[skytrekker]

I beg to differ on the premise that West Hartford is fast paced 'like LI or NY'
In all the years I have lived in the Hartford area- and visited this town (WH) Since about 1970- it strikes me as being a pleasant New England small city- with a relaxed attitude and a sophisticated populace.

Also lets try and keep the thread with a modicum of good taste- posts that are off topic or have personal attacks invites a moderator to make changes.

Lets try and refrain from making harsh or negative stereotypes / generalizations about any group of people.

[WILWRadio]

What pray tell is the "New England" "Yankee" wannabe contingent? I've never even heard this term before. Is this how some people label flatlanders that move to New England from other regions of the country? It's a hilarious description if that is the case.

[skytrekker]

The New England or 'Connecticut Yankee' is an old description of the original settlers and their decendents here that dates back to 1635- they are supposedly taciturn, cheap, reserved & stuffy. Another term for those of 'lower economic standing' may be called a 'Swamp Yankee'.

Its all in fun really- remember the states song is 'Yankee Doodle' and the I 84 freeway from the NY line to Hartford is called the 'Yankee Expressway'.

If anyone typifies the Connecticut Yankee it is Famous native Katherine Hepburn.

None of this has to do with the Baseball team in NY.

[JoeYanxfan]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

None of this has to do with the Baseball team in NY.

Obviously it does, or it wouldn't BE THE NAME OF THE TEAM. I only use the term Yankee in the context of whether or not you are a northerner, particularly in the east. The Yankees called themselves that because New York is the unofficial capital of the northeast. And they wanted a somewhat patriotic name.

[JoeYanxfan]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

it strikes me as being a pleasant New England small city- with a relaxed attitude and a sophisticated populace.

Flat out, W.H. looks more like Chappaqua than Bar Harbor. New England is not as uniform as I believe you tend to think it is. In SW New England (CT) there are huge variations in the way people talk, dress, socialize, entertain, relax, work, and what their homes and cities look like. Not every town in New England has to fit this archetypal mold you seem to think it does. This is especially true in Conn, which is heavily influenced by it's neighbour: the LARGEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES, NYC. Most of WH was built in the post-puritan New England era... as a suburb with many tudor, colonial, and dutch colonial homes. Granted, the area does have many remnants of the centuries past (Eastern NY has New England homes as well!), it is now the 21st century and some of us need to move on and stop holding on so dearly to fading tradition.

[JayCT]

Skytrekker is correct that the term "Yankee" has applied to people from Connecticut long before there was a baseball team by that name. Why a New York team is named that is beyond me but the reference to Connecticut or New England Yankees refers to hard-working, well educated, forward-thinking, frugal types that dominated the region.

Getting back to the OP's questions, West Hartford is a very diverse community. Skytrekker listed the many different types of nationalities that can be found there (there are also a lot of Italians). I think Memphismonkey's characterization of people there is boarding on insulting and is not a correct generalization. While I don't live there, I do know many people there (including a some that are Jewish) and none of them are anything like they described. Yes most are well off but not rich. Most are hard working and educated, but none are as obnoxious as described even those that are teenagers which are notorious for being that way.

Like any community there is a wide range of people that live in WH and you will need to get out and find those that you like. you can do this by joining into things that interest you or that would attract people that you would like to associate with. Good luck and welcome to CT. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by JoeYanxfan

Flat out, W.H. looks more like Chappaqua than Bar Harbor. New England is not as uniform as I believe you tend to think it is. In SW New England (CT) there are huge variations in the way people talk, dress, socialize, entertain, relax, work, and what their homes and cities look like. Not every town in New England has to fit this archetypal mold you seem to think it does. This is especially true in Conn, which is heavily influenced by it's neighbour: the LARGEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES, NYC. Most of WH was built in the post-puritan New England era... as a suburb with many tudor, colonial, and dutch colonial homes. Granted, the area does have many remnants of the centuries past (Eastern NY has New England homes as well!), it is now the 21st century and some of us need to move on and stop holding on so dearly to fading tradition.

West Hartford doesn't look like Chappaqua. West Hartford is a first-tier somewhat urban suburb of a major city. Older homes on small lots with sidewalk and tree lined streets. Chappaqua is a lot more rural in character located 45 minute from New York and is in Westchester county not on Long Island.

Actually West Hartford looks a lot like the suburbs of Boston. Many of West hartford's homes were designed by Boston area architects so there is definitely a connection to that New England city. It reminds me of Newton in many ways. I know people from West Hartford that moved to Newton because it reminded them of West Hartford. Jay

[skytrekker]

The House form and culture of the 6 New England states remains distinctive to this day- and it is what truly makes us unique and separates us from NY and the rest of the country.

Thankfully our leaders have maintained this idea- and have not allowed the region to become a hodgepodge of leap frogging urban sprawl, or allowed zoning patterns that have changed the unique settlement design that dates make from the early 17th century.

New England has maintained its architectural uniqueness, the design of its cities and towns, and its restrictive zoning to preserve its historical heritage. This tradition has not 'faded' in the late 20th and early 21st centuries- but fortunately has been even further enhanced, protected by intelligent leaders working together with land use planners that prohibits bad zoning and limiting the development and construction of undesirable 'house forms'-both residential and commercial that does not blend into the regional character. Many realize that one of the Main draws to New England is its 'New England Character'- which many people vacation here for or decide to take up permanent residency to live the special 'New England way of life'.

[WILWRadio]

This one is for the flat landers in the audience. The origins of the name "Yankee".

Yankee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[skytrekker]

Thank you for the link.