What things surprised you about cities, states or places you've visited?

[norcal2k19]

Originally Posted by RangeRover20

Interesting about Hartford, CT. I have never been to that region of the country, but have always been intrigued by CT as well as the whole New England region. I once read that the cities in CT were quite segregated. The suburbs were 96+% white and the cities were 96+% black. That is some serious segregation and institutionalized/structural racism that in my view, has no equal. In fact, it is quite disturbing to me. Sounds like you witnessed what that segregation looks like.

Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Danbury, Hartford, New Haven, New London etc. are all very diverse (this is also reflected in the political leadership too - one of the key barometers I look at to get a sense of diversity). CT also has the highest %-wise of folks of color out of all the New England states (starting to resemble NJ demographically, note: not culturally as CT is way more reserved). It's the New England state I feel most comfortable in as a Black person and resident. CT is in a unique position of being a part of the NYC Metropolis while also being associated with its long New England history full of character and tradition (you see these themes play out at times among elected officials and residents). Also, CT's K-12 education system has few equals in the US.

Yes - the NE townie concept dating back to the 1600s reinforced really tight town boundaries, which impacted integration. It also allows for really good local services and a generally scenic environment - the first state where I've felt I get a good return on the taxes that I pay.

re: integration - The State gov't. is playing an active role in promoting Transit-oriented and mixed-income housing development, while actively funding open choice programs that allows working-class kids, especially in our cities, to attend schools in the wealthiest towns such as Greenwich (Darien is another story...). CT also has a really exceptional state-led system of vocational high schools (few examples of this in the country).

We have a lot of work to do, but at least we're acknowledging it and putting real resources into closing inequity among education and job opportunities in the state.

Hartford is a sad case of 1960s "urban renewal" that put a highway right on the waterfront. The city and state are now trying to find ways to activate the waterfront and stimulate Downtown Hartford. Its metro area is still one of the wealthiest in the country, especially after adjusted for cost of living.

Data show places such as my home state of Tennessee (home to one of the most incarcerated zip codes, 37208), generally do worse on education, incarceration, and general quality of life metrics.