New Jersey vs. Connecticut vs. Massachusetts: BEST OVERALL (best cities, 2015)

[BostonBornMassMade]

I know, i know this isn't technically city vs city but these are tithe three densest states in the Union minus (PR, DC, and RI) and their entire geographies could be considered cities in part of the South or West. I choose these three states because I was born in Boston and raised there obviously. I went to School in Hartford and have extensive family and time spent in Central Jersey. Trenton-Philadelphia- Princeton area.. (Mercer and Burlington Counties). These are usually in the top 3-5 states in the union in most positive rankings. Education, health, wealth, safety (DESPITE the perception) and all three play second fiddle to NYC in some way. (Boston as second best to NYC, NJ is the little brother and CT is the dependent). So I'm here to ask what states do you all think is the best. Admittedly, Being African American, i may have slightly different perceptions of the states than many CD posters as I spend time in the more black heavy portions of the states (Urban North/Central New Jersey, Hartford/New Haven -along I-91 and I-84 and the eastern/southern portion Metro Boston-Brockton down to Providence) so I have not really experienced the Jersey Shore, CT shore or too much of Cape Cod or Cape Ann).

My personal ranking of the States go NJ, MA CT..in that order With my criteria being (as of 2015):

Education (K-12):NJ/MA
Entertainment and Retail:NJ
Safety:CT/MA
Economic Diversity and Stability: NJ
Diversity:NJ
Beauty:MA
Good Governance (minimal corruption): CT
Affordability:CT
History: MA
Culture:NJ

To me CT loses out because it is a perfect hybrid of the two thus indistinct. And please if you're gonna post statistics lets keep every thing as modern as possible plenty of 2012 and 2013 statistics floating out there right now, or at least 2010. It kills me when i see people post 2000/2005 data because its just not relevant. Let The Debate Begin!

[BostonBornMassMade]

Ive Moved this Thread to City vs. City

[EconHusky]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

I know, i know this isn't technically city vs city but these are tithe three densest states in the Union minus (PR, DC, and RI) and their entire geographies could be considered cities in part of the South or West. I choose these three states because I was born in Boston and raised there obviously. I went to School in Hartford and have extensive family and time spent in Central Jersey. Trenton-Philadelphia- Princeton area.. (Mercer and Burlington Counties). These are usually in the top 3-5 states in the union in most positive rankings. Education, health, wealth, safety (DESPITE the perception) and all three play second fiddle to NYC in some way. (Boston as second best to NYC, NJ is the little brother and CT is the dependent). So I'm here to ask what states do you all think is the best. Admittedly, Being African American, i may have slightly different perceptions of the states than many CD posters as I spend time in the more black heavy portions of the states (Urban North/Central New Jersey, Hartford/New Haven -along I-91 and I-84 and the eastern/southern portion Metro Boston-Brockton down to Providence) so I have not really experienced the Jersey Shore, CT shore or too much of Cape Cod or Cape Ann).

My personal ranking of the States go NJ, MA CT..in that order With my criteria being (as of 2015):

Education (K-12):NJ/MA
Entertainment and Retail:NJ
Safety:CT/MA
Economic Diversity and Stability: NJ
Diversity:NJ
Beauty:MA
Good Governance (minimal corruption): CT
Affordability:CT
History: MA
Culture:NJ

To me CT loses out because it is a perfect hybrid of the two thus indistinct. And please if you're gonna post statistics lets keep every thing as modern as possible plenty of 2012 and 2013 statistics floating out there right now, or at least 2010. It kills me when i see people post 2000/2005 data because its just not relevant. Let The Debate Begin!

I grew up in CT, live in Boston, and have some friends/family in Jersey. Let me first say that Mass, above the other two, varies much more by location- western vs. eastern vs. Cape Cod is just all a different culture. My answers for Mass will be based on the Boston metro (widely) toward Natick and Worcester (eastern Mass).

So here is my perspective:

Education (K-12):MA/NJ (excl. Boston Public Schools)
Entertainment and Retail:MA (mainly Easten MA) & NJ
Safety:CT (kinda)/MA (CT has had a lot of school threats, among other problems, over the past few years)
Economic Diversity and Stability: MA
Diversity:NJ
Beauty:MA
Good Governance (minimal corruption): MA
Affordability: NJ and non-eastern MA (lol @ CT)
History: MA
Culture: NJ/MA

Scores:
NJ- 5
MA- 8
CT-.5


Of course I personally do not weigh those all evenly, but I would rank them in that order regardless. NJ and MA would be a lot closer on certain parts if I was talking about all of Mass, but I have less experience out there. The entertainment and retail would definitely be up for debate, and I might not clump them together either.

Anyway, I left CT for more than one reason- but that's not a rant worth getting into I just wouldn't say going to college in CT is a good representation of the real world there.


EDIT: Northeast CT is affordable but almost no one wants to live there except those with family; it is largely ignored by most of the state with the exception of UConn. Everything is focused on southern & western CT. My soon-to-be-in-laws grew up in Fairfield and everyone would say, "Nothing good east of the Connecticut River" ...I've noticed that holds up today- denser populations contribute. So maybe northeast CT can give half a point to CT on affordability?

[Mightyqueen801]

I don't know about MA outranking Jersey in history, although MA certainly played a big part in our country's early history. But more battles were fought in New Jersey during the Revolution than anywhere else, so I think we should get points for that! ; )

[EconHusky]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

I don't know about MA outranking Jersey in history, although MA certainly played a big part in our country's early history. But more battles were fought in New Jersey during the Revolution than anywhere else, so I think we should get points for that! ; )

No points for war!

[HumpDay]

Wow poor Connecticut.

I would consider Connecticut to be New England's Second State. Massachusetts has Boston and New Jersey has neighboring NYC and Philly. Boston has sports, lots of young people, good schools, low crime, and a great seaport with many tourists. New Jersey and Connecticut are similar in some ways because their both mostly suburban with medium sized cities. New Jersey being Newark and Jersey City while Connecticut is Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport. Its depressing how Connecticut is often overlooked because we are squeezed between NYC and Boston so we lost many great opportunities. Connecticut has a good job market, excellent history (if Connecticut never existed, this country would be ALOT different *cough* we are the Constitution State), nice small towns and major cities, great casinos, nice beaches, beautiful mountains in the Northwest Hills, AND a corrupt government haha. But ONE vote for Connecticut!? We're heading to the slaughterhouse after this poll is over. Jeezzz....

You can thank Connecticut for the first color television, helicopter, modern day American Insurance, Frisbee, First Served Hamburger, Submarines, ESPN, Can Opener, the Constitution, Vacuum Cleaners, Anesthesia, FM radio, the first successful heart transplant, the first dictionary, first public art museum, first public park, and many many more.

I tried to convince you but look at the poll
Thanks New Joisssssy and MassACHEusetts.

[nep321]

I voted for Massachusetts, simply because it's a very diverse state in terms of different lifestyle offerings (urban vs. rural), beautiful scenery and a variety of towns and cities like no other state in the nation.

However, as a CT native, I think it deserves a lot more credit than it gets. It just happens to not have a major national/global city, so it gets overlooked. But IMO, CT has the BEST selection and variety of suburbs of any state in the nation. The widespread charm is very appealing, along with the beautiful scenery in the summer. Numerous charming town centers, forests, valleys and the CT river is beautiful. For such a tiny state, there is a LOT of scenic diversity, from the Litchfield hills to the shoreline to the CT river valley, etc. And, for such a tiny state there is a LOT of cultural variance. Southwestern CT culture is completely different from Central CT, which is completely different from eastern CT. CT is also a very diverse state, which lots of ancestries, ethnicities and cultures. In my opinion, it has the most "New England charm" of any state in New England, because the charm is very widespread, varied and continuous throughout the state. Other states like Maine or Vermont are way too rural all over. But CT strikes the perfect balance of urban and rural. It's just a very well rounded state overall. And most people don't have those annoying NY or Boston accents at all. With that said, CT is very suburban and would appeal mostly to families.

[JerseyGirl415]

Originally Posted by UrbanExplorer

Wow poor Connecticut.

I would consider Connecticut to be New England's Second State. Massachusetts has Boston and New Jersey has neighboring NYC and Philly. Boston has sports, lots of young people, good schools, low crime, and a great seaport with many tourists. New Jersey and Connecticut are similar in some ways because their both mostly suburban with medium sized cities. New Jersey being Newark and Jersey City while Connecticut is Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport. Its depressing how Connecticut is often overlooked because we are squeezed between NYC and Boston so we lost many great opportunities. Connecticut has a good job market, excellent history (if Connecticut never existed, this country would be ALOT different *cough* we are the Constitution State), nice small towns and major cities, great casinos, nice beaches, beautiful mountains in the Northwest Hills, AND a corrupt government haha. But ONE vote for Connecticut!? We're heading to the slaughterhouse after this poll is over. Jeezzz....

You can thank Connecticut for the first color television, helicopter, modern day American Insurance, Frisbee, First Served Hamburger, Submarines, ESPN, Can Opener, the Constitution, Vacuum Cleaners, Anesthesia, FM radio, the first successful heart transplant, the first dictionary, first public art museum, first public park, and many many more.

I tried to convince you but look at the poll
Thanks New Joisssssy and MassACHEusetts.

I'm shocked that NJ is in second place. We always get the hate.

CT is not getting hate at the moment here it's probably just not being acknowledged for what it is. Trust me I know the feeling.

[nep321]

Overall, it's a weird poll. All three states have strengths, weaknesses and rank rather similarly IMO. I just prefer CT and MA because they're in New England and I love New England. That's all.

[EconHusky]

Originally Posted by nep321

But IMO, CT has the BEST selection and variety of suburbs of any state in the nation.

[trim]

In my opinion, it has the most "New England charm" of any state in New England, because the charm is very widespread, varied and continuous throughout the state.

How does it have the best selection of suburbs? How do you define suburb? Most of CT is a "suburb" anyway by the definitions I see on here...a suburb of what? New York or Boston? Hartford- which is still a broken city? Maybe New Haven but that doesn't cover most of the state- too close to NYC.


Charm? That's all everyone in/from CT ever seems to say about CT in its defense. All I see are struggling small towns outside of southwestern areas. Seriously though, someone tell me what charm there is. I must be in the wrong parts of CT. It's not charming to hear how many of these small towns/suburbs/whatever you call them complaining that Connecticut has its charm and they want to leave but do not because of family. It's all about being east or west of the river, as it seems on these boards, which drives perspective. The great divide.

Also, it's not like Mass. or RI don't have New England charm. RI can't help being a midget but has the beautiful Westerly, Newport, Providence, and eastern side with Bristol (very patriotic town with a cute downtown and true patriotic New England culture). Western Mass. is just as cultured and "charming" as Connecticut, but happens to extend further out containing one of the best cities in the country and the pretty and fun Cape Cod.

Anyway, please give me an idea of what charm Connecticut has that is any greater or lesser than its New England neighbors. These forums have made me truly curious.

-

Originally Posted by UrbanExplorer

Wow poor Connecticut.
It's depressing how Connecticut is often overlooked because we are squeezed between NYC and Boston so we lost many great opportunities. Connecticut has a good job market, excellent history (if Connecticut never existed, this country would be ALOT different *cough* we are the Constitution State), nice small towns and major cities, great casinos, nice beaches, beautiful mountains in the Northwest Hills, AND a corrupt government haha. But ONE vote for Connecticut!? We're heading to the slaughterhouse after this poll is over. Jeezzz....

Good job market? Nope. One of the worst in the country.

Great casinos? How long have you spent over there?? Nononononono. They just about went bankrupt and have been on a downward spiral, hiding it well. Most of the people who go in there are regulars and it is just sad. People would be abusive toward my aunt at the blackjack table, as if their loss was her fault. Money is thrown away on stupid things that could do so much good elsewhere. People get this false sense that they can strike it rich in one night, that they have the luck, the right strategy, etc. They are usually wrong. Then the casino gives them a free room to keep them enticed and they blow more money at Starbucks the next morning and are full of excuses (reasons to go back and try again)... and who knows how many children have been lost in that place as parents are more concerned with gambling. It's all over the intercoms. Why do so many people praise this pit that brings out the worst in so many people?
That is, excluding concerts, of course- but there are plenty of stadiums and arenas.

AND yes, a corrupt government- beginning to be worse than RI. Womp.

Connecticut is overlooked for a reason and the government cares not, so that it will continue to be. Until the residents and government, both state and local, decide that they care about their reputation and the wellbeing of everyone across the state, it will remain a depressing state.