IMO. There is a more even distribution of upper class vs. middle class vs. lower class cities and towns. More of a mix between white collar and blue collar people. in FFC, most of the towns are upper class and white collar, with a few trite lower class cities. So, there's a larger variety of vibes within the county. But 90% of FFC feels like old money NIMBY, keeping up with Jones obsessed families who brag about which college their kids are going to (I see it here at work all the time). And I get beeped at like twice a week! In the Hartford area I got beeped at maybe once every two years. Can't STAND it!!!

Fairfield County cities are boring sadly.

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by nep321

I agree, from first hand experience. As if Hartford County wasn't boring enough, sadly, FFC is even more boring. Far less shopping centers, far less outdoor venues (i.e. hiking, rivers, tubing, Six Flags nearby, etc.). Hartford County also has a stronger college presence, with UConn, UHart, CCSU, etc. Hartford County has some nice shopping centers such as Buckland Hills, West Farms, Evergreen Walk, Canton Shoppes, etc. And Hartford County has a very good int'l airport; FFC has none.

Living in FFC over the past year, I'm extremely bored beyond belief. There are no hiking places that are open to the general public. I have to travel out to other counties or NY just to do that. It's ridiculous.

Also, the assortment of towns in Hartford County is superior IMO. There is a more even distribution of upper class vs. middle class vs. lower class cities and towns. More of a mix between white collar and blue collar people. in FFC, most of the towns are upper class and white collar, with a few trite lower class cities. So, there's a larger variety of vibes within the county. But 90% of FFC feels like old money NIMBY, keeping up with Jones obsessed families who brag about which college their kids are going to (I see it here at work all the time). And I get beeped at like twice a week! In the Hartford area I got beeped at maybe once every two years. Can't STAND it!!!

Some observations:

There are numerous hiking places open to the general public in FFC.
Devil's Den Preserve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wooster Mountain State Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.wiltonct.org/departments/...townforest.pdf
DEEP: Connecticut State Parks and Forests

UConn is in Storrs, which is in Tolland county.

FFC has its fair share of colleges, including WCSU, SHU, Fairfield U and UB.

Keeping up with the Joneses is well and alive in any affluent town in CT, be it New Canaan, Madison or Avon.

I can't help you with the beeping. Maybe drive faster?

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

Some observations:

There are numerous hiking places open to the general public in FFC.
Devil's Den Preserve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wooster Mountain State Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.wiltonct.org/departments/...townforest.pdf
DEEP: Connecticut State Parks and Forests

UConn is in Storrs, which is in Tolland county.

FFC has its fair share of colleges, including WCSU, SHU, Fairfield U and UB.

Keeping up with the Joneses is well and alive in any affluent town in CT, be it New Canaan, Madison or Avon.

I can't help you with the beeping. Maybe drive faster?

9 Hiking Places in FFC

19 hiking places in Hartford County
Find Walking and Hiking Trails in Connecticut

CCS, Charter Oak State College, University of Connecticut School of Law, Goodwin College, Hartford Seminary, University of Hartford, The Hartt School, University of Saint Joseph, trinity college

9-10 Colleges in Hartford County
4 in Fairfield County

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by BPt111

9 Hiking Places in FFC

19 hiking places in Hartford County
Find Walking and Hiking Trails in Connecticut

CCS, Charter Oak State College, University of Connecticut School of Law, Goodwin College, Hartford Seminary, University of Hartford, The Hartt School, University of Saint Joseph, trinity college

9-10 Colleges in Hartford County
4 in Fairfield County

I am not going to argue with you but how many beaches does Hartford County have? Also how close is Hartford to New York City? Anyone who says Fairfield County is boring really needs to get out more. It sounds more like you are bored because you have lived there a long time. The good thing is there is a lot to do so close to you. Jay

[mels]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Anyone who says Fairfield County is boring really needs to get out more.

You can say that about most places in the country. nep can move, move, and move again, but everywhere he goes, there he is. I learned quickly after high school, which was the peak of my "this place is booooooring" phase, that generally it isn't the place, it's the person. I have lived in rural Vermont, Urban CT, semi-urban desert southwest, southeastern US, etc. and I always found things to do. I have complaints about each place, but "boring" never comes to mind.