[JayCT]

Jviello - Just want to clarify that I-84 throughHartford does backup across the Bulkeley Bridge during rush hour and it lasts a couple of hours. Not horrible but very slow moving. Jay

[JViello]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Jviello - Just want to clarify that I-84 throughHartford does backup across the Bulkeley Bridge during rush hour and it lasts a couple of hours. Not horrible but very slow moving. Jay

I agree, and perhaps I should clarify. Going West from the East, it will slow you down for about 5 minutes maybe 10 in your trip. That was what I meant, not that the traffic lasts for 5 minutes. lol

I go through DT Hartford from the East about 2-3 times a week between 7-9 am and I would say the difference between "rush hour" and not to get through is about 10 minutes tops.

I was more replying to the fact that the claim was made about getting through on the weekends! LOL

[bkraics]

Great info. Thank you!

[hopland]

One point worth mention for those of us who live in the Farmington Valley and want to drive to NYC...we can head west and take Route 8 South to the Merritt Parkway - avoiding the Hartford/New Haven mess altogether. We have relatives in Long Island...and make the drive from Granby to the Bridgeport terminal of the Port Jefferson ferry in approx 1 hr 15 min on weekends by heading west on Rte 20 to Route 8 south. It's also a scenic drive. Anybody living east of the valley would undoubtedly opt for I91 South to the Merrit.

[Samsoncat]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Tolland and Windham counties in eastern Connecticut are indeed the best place to get the most 'bang for your buck' for housing costs- all the towns mentioned above are very pleasant-close to Hartford and Providence, as well as the ocean.

Storrs and Mansfield are fine New England towns, also consider Tolland, Stafford , Willington, Coventry and Stafford Springs. Near the Rhode Island border Putnam is charming. Another option is Colchester, about halfway between Hartford and New London.

Could you post some links to these areas?, local newspapers mabe?

[Mark_CT]

Originally Posted by JViello

I would just like to clarify that there is no "bridge bottleneck" East of the river in Hartford that doesn't last but 5 minutes on weekday mornings...no such thing on the weekends exists short of a rare and random accident that can happen on any highway at any time.

If anything IMHO getting from the Farmington River Valley to 84 or the Merrit Parkway is harder due to no direct highway access and that negates any time savings via distance.

From Manchester you can be on the Merrit Parkway in about 25-30 minutes via 91 South.

I don't find it hard at all from the Farmington Valley. I-84.. is only in Farmington. NYC takes me under 2 hours in moving traffic.

[jad2000]

Originally Posted by JViello

If anything IMHO getting from the Farmington River Valley to 84 or the Merrit Parkway is harder due to no direct highway access and that negates any time savings via distance.

For 9 months I commuted from Farmington to Trumbull - access was very easy as you hop right on 84 which connects with Route 8. If you're in the far western Farmington Valley (which can include parts of Burlington) you can get on the northern part of Route 8 where you probably won't pass more than 10 cars through Thomaston.

I think 84 to Route 8 is a heck of a lot easier than traveling from Manchester. 25 minutes from Manchester to the Merritt Parkway? Can someone say Lead Foot?

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by Samsoncat

Could you post some links to these areas?, local newspapers mabe?

Housing prices east of the Connecticut river have traditionally been lower then those west and south of Hartford.

Both single family homes, both new and existing, as well as condos/townhouses
Prices are lower-best thing to do is to direct message me. I will give try and give information regarding what your needs might be.

I cannot give direct housing links on this open forum with a site like Realtor.com. They are considered advertising.

[Juliangel]

I live in Manchester and am very happy here. We also have an anual Race on Thanksgiveing that attarcts thousands of people world wide each year.
Julia

[L2Jersey]

We moved to CT 2 1/2 yrs ago from Georgia. Ww love it here. We settled here in Vernon. It is not a big city but is close enough (short drive) to everything.