Connecticut Freepers - where to live in Hartford? (VANITY)

May 30, 2002 | Self

[Eugene Tackleberry]

Fellow Connecticut Freepers: I will likely be attending law school in Hartford at the University of Connecticut this fall. I will be looking for an apartment to rent in Hartford. I know nothing about the city, and have not even visited the school yet, so I'm not sure where in Hartford to start looking for a place. I would appreciate any thoughts on places to live in Hartford. Walking distance to UConn would be nice but is not necessary. Ideally, I'd like to live somewhere that is walking distance to restaurants, coffee shops, book stores, etc., has many younger professionals and singles (Upper West Side of Manhattan or South End of Boston come to mind for other cities I've lived in) and is relatively safe, but I am open to all suggestions and not sure what Hartford has to offer. I tend to prefer the conveniences of larger apartment complexes to more spacious or charming townhouse/brownstone type places.

Thanks for any and all info. Regards, ET.

[Eugene Tackleberry]

LoneGOPinCT, wondering if would do me the favor of bumping your CT Bump List?

[Peach]

West Hartford is very nice and only a short bus ride away from the school. Or try an apartment along Asylum or Farmington Avenue in Hartford. When I left CT 4 years ago that area was borderline rough but am not sure what it's like today. West Hartford is a quaint New England town, safe, lots of bookstores, coffee shops and singles, etc. Good luck.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I'll help ya out ET....... calling Ms. 2Trievers!!!! Could'ja help out this fella?

[mlmr]

I am from West Hartford with generations of family roots there. West Hartford is ok but the farther from Hartford, the better. Pay more and find better roomates. You dont need to be that near Hartford, it is not a party town and it is crime ridden and nasy. That is why I live in Maine.

[Eugene Tackleberry]

Thanks for replying so quickly - I am going in blind so every little bit helps...

[Halcontent]

Try just outside Hartford to the North. Windsor, Ct.

[2Trievers]

DO NOT live in Hartford ... REPEAT ... do not look for a place in Hartford! It lost its viability 30 years ago. It is dead!

You are much better off in a 'burb and busing if you have to. The west end of Hartford isn't crime free ... but your best bet if you are determined to live in the capitol.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

I was in Hartford a couple of weeks ago, for the first time in 15 years, and I was shocked at the overall degeneration of the downtown area. Not a place I'd like to be at night, even with my (legally carried) pistol. As for East Hartford or New Britain, FORGET IT!!! The suggestion about going North (even as far as Windsor Locks) is a good one, I think. Still pretty rural and small-town New England, unlike the bigger cities (especially stay out of New Haven and Bridgeport). Democratic rule has destroyed most of the cities in Connecticut and Massachusetts- and you are not immune from being mugged or killed if you are a Democrat ("Oh, wait, don't hit me with that bat- I LOVE you inner-city people!")

If you MUST live close to the Law School, then probably the West Hartford / Farmington Avenue suggestions are good ones. But the only good thing about Hartford is that you can get to New York easily from there...

[The Electrician]

A lot of suggestions here that are pretty much on target. The area in which the Law School is located is actually fairly upscale, with some beautiful mansions nearby. But urban decay and all of its problems are close by, with no natural barriers, and so, sadly, the neighborhood of the school is probably not what you want. As others have said, West Hartford is pretty nice (I'm biased, having grown up there), and West Hartford Center has shops and restaurants, and a bus line that will take you close to the school, but not shops and restaurants to the extent that you would find them in Beantown. It's more like Newton or Wellesley, Mass. than it is like the South End of Boston. Yes, there are small pockets of urban homesteaders in Hartford, but despite attempts, the gentrification has not taken hold the way that it has in Boston's South End. And, like others have said, if you can get a car, then Farmington, Simsbury, Avon, etc. are very nice...

[LoneGOPinCT]

Here you go my FRiend!

CT Bump!

If any one would like to be removed from my CT Bump list, please let me know and it will be done ASAP. Conversely, if you would like to be added the same holds true.

[LoneGOPinCT]

Eugene, if you MUST be within walking distance stick with the far west end or West Hartford. There are some decent sized apartment buildings in the area but you won't find anything like in Manhattan or the South End of Boston. There are pockets of development here and there throughout the rest of the city which look appealing but the surrounding areas are still the same old Hartford so if you find a quaint restored townhouse, take a drive around the area to see what the fringes look like. I would suggest, unless absolutely necessary to stay right in the area, try Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Newington, or Windsor (basic suburbia) away from the Hartford line. It's relatively slim pickens inside the city line.

[Ol' Sox]

I've gone to school in Hartford and lived in Hartford and I have to stand with the others - commuting is your best bet. 25 years ago, I bought a property in the north end of the city, near Keany Park, beautiful 10 room colonial. Myself and a few other young folk were trying to "gentrify" the neighborhood. After one next-door-neighbor was shot in the throat at a church bingo game, and I was attacked by my other next-door-neighbor with a knife, I decided that the drama quotient of the investment was just a bit much. Sold that dog and haven't looked back. Best of luck to you, though!

[Eugene Tackleberry]

Thanks!

[N. Theknow]

Couldn't help but notice that quite a few of your words are polysyllabic. This does not bode well for finding an (ahem) "inexpensive" domicile in the 1300 block of Main Street.

[PaulJ]

You might want to CHECK HERE.
The biggest problem with the area is the short distance that a neighborhood can change. In other words, there are rat-infested ghettos two miles from multi-million dollar mansions in the U-Conn area. And unless you're familiar with the area, you could be in trouble. For instance, a lot of the above suggestions recommend Farmington Ave. It's a fine street, but it's 30 some-odd miles long. And an apt. on Farmington Ave in West Htfd or the West End of Htfd is quite a bit different from one a mile north by Aetna.
I'll tell you what; do some scouting around and if you find a place that looks nice, freep mail me and I'll try to fill you in.

[George from New England]

Negative on the Windsor idea. Most of Windsor and Bloomfield have gone the way of the north end of Hartford. West Hartford is probably the best option.

[MrNeutron1962]

I'd rent in Burlington, Canton, Or Colinsville and commute the 15 miles or so. Farmington and Simsbury are very nice, but very pricey. If you want a longer drive, consider the greater Torrington area. Hartford is a complete dump, avoid it like the plague. If you want night life, don't come to Connecticut.

[LoneGOPinCT]

Couldn't help but notice that quite a few of your words are polysyllabic. This does not bode well for finding an (ahem) "inexpensive" domicile in the 1300 block of Main Street.

Yo, you talkin' smack G? I'll bus' a cap in yo a$$! :^)