Why don't many view CT as part of New England? (Boston: real estate, condos)

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by btownboss4

101, Manchester to Portsmouth to New Ipswich.

Yes, that makes sense. I agree with that demarcation point for flatlanders 100% percent.

[SeaDoo342]

Originally Posted by tovarisch

I might be uniquely qualified to discuss this. I was born in New Haven, moved to the Boston suburbs at age two and grew up there. Then I returned to CT for college, and stayed on for a few years, after which I moved to Northampton, MA, where I still am. I have traveled all over NE, including northern Maine, ALL of MA, ALL of CT, much of NH and VT and RI and ME. Though of course there is always more to see. So: my conclusion is that NE is indeed its own region, and that only the sports team fandom challenges that, along with the NYC-suburb quality of SOME of CT's Fairfield County (but even there, the folks see themselves as New Englanders, and the terrain and architecture, etc. look like the rest of NE, as others above have said). We are one of the most clearly defined regions in the US, and have more similarities than differences. Other than western CT, BTW, virtually the entire region, including VT, follows the Pats and the Sox, when you look at natives.

"Some" of Fairfield County? Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties are all served by Metro North and are part of the NYC metro... and > half of the state's population resides there..

[LexWest]

Folks, there's more to New England than just Boston and MA. If the voting from Northern Pass taught anyone an example, NH is close to MA but not its subordinate.

When you close your eyes and ask people to picture New England, they think Mountains, covered bridges, fall foliage, colonial history, quaint cities or towns with villages or centers, lighthouses, seafood, maple syrup, rocky beaches, hidden lakes, and yes, Boston. But more importantly not just Boston. Much of New England is not Boston centric. Sure, they root for the Boston teams because they're local, sometimes they'll go to concerts, but in reality, most people aren't going to have a life around Boston unless they're in and around Rte.128/I-95, mostly, I-495, and to some extent towns near the Mass border east of Worcester county. There's a broader term for New Englanders than life in Cities, quite a few aren't city people at all, but enjoy nature and outdoor activities, as well.

I count CT (and VT) as part of New England. Whether CT residents agree is up to them.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by LexWest

Folks, there's more to New England than just Boston and MA. If the voting from Northern Pass taught anyone an example, NH is close to MA but not its subordinate.

When you close your eyes and ask people to picture New England, they think Mountains, covered bridges, fall foliage, colonial history, quaint cities or towns with villages or centers, lighthouses, seafood, maple syrup, rocky beaches, hidden lakes, and yes, Boston. But more importantly not just Boston. Much of New England is not Boston centric. Sure, they root for the Boston teams because they're local, sometimes they'll go to concerts, but in reality, most people aren't going to have a life around Boston unless they're in and around Rte.128/I-95, mostly, I-495, and to some extent towns near the Mass border east of Worcester county. There's a broader term for New Englanders than life in Cities, quite a few aren't city people at all, but enjoy nature and outdoor activities, as well.

I count CT (and VT) as part of New England. Whether CT residents agree is up to them.

They all agree - even in the NYC metro.

[FCMA]

Too many Yankees fans west of the Connecticut River disqualifies most of CT as New England. The rest of the state is welcome to join the surly nihilist New Englander party.

[New Englander]

Geographically CT is very much part of New England, even towns Fairfield County towns like Greenwich, Westport and Fairfield have RTM type of government. Towns in Fairfield County are in many ways linked to Boston/New England from the town greens with seeple churches to the pre-revolutionary houses.

I'm someone who was born raised in Boston and recently moved down to Fairfield CT.

However, the reality is that the New York City and it's influence has infected Fairfield County ranging from abrasive personalities to NY style driving (worse than Boston; although Boston's pretty bad as well). Can you tell how I feel about New York

It's difficult for me to tell how many New Yorkers have moved to Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties, however their influence is palpable. It's a net negative because NYC may be an economic/influential powerhouse, however the quality of life is absolutely terrible there. The quaintness (serene country villages) and uniqueness (even in aging mill towns there is a certain charm) of NE becomes lost when New Yorkers take over. Unfortunately, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket suffer from the same affliction, although it is seasonal, thankfully.

[rethcir]

Too many expat New Yorkers/people who spend 80 hrs a week in NYC. Too many yankee/giants fans.

[missionhill]

Connecticut, Mass and Rhode Island are three peas in a pod. Some subtle differences among the peas but not enough to get worked up over. New York is more different— the Dutch roots, lack of Puritans and some other things. But not as different as Virginia or Texas to name two. New England is a pretty stong identity and I’d say the people who move over to Connecticut from New York become New Englanders rather than make that part of NE into NY. Boston today is full of people who came from elsewhere, but it’s still Boston isn’t it? Those newcomers take on the Boston way of life.

[xo_kizzy_xo]

Originally Posted by SeaDoo342

"Some" of Fairfield County? Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties are all served by Metro North and are part of the NYC metro... and > half of the state's population resides there..

My husband's job took him to FF County last year. I'd say from New Haven to Stamford may geographically be New England, but it definitely has a huge NYC influence. Given that NYC is closer than Boston in that area, it makes sense.

[Boston_Burbs]

If you dont get NESN on your cable package, not New England.

If you get your local news from a non-New England State, not New England (I am looking at you Berkshire County).

When I get Yankee Magazine I tend to skip the articles from CT.