My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 21.4%, which is higher than I expected. With a population of 120K, Hartford is a mid-size city. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
43 upvotes
11 Replies
Aurora Walker
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
37 upvotes
John Clark
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The dating scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Allison Turner
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Aaron Allen
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Catherine R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 36, moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Sunset and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Raleigh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
20 upvotes
Matthew Morgan
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
17 upvotes
brielle_life
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The walkability is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
sf_savannah
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
14 upvotes
Leonardo Ramirez
Totally agree!
7 upvotes
Isla
yep
2 upvotes
Leah Nelson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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