Household incomes average around $45,300 in Hartford. Poverty rate is 21.4%, which is higher than I expected. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
6 upvotes
7 Replies
Leonardo Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Jack Carter
I've lived in Midtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
mountain_lillian19
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Julian C.
yeah no that's not right
30 upvotes
Serenity Campbell
couldn't agree more
21 upvotes
Alexander Morales
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much stable but now it's hit or miss.
19 upvotes
Lily Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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