Wishing to leave NJ for CT, advise! (New Haven, Hartford: appointed, apartment)

julesstp · 07-20-2009, 10:45 AM

Hi guys,

We live in South NJ, greater Philly area. Although we love Philadelphia, we can't keep living in SNJ...nothing is going on for us. My girlfriend is from the Bay Area in California and I'm from South America. We found a job in Philly and it's been almost a year. We want a change. We come from UCLA...imagine the change, all the way from L.A. to Cherry Hill, NJ.

We are 28 years old and we feel that we're wasting our lives in this area. We are looking into CT, we love it there. Just went there for the weekend and spent some time at Yale. Beautiful. Brought us back in the day. Our old UCLA days...

We are looking for an active area in CT, where things are happening. We want to rent, not buy, live in a safe area hopefully with people our age range. We don't make much money now, but we're looking for an exciting spot in CT. Are there teaching opportunities there? what about ad agencies?

I know this is a lot to ask, but was wondering if anyone could give me any feedback about these questions. To sum up:
- What is a safe, young and trendy neighborhood to live in CT?
- Are there teaching opportunities?
- Are there any well-known ad agencies?

thanks so much. You will be helped someday, I promise.

Jules

KH02 · 07-20-2009, 10:50 AM

Teaching is tough in CT right now unless you are doing a science or math for highschool level.
If you are looking for elementary education you are totally out of luck, there is nothing and the few openings available get hundreds of applications...
How about New HAven itself since you liked yale so much??
Whats your budget?

kidyankee764 · 07-20-2009, 10:56 AM

I'll be honest - I don't think CT is a very "exciting" place. The cities are great with culture and sophistication, but also have their fair share of crime and poverty as well. Most of the suburbs are beautiful and are a great place to raise a family, but will not be as lively as Manhattan or SF. CT is more laid back than even NY and NJ, for the most part. Stamford is probably the fastest-paced city in CT, followed by New Haven and Hartford.

Sounds like you might like Hoboken, NJ.

JayCT · 07-20-2009, 11:39 AM

I agree that you should start in New Haven since that is what you liked but as noted it isn't really all that exciting. It is a small city and is home to Yale and all the great cultural opportunities it affords, but that is about it. Don't get me wrong, New Haven is a wonderful small city and a great place to live but coming from a large city like Philly or LA, it could be boring.

If you really crave excitment than I agree with the suggestion to check out Hoboken. Lots of young people there and you are right across the river from New York and there are a lot of advertising jobs there. Jay

julesstp · 07-20-2009, 12:24 PM

wow guys, thanks so much! this is great feedback. I'm a little disappointed about CT being a slow-paced place to live, but well...maybe in years to come. We were in Hartford yesterday and thought it looked like a "Big small city". Do you agree? I know that I'm on the CT forum, but is Hoboken safe? Is paying $1000 a month worth of rent considered cheap or just fine for a nice/comfortable/safe/clean apartment?

JD

brasscitybluenwhite · 07-20-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KH02

Teaching is tough in CT right now unless you are doing a science or math for highschool level.
If you are looking for elementary education you are totally out of luck, there is nothing and the few openings available get hundreds of applications...
How about New HAven itself since you liked yale so much??
Whats your budget?

Are you seriously recommending New Haven to someone? Aren't you the same person who "wouldn't recommend" Waterbury to the other poster? Besides Yale, what else is in New Haven besides a better nightlife? More violence?

julesstp · 07-20-2009, 12:55 PM

Just had a talk with my girlfriend. We love CT. We just want to get out of NJ. No disrespect to the Garden State. It's just not for us.

Any city in CT where people rent, is diverse and has a lot of people moving in and moving out? I guess that's what we're looking for.

thanks, guys,

Jules

JayCT · 07-20-2009, 01:20 PM

Since you insist on Ct then I would suggest Stamford, Hartford or New Haven. Stamford is commutable to New York so that would be good but note that it is pretty expensive. Hartford is a big small city which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending what you prefer. A lot of young people prefer living in the West End or West Hartford. New Haven too could be considered a big small city since it is only slightly smaller than Hartford though Hartford's metro area is larger and a little more independent. Jay

brasscitybluenwhite · 07-20-2009, 01:21 PM

Lots of people rent in all Connecticut cities. All Connecticut cities are diverse. In my opinion, Connecticut cities are very similar to New Jersey cities.

I'm a fan of urban living especially in CT. But I'd have to ask you, what is it that you don't like about where you live now?

Leilani Vasquez · 07-20-2009, 01:40 PM

Aren't the taxes in New Jersey a little insane as well as high rents?

i have a relative who got married and moved to NJ, and she hates it for those issues. She tells me there's a lot of rundown areas, more than what you'll find in CT.

I could be wrong though.