Crime rate is something to consider -East Hartford sits at 152.5 per 100K. Household incomes average around $66,943 in East Hartford. The median home value here is around $215,400, which is actually reasonable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
8 upvotes
24 Replies
Vivian Ross
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
John W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Hailey Morgan
lol so true
36 upvotes
Isabella C.
This.
34 upvotes
Eli N.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
34 upvotes
Isabella Cruz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 2 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Samuel Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Elijah Kelly
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
31 upvotes
Kennedy Roberts
preach
30 upvotes
Jameson K.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Meadowbrook area are excellent. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Kai J.
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Gianna R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Tampa it's tough.
20 upvotes
Arianna Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 13 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Cameron Rogers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 5 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Colton Brooks
Came here for work and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Adrian R.
noted, appreciate it
16 upvotes
Roman
not my experience at all
14 upvotes
Elijah Myers
Bought a house here in 2022 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
13 upvotes
Weston Chavez
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much manageable but now it's average.
8 upvotes
Amelia Stewart
spot on
5 upvotes
Mason J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Diego about 6 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Ezra Thomas
glad someone said it
3 upvotes
Lillian B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Downtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
3 upvotes
Kenneth S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
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