[TORRIC2015]

New to the site and I am currently living in West Palm Beach Florida and I am interested in relocating to CT prefferably the Hartford area. I have visited Hartford twice and I would really appreciate some pro's and about living there.

Thank you all in advance!

[EUPL]

The good thing is that the city is really investing allot into becoming somewhere desirable to live. Stay on the safe side and you will enjoy it, look into West Hartford as well.

[TORRIC2015]

I really want a change. I currently work for the state of Florida but now wanting to work with the state or city of Hartford. Can you tell me what are some of the good and some of the bad areas?

[EUPL]

Don't go anywhere "North of the city" Albany ave..Main St...
They are some new apt buildings you can check out, downtown is generally safe.
Check our rent.com

[ctguy87]

Originally Posted by TORRIC2015

I really want a change. I currently work for the state of Florida but now wanting to work with the state or city of Hartford. Can you tell me what are some of the good and some of the bad areas?

The biggest change of course is the weather. Have you always lived in FL? You may need to upgrade your wardrobe and your vehicle for the winter months.

How old are you? Are you looking for quiet, or are you looking to be close to restaurants/bars, etc? What are some of your hobbies? Do you know anyone here?

The only neighborhood I would recommend looking into in Hartford itself is the West End, or downtown if your budget allows for it. Otherwise, you are better off in the suburbs.

CT is expensive, but I think the West Palm Beach area is too, so you may not find the day to day expenses to be that different. What's your budget? Own, rent?

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by ctguy87

The biggest change of course is the weather. Have you always lived in FL? You may need to upgrade your wardrobe and your vehicle for the winter months.

How old are you? Are you looking for quiet, or are you looking to be close to restaurants/bars, etc? What are some of your hobbies? Do you know anyone here?

The only neighborhood I would recommend looking into in Hartford itself is the West End, or downtown if your budget allows for it. Otherwise, you are better off in the suburbs.

CT is expensive, but I think the West Palm Beach area is too, so you may not find the day to day expenses to be that different. What's your budget? Own, rent?

What about Wethersfield/Hartford border

[NewJeffCT]

the OP said "Hartford area"

What is your budget and are you looking to rent or buy? Are schools important to you? And, how close to Hartford do you want to be?

Hartford itself is generally not a great place to live. There are some nice areas on the west end of the city, though.

Hartford is surrounded by some excellent suburbs with good schools that are a short drive to Hartford. West Hartford, Avon, Canton, Farmington, Simsbury and Glastonbury are more expensive, but all have excellent schools. South Windsor is right up there as well. Towns like Newington, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill and Cromwell have above average school systems and are more affordable alternatives to the towns I mentioned above. Bloomfield, Windsor and East Hartford have some have some nice affordable neighborhoods, but the school performance is below average. A bit farther out, Southington offers good schools and lot of nice neighborhoods. Burlington, Granby, East Granby, Ellington, Somers and Tolland are farther out and more rural, but still offer good schools and a reasonable commute to Hartford (30-40 minutes).

[ctguy87]

Originally Posted by BPt111

What about Wethersfield/Hartford border

As far south as you can get, but those are more single family homes than apartment buildings anyway.

[TORRIC2015]

I am looking to rent. Been sending out my resume and working with a few headhunters. The rent hjas to be cheaper than it is here in West Palm Beach. I have two sons 21 and 15 and I have worked in state government for over 20 years. I'm 45. I know Hartford or CT is known for its cold weather...like I said I'm ready for a change.

[JayCT]

A decent rent here in the Hartford area will be about $1,200 per month for 2 bedrooms. That does not include heat or utilities. I am not sure how that compares. Of course that is in a nicer complex or condo in a decent location like Manchester or Middletown. You can go up or down from there depending on your desires and budget.

Hartford is a great small city. There is a lot of cultural things like museums, theater, art and entertainment options including Infinity Hall, Xfinity Meadows and the casinos. The beaches are an hour or so drive south. The mountains are an hour or so north. Boston is 2 hours one way, New York 2 hours the other. Hartford itself is a small city (only 17 square miles) but is the urban core of a mid=sized metropolitan area of about 1.4 million people. Downtown has seen a lot of residential construction/renovation in recent years which is helping make the city more vibrant at night. Keep in mind that it is a working city so you won't find a lot of the touristy attractions you would find in cities that attract a lot of tourists. The city does have some problem neighborhoods but if you want to be in the city stick to areas like downtown or the West End.

If you want a more suburban location, as was noted West Hartford is a great place to look since it has a very nice small downtown area with a lot of interesting shops and restaurants. Other options to consider would be bigger towns like Manchester or Middletown where there are a number of apartment complexes and rentals that are convenient to jobs centers. If you want to live in more upscale areas, you may want to consider living in a town like Glastonbury or Farmington.

And if you want a more quiet almost rural area, you can't beat the Farmington River Valley towns of Avon, Simsbury, Canton and Granby for charm and beauty. That area is separated from the core of metropolitan Hartford by a range of small mountains which helps give it a sort of "shang-ra-la" feel to the area. Let us know if you have any questions. We would be happy to help. Jay