West Hartford, Connecticut
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Where City Style Meets Village Charm - 7/7/2009

West Hartford is a great big suburb next to a not-as-great little city. It has a somewhat diverse (at least as far as central Connecticut suburbs go) population, and a great town center where residents spend many summer nights on the greens and plaza. Compared to Simsbury and Farmington, the people here are not as snotty as one could expect. There is a great number of rich white people, but they are generally accepting and friendly towards people who aren't their carbon copy. Gay and lesbian lifestyles are accepted here without discrimination or hate, most people find respect. Housing is not exactly cheap, a decent studio or 1 br will put you out at least $800 a month. However, you can split a good 2 br for 900-1200 near the town center. Public transportation throughout the region is generally purposed for those who can't afford a car and a few environmentalists that live on their bus line. I took the bus for a month, my 10-15 minute drive to work or school would turn into an hour of carefully timed transfers and a lot of walking. It was also cheaper to just drive the car I already paid for. Overall, West Hartford is a wonderful place to raise kids (I heard from my very friendly neighbors that the schools are great, definitely some of the best in the state) and live as a young professional. There are a few colleges within the town itself, University of Hartford, UConn Hartford and St. Joseph's College for Women. Some complain that Hartford itself is boring, the nightlife is stagnant... it depends what you're looking for. Come visit first![more...]

West Hartford, CT - 5/4/2008

West Hartford is a well maintained community that is safe, attractive, and provides many amenities to the people who live here. Schools are rated among the best in the state and town services are extensive and well managed. The Town continues to redevelop itself and has become the "place to be" in central CT. Many new stores have opened recently including Whole Foods, REI, Cheesecake Factory, Crate & Barrel, Tiffany's, and others reflecting the continuing desireability of the area and Town. Restaurants in the Town Center thrive,especially now when the weather permits outdoor dining and the Center becomes the place to eat and walk about, meeting friends and enjoying the entertainment. Makes for great afternoon and evening excursions. This is a great place to live.[more...]

If you like to spend . . . - 8/2/2006

Outrageously high cost of living; Property taxes pose excessive burdens, and local government is wholly incapable of controlling any type of spending. School taxes are insane and getting worse. Town services are substantially less than what one might expect for this level of taxation. Consumer services (home improvements, auto maintenance, etc.) are priced well above national averages, and are notably higher than elsewhere within the metro Hartford region. Utility costs are ridiculous, due mostly to this state's complete lack of any legitimate energy planning or growth management policies. Grocery prices are criminally high, especially when you consider the archaic (old, beat-up, filthy) stores that sell them.[more...]

CT's middle ground - 7/23/2006

As a relative newcomer to WH, I see it as a middle ground in CT - not an NYC suburb(Greenwich etc), not a sprawling, McMansion, cars-only "town" (Farmington), not city, and not country. What's nice is that there are actually sidewalks and a town center here, unlike in other parts of Connecticut, where people live in giant homes on giant lots, turning farmland into giant suburbs. There is also a fair amount of ethnic and religious diversity, a good school district, and three major natural/organic grocery chains. Downside - I don't know if I'll ever be able to buy a home, even in WH's housing market, where the housing stock is more divers than other parts of CT.[more...]

West hartford public school systems is wonderful! - 7/14/2006

WHPS is an amazing education system. Both of our high schools, Conard and Hall High are on Newsweek TOP 1000 schools in the nation with Conard ranking somewhere in the 300 range, and Hall somewhere in the 600 range. Grad rates among students at both HS is at 96% with an 87% going to pursue further education in college![more...]