What Are the Pros and Cons of Relocating to Connecticut?

Connecticut is home to slightly over 3.5 million people.

It’s one of the smallest states in the country.

However, the small size doesn’t necessarily mean the state has less to offer to anyone thinking of relocating.

Of course, there’s the good side and bad side of settling there.

So, What Are the Pros and Cons of Relocating to Connecticut?

They are numerous. Besides the stunning fall foliage, which is like no other, the state offers a small-town living experience that’s rare on the northeastern coastline. Sadly, it is one of the most expensive states in America.

Let’s get a little deeper:

The Pros Of Moving To Connecticut

Here is why we’d all move to the Nutmeg State:

1. Bountiful beauty

With its coastal cities and upcountry terrain dotted with mid sized towns,

Connecticut is undeniably one of the stunning areas to live on the northeastern part of the east coast.

The scenic landscapes stretching from the shoreline of the Long Island shoreline to the Taconic Range (Mt. Frissell being the highest point in the state) gives any explorative person a reason to live settle in there.

Regardless of where you choose to live in Connecticut, you are always going to be just 2 hours from the ocean, meaning you can access the beach at almost any time you want.

Besides playing on the beach, you get to visit popular attractions like Hammonasset Beach State Park, Calif Pasture Beach, and Ocean Beach Park in Norwalk.

If you are an avid hiker, then the Appalachian Trail will be your must-go weekend thrill spot.

2. Well-educated inhabitants

Whether you are looking for stimulating conversations or professionals, you won’t search far and wide.

There are plenty of impressive schools in the state plus a nationally respected education system and a community of excellent community colleges.

Yale University, an Ivy-League research center, is located in New Haven and has produced a fair share of America’s prominent politicians, businessmen, and professionals.

3. Great food for tasty outings

Did you know the hamburger was born in Connecticut? Now you know.

Still, you can drop in one of the many eating joints filling the state’s cities and towns – Louis’ Lunch in the bustling New Haven, for example – to gobble up the original hamburger and a drink of your choice.

Also, Connecticut is home to many breweries and pizzerias that could excite even the most curious gourmands that may visit the state.

For example, the Connecticut-exclusive Apizza, a crispy, coal-cooked delight is a kind of pizza you haven’t tasted anywhere else in the United States.

The shoreline is dotted with plenty of seafood joints as well.

4. Rich culture and history

Connecticut is sometimes referred to as the Constitution State, rightfully so if you know its history.

The state was among the first 13 colonies that made up the United. States.

Today, it still circulates America’s oldest continuously running newspaper – the Courant.

The rich history of Connecticut created the need for museums, the most notable being the Mashantucket Pequot Research Center and Museum.

There are even more bizarre relics to visit, like the Zaffiss Museum of the Paranormal.

5. The fall colors are a marvel.

The fall foliage you see in Connecticut during the fall is unlike any other in the U.S.

At any time between late August and late October, you can get out to explore the quiet rolling hills and winding roads snaking their way through the yellow, brown, orange, and red backwoods.

You may need to dedicate a lot of time to this because there’s no way you wouldn’t want to go shopping or organize a special diner around this time.

Here is a guide to finding the most colorful foliage.

6. Lots of entertainment establishments.

If you are into performing arts, you will never regret settling in Connecticut. College Streets Music Hall in New Haven is the place to be.

Artists have been flocking here since 2015.

Today, the Hall is a stopping point for artists traveling between New York and Boston

Live music is a common sight in the state, thanks to the numerous small clubs distributed in virtually all major towns and cities here.

Some of these clubs have a historical significance – chances are you’ve already heard of them from outside Connecticut. A good example is Sidedoor Jazz Club located in Old Lyme.

An average city in this state boasts about two establishments of performance, all of which feature such events as open mic nights and poetry.

After a long week at work or home, you can drop in one of these to meet with friends or refresh your mind for the next week.

7. The famous Connecticut Wine Trail and craft breweries are an adventure in their own right

It is understandable that California, Colorado, and Washington, are the top wine-growing states in America but Connecticut is up and coming to earn a spot on the list.

With the famous Wine Trail, Connecticut is among the fastest rising wine regions in the country – you can visit excess of 25 different wineries.

Whether you choose to start from Goshen or Litchfield Hills, you get to sample numerous bottles and enjoy the state’s environment however long the time allows.

Craft breweries are aplenty as well.

If you are a fan of beers, you’ll want to settle anywhere that gives you fast access to Stratford’s Two Road Brewing Company or Hartford’s City Steam Brewery.

You’ll also find many microbreweries and local pubs throughout the state.

Beer tasting is a common affair here, and you’ll many fundraisers and festivals that involve beers.

8. Peaceful small-town experience.

The state offers a small-town living experience made possible by numerous quintessential towns sprinkled throughout the state’s countryside.

With a population of just 144,000, Bridgeport is the most populous community here.

Several counties here have no city in them, good examples being Windham and Tolland.

9. New York City and Boston are nearby

If you like to make fun trips every weekend to big cities, you will appreciate that Boston and New York City are nearby.

Manhattan is about 100 miles away from any location in Connecticut – it’s so close you can commute.

The best thing is that you don’t need to drive all the time.

You can hop on a train and take a 3-hour trip to the Big Apple. Two roads – I-90 and I-84 – connects you to Boston.

If you like to make long car trips, then Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Baltimore are well within your reach from anywhere in the state.

10. Low crime rate

The crime rate in Connecticut keeps declining.

Today, the ratio of crime incidents to residents stands at 20:1000, one of the lowest in America.

The Drawbacks of Moving To Connecticut

There are just 3 major drawbacks of moving to Connecticut:

  • the high cost of living
  • traffic jams
  • and having to deal with highly militarized police:

1. High cost of living

According to the data analyzed by World Population Review, Connecticut comes 9th on the cost of living index out of 127.7.

Lots of other sources recognize the state as of the most expensive places to live in America.

The cost of housing is particularly higher than other essentials.

Food and taxes are exorbitant as well.

2. Traffic congestion

The state’s highways are known for endemic traffic snarl-ups, more so during the rush hour parts of the day.

Commuting to work can be an ordeal as well.

3. Unfriendly police

The law enforcement agencies in Connecticut are frequently accused of ethnic profiling.

This means the state may not be a great place for you if you are part of the minority communities in America.

Also, the police are overly militarized – that’s not beautiful.

Conclusion

So what are the pros and cons of relocating to Connecticut?

They are countless. Connecticut is undeniably one of the stunning areas to live on the northeastern part of the east coast. It has a rich culture and history.

The state was among the first 13 colonies that made up the United. States.

Today, it still circulates America’s oldest continuously running newspaper – the Courant.

However, the high cost of living and traffic jams may give one a good reason not to relocate to the state.

References

7 Advantages of Living in Connecticut 

19 Biggest Pros and Cons of Living in Connecticut 

Moving To Connecticut? (The Truth About Living Here)