[mels]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Bridgeport. It's in a great location and just can't seem to get any momentum, and has been plagued with corruption and poverty for decades. It's probably got the most post-industrial blight and brownfields in the state as well. That decay is very visible from 95, worsening its image. Yes, there's some good things about Bridgeport, but it doesn't outweigh the bad. Sadly, I was there downtown a few weekends ago and it was pretty dead. At least Hartford is making some progress downtown with some new restaurants and theaters. New Haven is absolutely vibrant in comparison (and has more interesting architecture and bones). Even the bad parts in Bridgeport seem more blighted than the bad parts of New Haven for some reason.

I agree on all counts, Stylo, which is why I voted for Bridgeport too. New Haven has some bad areas like all urban places but the good far outweighs the bad. Waterbury is depressed and ugly but the crime doesn't justify the honor of being CT's "worst city". New London has its issues too but they just don't rival other cities in the crime department.

To me this was really more of a Bridgeport vs. Hartford poll. While Hartford does have its problems, they are making strides downtown, people are actually renting the apartments that keep going up (I now know several who happily live downtown!), Front Street is finally coming along, etc. Granted other neighborhoods like the north end are like war zones but at least you can see some progress.

[kidyankee764]

I'm not sure why Waterbury got so many votes. There are actually many very nice, middle class sections of Waterbury. Plus, their crime rate isn't even close to Bridgeport, Hartford or New Haven.

And Stylo, the bad parts of New Haven are absolutely just as bad as Bridgeport. Lets not give New Haven a free pass when we all know the ghettos there are some of the worst in the country.

[JayCT]

Sorry but I have to go with Waterbury here. Hartford's crime is mostly restricted to one or two areas. It is the states largest employment center and has the most impressive skyline. Bridgeport has some very nice neighborhoods like Black Rock and the North End plus it has some pretty stunning parks. Also I do not find its skyline to be that bad. I am not sure what nep is talking about.

New Haven has a great downtown, Yale and some very nice neighborhoods. New Lonndon is small and virtually unnoticeable. This is why my vote went to Waterbury. Jay

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I'm not sure why Waterbury got so many votes. There are actually many very nice, middle class sections of Waterbury. Plus, their crime rate isn't even close to Bridgeport, Hartford or New Haven.

And Stylo, the bad parts of New Haven are absolutely just as bad as Bridgeport. Lets not give New Haven a free pass when we all know the ghettos there are some of the worst in the country.

New Haven would be Bridgeport without Yale, no doubt about it.

Why are New Britain and Meriden not on the list?

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

New Haven would be Bridgeport without Yale, no doubt about it.

Why are New Britain and Meriden not on the list?

I wanted to keep the list small. In retrospect, i probably should have selected New Britain instead of New London.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I'm not sure why Waterbury got so many votes. There are actually many very nice, middle class sections of Waterbury. Plus, their crime rate isn't even close to Bridgeport, Hartford or New Haven.

And Stylo, the bad parts of New Haven are absolutely just as bad as Bridgeport. Lets not give New Haven a free pass when we all know the ghettos there are some of the worst in the country.

I guess our viewpoints are in agreement. Waterbury with more votes than New Haven?

[Raider111]

They all have some nice areas, but Bridgeport all the way, and it will never ever ever ever get better, never.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

And Stylo, the bad parts of New Haven are absolutely just as bad as Bridgeport. Lets not give New Haven a free pass when we all know the ghettos there are some of the worst in the country.

I did not mean crime/poverty-wise, just appearance. I've been to the worst sections of both cities, and for whatever reason the roads and buildings are in worse aesthetic condition in Bridgeport. There seem to be more derelict houses in Bridgeport too. That's not to say either are pretty.

I also agree Waterbury doesn't deserve all the bad attention. I think it's because it's so nondescript and offers so little. Yeah, Hartford and New Haven have far more crime, but they also have a lot more reasons to visit and points of pride for the state.

[Csiko]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

New Haven would be Bridgeport without Yale, no doubt about it.

Why are New Britain and Meriden not on the list?

This! I'd have voted for Meriden for sure.

Bridgeport comes close to second. I dunno though, Bridgeport now is what I expect Meriden to be in 10 years.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Csiko

This! I'd have voted for Meriden for sure.

Really?

So let me give you a hypothetical scenario here. Let's pretend you have a wife and 2 school aged kids and you are forced to choose between Meriden and Hartford. You can live in the "best" neighborhood, but you still must send your kids to the public schools. You would take Hartford? Or Bridgeport? Or New Haven?