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Ryan A. living

West Hartford quality of life -am I missing something?

OK so Household incomes average around $125,616 in West Hartford. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What would you do?
6 upvotes

16 Replies

Jack R.
this is the way
36 upvotes
Chloe Wright
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Scarlett Moore
noted, appreciate it
32 upvotes
Paisley Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in The Heights for 11 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are better than expected. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Laura R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in The Heights for 1 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
austin_delilah
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
21 upvotes
Bella Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.

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.
20 upvotes
Hailey L.
lol so true
19 upvotes
Jacob Morris
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Westside area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Jack Parker
Moved here last year, no regrets.
16 upvotes
Savannah Reyes
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Leo Jimenez
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Joseph F.
honestly same experience here
7 upvotes
Peyton Edwards
I've lived in Highland for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The safety scene is improving

The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Ann P.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The safety is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Matthew C.
thanks for sharing
0 upvotes
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