[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by Sigequinox

CT is not a very "masculine" state. Unless you like camping in your backyard, traveling to other states to hike and dating dudes who wear turtleneck sweaters under an argyle cardigan you may wish to continue your home search further north.

Could not disagree more.

Austin, TX is much more hipster- metro sexual than Connecticut.

[gadessa91]

Hartford is very Masculine, when it comes to masculinity I would choose hartford over new haven. I've been to new haven and have seen fems prowl the streets in hartford that is rare I've lived there and still hang out there

[Sigequinox]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

Could not disagree more.

Austin, TX is much more hipster- metro sexual than Connecticut.

I'm not denying that Austin has many dainty hipsters or preppy socialites, but it doesn't change that CT isn't "masculine". At first I was thinking, "Bronx", but the rest of his post makes me think he wants more "lumberjack". For the latter, I would recommend northern New England.

If it MUST be CT, I would say Hartford is the more "masculine" city, but I really don't find that to be an appropriate label.

If OP is young and single, I think he would be far better off in NH area as it is more lively and active. I'm not gay, so can't comment on the prospects of either city, but regardless the NH area seems better in a generic sense for a young single person.


ETA*** Didn't realize he mentioned in the first post that he has a job lined up already and there is no other state options...My vote would be NH for OP. Neither city is "masculine", so that's a wash, but New Haven has more to offer IMO.

[Lalalally]

I think a distinction needs to be drawn between masculine in the "outdoorsy" sense and masculine in the "rugged" sense. If the former, I think you can find that in just about any area of CT, as lots of men -- gay or straight - are into skiing, cycling, hiking, running, fishing, etc. If the latter...in New England...only remote parts of New Hampshire and Maine come to mind. : )

[elkco]

Thanks for the insight, I will be working in between Hartford and New Haven in northern Cheshire. So hopefully the commute isnt bad.... Google says 30 mins...

I am fresh out of college and know no one in CT at all, so from what I get from here is that New Haven would be a better fit for meeting young professionals like myself. Although, Ive heard from friends that Hartford has a lot of companies that bring in a lot of young professionals.
- it is quite the hard choice to decide

and just to say again... I am gay, but I do not do/enjoy the gay scene. Drag bars and feminine clubs do not appeal to me at all. If a gay sports bar existed I'd be there. haha and I grew up in a very unpopulated area - so CT is going to be a big culture shock in general when it comes to population size in such a small area. ha

[nep321]

The gay population in CT has sort of declined in recent years, as many have moved to other states like Texas or Florida. There are not a ton of masculine gays here, either. It's just like any other place. There are some, but not a whole lot.

The gay community in CT is very small and everyone knows everyone and has their clicks.

[GoHuskies]

Originally Posted by nep321

The gay population in CT has sort of declined in recent years, as many have moved to other states like Texas or Florida. There are not a ton of masculine gays here, either. It's just like any other place. There are some, but not a whole lot.

The gay community in CT is very small and everyone knows everyone and has their clicks.

As a former CT resident I would say this guy nailed it on the small state bit.

I disagree on the lack of masculine guys part. However you will find most CT gays spread out and live all over. Because CT is a small state there really isn't a need for a dedicated masc gay bar so none exists. Masc gays will still turn up at the gay bars especially around holidays so you might have step outside your comfort zone to meet folks. You can also try more dating oriented social apps like okcupid.

I still like New Haven better than Hartford overall and New Haven has the perk of the more walkable downtown plus the gay bars are not in the ghetto. You will still be a "townie" to most of the Yale folks so don't expect to easily meet any smart masc grad students.

[elkco]

I may have not went to an ivy league school, but I am graduating with my master's and landed a pretty good job at a fortune 100 company. At 23 I hope they are impressed with that. hahah

Are there activities in New Haven like a summer sport rec league or just even a social club for young professionals?

[Stylo]

New Haven has a large young professionals group: PULSE - Greater New Haven Chamber Of Commerce

There's plenty of sports leagues too. I'm sure others will know more.

[GoHuskies]

Originally Posted by Stylo

New Haven has a large young professionals group: PULSE - Greater New Haven Chamber Of Commerce

There's plenty of sports leagues too. I'm sure others will know more.

Heading north if OP ends up in Hartford there is a local professionals group up that way as well: HYPE Hartford - Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Hartford


If OP is already in state there is a new gay bar opening this weekend on the Berlin Tpke called Synn Lounge. Should be a heavy turnout but I doubt it will last for long only because a gay bar in the middle of nowhere is as terrible an idea as when the original Gotham club moved out from downtown New Haven to the eastern industrial end. There is also a brunch/comedy show up in Hartford on Sunday that should be very popular. You will find many masc guys at both events but you will still have to deal with non-masc guys and drag queens.

I mean this in the nicest way but you picked the wrong state if you expect a gay scene where you can hit the town and never deal with fem guys or queens =P