Been meaning to ask this. I'm originally from Charlotte and Crime rate is something to consider -Hartford sits at 64.7 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
8 upvotes
11 Replies
Carson Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 39, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
36 upvotes
Catherine T.
glad someone said it
35 upvotes
Kaylee Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Mia Kim
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Lillian Thomas
I work in real estate here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is improving. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Isla Phillips
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much growing but now it's excellent.
16 upvotes
Axel Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Natalie Perez
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in South area are solid. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
portland_carter
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Tampa it's challenging.
13 upvotes
Adrian
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great BBQ places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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