[lair8]

I ask this question inquisitively - not rhetorically. But CT seems like the little sibling of NJ and MA. It's still probably a better place to live than the majority of the US, but usually people looking to go to the north and pay a higher cost of living might gravitate toward a different state. You could go to MA to get universal health care + live closer to Boston. Or go to NJ to get access to the NY metro area.

What do you get from living in CT that you don't get from NJ or MA?

[WouldLoveTo]

MA is colder, has tolls
NJ is snobby and has tolls

That's all I've got, I'm not here by choice, I was born here

I would be interested in the Berkshires in MA if not for winters there. I have no interest in NJ

[WestRiverTraveler]

Universal health care in MA? Maybe that was true pre-ACA, but CT and MA now operate on similar systems with a connector and subsidized purchasing for those who meet the income requirements.

In terms of access to the NYC Metro, CT has it just as much as New Jersey. Like New Jersey, you have access to a second major city.

For both MA and NJ, the cost of living in the areas closest to the major metros is very, very, high. To put things into perspective, I sold a 1200 sq ft house in a mediocre neighborhood, where my kid would have been in the school lottery for Boston Public schools. For $150k LESS, I bought an 1850 sq ft house (not counting a walk up attic and garage that I didn't have in Boston.) I'm now in moderately affluent suburb of New Haven, on the coast, with a gold plated school system. I took a small pay cut and lost out on some pension years. I rarely hit traffic until I go west of New Haven. In Boston my commute was hell. I can be in downtown New Haven from my suburban home in less time that it look me to get to downtown Boston. I'm at the beach with my daughter 4x per week in the summer for the price of a $40 annual sticker. While New Haven might not be Boston or NYC, it's solid small city that has plenty to offer.

There is a lot I miss about Boston and MA certainly has some real advantages, but CT offers a good balance of affordability good wages, excellent schools, and access urban centers.

[Vetgirl2014]

In NJ you have to say you live in Jersey…

No. Seriously. That is a solid reasoning why some people pick CT over NJ.

NJ has more of an international feel due to its proximity to NYC comparative to MA. MA is more provincial, especially outside of Boston. I don’t know many people who consider MA and NJ in the same bucket when deciding where to live because they are totally different kettles of fish. Usually it’s the question between MA, RI, CT or MA, NH, ME and NJ, NY, CT or NJ, PA.

Parts of CT have just as much access to NY as much of NJ.

Why did I personally pick CT? We wanted access to NYC with the quaint Nee England feel, good public schools, great access to hiking, cute town with nice homes and I wanted my taxes to be as low as possible with the above pre-reques.

[Stylo]

For me it’s proximity to NYC for work. I may very well live in MA if it weren’t for that. But I wouldn’t live in NJ, despite having a ton of family there. I love New England.

[SteveM85]

Generally people move into the Northeast for jobs. I have not yet met a person who randomly moved to CT for any other reason. It's either job relos or natives, that's it.
If the job is in Boston or MA then they would move to MA.
If the job is in CT they would move to CT. If the job is in NJ they would move to NJ.
If the job is in NYC they can choose between northern NJ or Fairfield County in CT.

[JayCT]

I think the Connecticut advantage is how high it rates overall in many categories (education, health, affluence, per capita GDP, quality of life, etc.).

I lived in New Jersey and it’s a very crowded state. Though Connecticut is almost equally dense, it doesn’t feel like it. In Connecticut you can drive 10 minutes out of a city and be in the country. You can’t do that in NJ. It’s sprawl in every direction. Also NJ lacks the character and charm Connecticut has. It doesn’t have the iconic New England town greens with charming white steeped churches and historic buildings that most towns here have.

Massachusetts has a lot of character but it is pricey. It doesn’t have a large prosperous but affordable cities/metro areas like Hartford or New Haven that are not tied to Uber pricey Boston. Connecticut cities are very easy living as well. You have great amenities and entertainment but few of the hassles of a big city. It’s as simple as being able to get into a high quality restaurant without waiting for hours or being able to get tickets to a great show or event.

All that said however, the best thing about Connecticut over Massachusetts or New Jersey is location. Since Connecticut is between New York and Massachusetts so you can enjoy the best of both while not necessarily having to pay the high prices of both. It’s truly unique. Jay

[dazzleman]

Connecticut has lower property taxes than comparable areas in New York or New Jersey. Not sure about Massachusetts. You get the most for your money, overall, for areas with access to New York City.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by WouldLoveTo

MA is colder, has tolls
NJ is snobby and has tolls

That's all I've got, I'm not here by choice, I was born here

I would be interested in the Berkshires in MA if not for winters there. I have no interest in NJ

CT is snobby as well Westport, Greenwich, Darien

[WouldLoveTo]

Originally Posted by BPt111

CT is snobby as well Westport, Greenwich, Darien

That's just a corner that we can call NYC Extension