[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Mr_250

No, and that's ok.

I agree. Who the heck would want the BS that goes on in major cities like New York and Boston. Sorry but those cities are not the "wonders" that many people claim. Like previous generations, the Millenials will realize that big cities have big problems and big inconveniences. I am happy that our cities are smaller and a lot more livable. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

^^^^ That would of been a good thing

Why? It would still be the same city, just have a larger population and area. I suppose that all of these stupid ratings that get posted here would change ((lower crime rate, higher income levels, etc.) but that is just window dressing and not reality. Jay

[Shorty458]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

There's no real attractions to Hartford, New Haven, or any big cities in CT. I mean you have the big cities like NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, LA, and Chicago. However, cities like the Twin Cities, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Rochester, Cleveland, Charlotte, Raleigh, Providence, and so forth offer more to see and do.

Is there a reason why CT is not strong in regards to growth. I mean out closest smaller city be Providence I feel it is a safer area than Hartford with a more vibrant culture better lay out and offering more attractions to see.

What's your feedback.

I lived in Tampa for 6 1/2 years. It felt nice to live in a city that actually had stuff going on, so I know what you mean. Hartford has nothing going for it. It mostly is just a commuter city. Downtown Tampa was that way though. However, they were fixing up the downtown area close to when I was moving out - adding some nice restaurants and some sky rise apartments.

However, for Hartford it seems almost they are stuck w/ not wanting to move forward. When I described Hartford to people, they were kind of shocked. Hartford could do a lot if they wanted to. I'm not sure why they are not. Budget maybe?

[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by Shorty458

I lived in Tampa for 6 1/2 years. It felt nice to live in a city that actually had stuff going on, so I know what you mean. Hartford has nothing going for it. It mostly is just a commuter city. Downtown Tampa was that way though. However, they were fixing up the downtown area close to when I was moving out - adding some nice restaurants and some sky rise apartments.

However, for Hartford it seems almost they are stuck w/ not wanting to move forward. When I described Hartford to people, they were kind of shocked. Hartford could do a lot if they wanted to. I'm not sure why they are not. Budget maybe?

Hartford and most other CT cities the property tax and poor schools are the reason they can't attract people. Why would a family pay $6,000 a year property tax to send their kids to a school that performs poorly and has a leaking roof ? When that same family can get superiour schools in Glastonbury for the same price of the ( $6,000 property tax).

Crime and/or the perception that Hartford is a high crime city.

The only hope Hartford has is to attract young people who don't need to send kids to school. When those people do have kids they will move to the suburbs and more young people will move it to take their place.
I'm not sure this scenario can be played out forever though.

It's too bad as Hartford has some decent housing in convenient areas for 1st time home buyers. The neighborhoods that border Wethersfield are decent IMO. From some of these areas you can walk to Franklin Ave where's there's plenty of stores and restaurants. No need for a car. Today's hipsters seem to love to walk every where.

[Shorty458]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

Hartford and most other CT cities the property tax and poor schools are the reason they can't attract people. Why would a family pay $6,000 a year property tax to send their kids to a school that performs poorly and has a leaking roof ? When that same family get get superiour schools in Glastonbury for the same price of the ( $6,000 property tax).

Crime and/or the perception that Hartford is a high crime city.

The only hope Hartford has is to attract young people who don't need to send kids to school. When those people do have kids they will move to the suburbs and more young people will move it to take their place.
I'm not sure this scenario can be played out forever though.

It's too bad as Hartford has some decent housing in convenient areas for 1st time home buyers. The neighborhoods that border Wethersfield are decent IMO. From some of these areas you can walk to Franklin Ave where's there's plenty of stores and restaurants. No need for a car.

Wow - my hubby and I just rent, (don't have to worry about that currently! ) but the property taxes are the same for both Glastonbury and Hartford? When we do buy though, I already know that Hartford is not on our list of places to look, and it is because of the crime.

[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by Shorty458

Wow - my hubby and I just rent, (don't have to worry about that currently! ) but the property taxes are the same for both Glastonbury and Hartford? When we do buy though, I already know that Hartford is not on our list of places to look, and it is because of the crime.

The mill rates are different for Hartford and Glastonbury, but that doesn't necessarily mean the taxes are the same.

What I am trying to point out is that one may pay 6k in Hartford and deal with poor schools, but pay the same 6k in Glastonbury and get superiour schools. For people with the means they are going to chose Glastonbury every time. This is also partly why we will never see any type of regionlization in CT ever. (especially in regards to schools)

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Shorty458

I lived in Tampa for 6 1/2 years. It felt nice to live in a city that actually had stuff going on, so I know what you mean. Hartford has nothing going for it. It mostly is just a commuter city. Downtown Tampa was that way though. However, they were fixing up the downtown area close to when I was moving out - adding some nice restaurants and some sky rise apartments.

However, for Hartford it seems almost they are stuck w/ not wanting to move forward. When I described Hartford to people, they were kind of shocked. Hartford could do a lot if they wanted to. I'm not sure why they are not. Budget maybe?

Uh... have you been to downtown Hartford recently? There are literally hundreds of new apartments being built AND rented there. It has been named one of the ten tightest rental markets in the country so developers are jumping at building new apartments there in new and converted buildings. There is also a very active food, arts and entertainment scene that gets better and better. I think you under estimate what the city has to offer. Jay

[CTDex]

Just got back from a few days in New Orleans and after touring most of the city I am once again reminded of why I prefer CT's cities to many of the big ones.


One big advantage of small cities is they really limit the potential of ghettos to form. As bad as areas of Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven are they pale in comparison to the mess located within the borders of many Americans cities.

[howdydoody342]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I agree. Who the heck would want the BS that goes on in major cities like New York and Boston. Sorry but those cities are not the "wonders" that many people claim. Like previous generations, the Millenials will realize that big cities have big problems and big inconveniences. I am happy that our cities are smaller and a lot more livable. Jay

I find big cities plenty livable. Not everyone's experience are the same. For me I needed a bigger labor market with more job possibilities.

CT cities are livable but I think they are somewhat restricted. There is a big world out there. Big and Small cities have their pluses and minuses. Depends at what age you are in life and your priorities. I have friends that live in redding as 20 something year olds. I think I'd go stir crazy living there in my 20s.

[RunD1987]

I think CT cities have a small area size of a few blocks that is being spruced up by the city. Everything else in the city is in shambles with abandoned buildings, abandoned crumbling factories, high crine/drug use, poor infrastructure, limited attractions, congestion, and not very walkable.