[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by bobtn

Retail and Casinos have been CTs' only growth areas. My former Ct employers had 2,000 Ct employees in mid 1980s, and today, employ 46 in Ct in 2008, and over 1,000 in other states.

UTC CEO has stated publicly he'll never allow that corp to add a single CT job in future. With exception of Sikorsky which adds/deletes by individual contract.

Sad.

Not really true- health care has grown quickly-you seem to have missed this. Education as well- again regarding health care-biotechnology growing fast. UTC growth not really happening anymore-agreed- but this is the past really. Connecticut's future does not lie in the past--defense etc.

What the state has not grown fast in is real estate-a good thing. In the coming recession/slowdown Connecticut's economy will be more resilient to those areas that have boomed thus far this decade, relying totally on in migration retail sales and real estate. The slowdown in the stock market will hurt us here- but we are in far better shape then 1989.

[bobtn]

skytrekker, Ct lost 120k mfg jobs since 1989, and added service jobs (read retail) and casino jobs (20k of them-at approx. $10/hour for bulk of them), it has fared disasterously in last 15 years, and was the LAST of the 50 states to recover jobs lost in 00-01 recession. They finally hit 2000 employment count in late 2007. 3 years later than the second-to-last state.

Just the facts.

[bobtn]

To further illustrate, the largest employer in Milford, Ct (pop: 50,000) is the Ct Post Mall.

Formerly, it had been BIC.

Pay is not equivalent at the mall.

[tcar509]

I was born and raised in Bridgeport Connecticut. I have family there still, also Trumbull, and shelton Connecticut. Moving away was the best thing that ever happened to me. I am not trying to badmouth the State however it was my own personal experience that I found it very dreary and run down. I ran with the wrong crowds in my 20's & early 30's. All they looked forward to every friday was getting thier paycheck and going to bars. I wanted more from life than that and I found it. However CT has beautiful parks and is close to NY & Boston and Cape Cod. I guess if you surround yourself with the right people it may be a positive experience for you. My husband came with me to visit relatives in CT for the first 2-yrs ago and he (a native New Yorker) said it depressed him. Anyway, good luck to you. The World is a big beautiful place and travels are a great part of life.
tcar509

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by bobtn

skytrekker, Ct lost 120k mfg jobs since 1989, and added service jobs (read retail) and casino jobs (20k of them-at approx. $10/hour for bulk of them), it has fared disasterously in last 15 years, and was the LAST of the 50 states to recover jobs lost in 00-01 recession. They finally hit 2000 employment count in late 2007. 3 years later than the second-to-last state.

Just the facts.

facts are real estate-both residential and commercial are pummeling many states

you seem to look at defense employment-most of it manufacturing, as this states future-hardly, the state has not participated in the current real estate bust- eh yes that is a fact- and what has the American economy been based on this decade? Debt- real estate, financial bubbles and hedge funds, leverage etc

I cannot think of any region of this country that has seen a broad economic advance based on the manufacturing of the past decade-can you?- those are the facts.

Those losses in manufacturing at UTC are over- the state is well positioned for the future- in the current downturn CT will suffer far less then many other areas of the country.

As far as Florida- the state is in a deep recession- floundering by a real estate bust seen not since the infamous bust of 1926.

[bobtn]

The 40% mfg loss (120k jobs/300k prior to period) far exceeded the US % loss for same period. It was amongst the highest percentile losses of any state in the entire country.

You are correct in that, given the lack of job growth vs other states, Ct has little left to lose.

[skytrekker]

Most of Connecticut's manufacturing jobs where lost from about 1985-1995

Since manufacturing is no longer an important cog in the states economy, where 'information' health care, bio tech/environmental sciences, educational service, some finance and others services are-plus limited 'boutique manufacturing' - the 'staples' of the past have indeed been hollowed out.

An increasing higher educational attainment is needed for this new economy, unless in the gaming industry and retail(which is not hiring now anyway)

Additionally, the 'new economy' in CT seems to follow the pathway as other higher cost regions of the nation. Utilizing a 'Knowledge based economy' over one that 'makes things'.

[catbys]

If the connecticut employment picture is so dire, why is the housing market holding strong?

[bobtn]

I hope you are correct, but to be frank, skytrekker, I think Ct will need more employment diversification in order to gain jobs at a pace equal to or better than US avg (post recession 2008). The state lost too high a percentage of mfg, vs.-avs. the US at large, thus, it needs to outpace US in segments that are employment-intensive in large quantities.

It will have to become more aggressive recruiting corps, even if it means large grants/tax abatements. Ct offered Bayer $60 mill to stay; they declined. They should act as if that money is available in recruting like-size corps.

[Woodland1]

Hello- we're in CT unfortuately. I am sure there are many reasons leading you to want to be in CT, and being a very personal decision we respect that! It is very difficult, even with "state" or other assistance, to make it in this state particularly with young children-- ESPECIALLY if they require daycare. It really depends on your goals, short and long-term, as to where you would be happiest. Rents are expensive, though areas like Torrington and Bristol come to mind as being more affordable. The trade-off is, of course, that the school systems there are not as good and trail the rest of the state which is always ahead in the country. Having lived in many different parts of the state, I am not fond of the Terryville area (Plymouth) at all but you may be happy there. The mill rate (tax) is out of control there. Last I knew, in 2007 I believe it was in the mid-40s which is extremely high. Even renting, you would still have to pay property tax on any vehicle, or other "taxable" items you own.
Good luck to you, and may you find happiness wherever you end up. BTW, if you have the will to make it work I am sure you'll see a happy ending no matter WHERE you choose to live!