[RunD1987]

Yep CT is pretty much quiet compared to the Bay Area.
Plus is CT is the birthplace of running legends. Bill Rodgers in Newington CT short drive East of Bristol. Then Amby Burfoot, John J Kelly, and Ellison Myers Brown Sr.

Anyways back in my younger years a friend's family lived in Middlebury and he commuted up to ESPN, his dad. Drive isn't too bad, but with construction on 84 it's a pain.

Surrounding towns worth a look at are Southington, Collinsville (Bit of a drive in the winter), Newington, Berlin, West Hartford, Burlington, and Farmington.

Wolcott might have some decent condos to look at. Packed between Southington, Cheshire, and Waterbury. Few decent parks with decent trails there. Most towns have some good open rec areas. Blue trail starts in Wolcott up through Litchfield area.

There's another 90 mile trail more center of CT up into Mass.

Wooded areas have to go north or east in CT.

Hartford Track Club think out of West Hartford is a great running club. Southington Y might still have one not sure.

There is 1 big marathon in the State, but close to 6 all together. A few ultra races have sprung up recently. Last I recall about 8 or 10. Hartford Marathon Foundation always looks for volunteers at their races.

[East of the River]

Originally Posted by jxzz

Stamford is no brainer. SF to Hartford area is not really attractive. ESPN should move HQ to Stamford

ESPN (well Disney) has invested heavily in infrastructure to support live broadcast and re transmission from Bristol. They also enjoy a lower cost by staying there. That said they may move some positions out and downsizing is a real issue, but I imagine many of the ESPN offices in the area will stay around as long as ESPN does for the foreseeable future.

[East of the River]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

Yep CT is pretty much quiet compared to the Bay Area.
Plus is CT is the birthplace of running legends. Bill Rodgers in Newington CT short drive East of Bristol. Then Amby Burfoot, John J Kelly, and Ellison Myers Brown Sr.

Anyways back in my younger years a friend's family lived in Middlebury and he commuted up to ESPN, his dad. Drive isn't too bad, but with construction on 84 it's a pain.

Surrounding towns worth a look at are Southington, Collinsville (Bit of a drive in the winter), Newington, Berlin, West Hartford, Burlington, and Farmington.

Wolcott might have some decent condos to look at. Packed between Southington, Cheshire, and Waterbury. Few decent parks with decent trails there. Most towns have some good open rec areas. Blue trail starts in Wolcott up through Litchfield area.

There's another 90 mile trail more center of CT up into Mass.

Wooded areas have to go north or east in CT.

Hartford Track Club think out of West Hartford is a great running club. Southington Y might still have one not sure.

There is 1 big marathon in the State, but close to 6 all together. A few ultra races have sprung up recently. Last I recall about 8 or 10. Hartford Marathon Foundation always looks for volunteers at their races.

We have the Manchester road race also plus several other marathons. I know I had a relative big into cycling and he used to volunteer at alot of charity rides around the state.

[RunD1987]

Originally Posted by East of the River

We have the Manchester road race also plus several other marathons. I know I had a relative big into cycling and he used to volunteer at alot of charity rides around the state.

That is true lots of tris and century bike races.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Career wise there are a decent number of marketing agencies and studios in the state that do some video. A friend's video production house in SW CT just hired someone from ESPN. NBC Sports is in Stamford. Most of your future career networking prospects will be in SW CT, or NYC. Since you're renting you could theoretically move closer to Stamford/Norwalk and NYC in the future instead of living there now with a longer commute. But that's the networking scene you want.

But wouldn't having ESPN on his resume be a good thing in order to make that jump to NYC or SW CT jobs?

[rajbas]

Great input and thanks a lot for some of the precise data points. I am aware that ESPN has been losing subscribers daily. I am told the reduction in workforce are mostly around broadcast and the digital teams (online streaming, video on demand, etc) are actually growing.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by robr2

But wouldn't having ESPN on his resume be a good thing in order to make that jump to NYC or SW CT jobs?

It is. And many of the people you meet will be connected to the NYC scene. It could be a very good move.

[jxzz]

Originally Posted by rajbas

Great input and thanks a lot for some of the precise data points. I am aware that ESPN has been losing subscribers daily. I am told the reduction in workforce are mostly around broadcast and the digital teams (online streaming, video on demand, etc) are actually growing.

If you are really into Bristol job, consider a move to a house in New Haven county, south of
Bristol such as Cheshire, Wallingford etc. The house price is cheap, drive to work is about 30 minutes,
and the drive to nearest NYC bound train station (West haven, New Haven) is about 30 minutes to connect careers in Stamford or NYC opportunities.

Wallingford will have train station soon connecting New Haven, Hartford, the Hartford line will open up in 2018 so that another choice of taking train
at Wallingford directly will open up soon.

[East of the River]

Originally Posted by jxzz

If you are really into Bristol job, consider a move to a house in New Haven county, south of
Bristol such as Cheshire, Wallingford etc. The house price is cheap, drive to work is about 30 minutes,
and the drive to nearest NYC bound train station (West haven, New Haven) is about 30 minutes to connect careers in Stamford or NYC opportunities.

Wallingford will have train station soon connecting New Haven, Hartford, the Hartford line will open up in 2018 so that another choice of taking train
at Wallingford directly will open up soon.

Wallingford and Cheshire are both good ideas given your situation Cheshire will certainly cost more but its a very nice town.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

Yep CT is pretty much quiet compared to the Bay Area.
Plus is CT is the birthplace of running legends. Bill Rodgers in Newington CT short drive East of Bristol. Then Amby Burfoot, John J Kelly, and Ellison Myers Brown Sr.

Anyways back in my younger years a friend's family lived in Middlebury and he commuted up to ESPN, his dad. Drive isn't too bad, but with construction on 84 it's a pain.

Surrounding towns worth a look at are Southington, Collinsville (Bit of a drive in the winter), Newington, Berlin, West Hartford, Burlington, and Farmington.

Wolcott might have some decent condos to look at. Packed between Southington, Cheshire, and Waterbury. Few decent parks with decent trails there. Most towns have some good open rec areas. Blue trail starts in Wolcott up through Litchfield area.

There's another 90 mile trail more center of CT up into Mass.

Wooded areas have to go north or east in CT.

Hartford Track Club think out of West Hartford is a great running club. Southington Y might still have one not sure.

There is 1 big marathon in the State, but close to 6 all together. A few ultra races have sprung up recently. Last I recall about 8 or 10. Hartford Marathon Foundation always looks for volunteers at their races.

Connecticut is suburban state with some small depressed cities and rural areas. West Hartford would be better living and work in Bristol if OP choose to move. Connecticut is nothing like Bay area you won't have any big city feeling and choices.