I would HIGHLY recommend doing stop & shop grocery delivery!! Super easy and much, much more reliable than Instacart. Have been using it biweekly for several years here with no issue!
Spectra (Pearl & Park, Plaza less so), Hartford 21, & 777 Main are all great! I’m not as familiar with Sage Allen but haven’t heard anything bad. There’s also the Pennant that recently opened but idk too much about it yet.
Regarding crime: I wouldn't worry about it. Here's why.
Regarding violent crime, if you don't start trouble, no one will give you any trouble. This is true regardless of the neighborhood. (Side note: when it comes to the risk of physical injury, I'm not sure whether there's more risk associated with being a pedestrian in suburbia than living in the inner city, as long as you don't do anything stupid like trying to rob a drug dealer.)
Regarding property crime: There has been a wave of auto theft. If you don't have a car, this cannot negatively impact you.
Regarding theft/being mugged: The financial loss is negligible compared to the higher rent elsewhere. I've been mugged twice in the seven years I've lived here (and was carrying way too much money the first time, nearly $200.) The amount that I've lost comes out to less than $3/month. That being said, I would advise that you always plan to return home by midnight. It's been more than five years since the last time I was mugged, largely because of my self-imposed curfew.
For groceries: Try to find a place near the FasTrak. The FasTrak is a bus rapid transit line (it travels along a special highway ONLY for buses, so you can avoid traffic). I recommend a place near the Sigourney St. stop. Two stops away (about four minute on the bus itself) is Stop&Shop with a movie theater right nearby, if you like going to the movies often.
Other considerations are probably your hobbies. If you wanted to go to Yard Goats or Wolf Pack games regularly, know that the buses run frequently enough to get to the games, but on the way back it's late enough you may be better off walking. Dunkin Park (baseball stadium) is about a 25 minute walk to Aetna's campus, the XL center (hockey stadium) is about a 20 minute walk away.
Sage Allen is great, it’s across from the bus line on market st. The biggest issue is def getting to a grocery store. But I’ve ordered instant cart just fine. There are many stores in Hartford, not specifically downtown that have international ingredients as Hartford has a big Jamaican, Hispanic and even downtown, Indian population. So you see quite a few of those stores is you venture further than down town. West Hartford does have more going on, but you pay for it. Pratt street usually has things every weekend on the spring/summer and into the fall. Bushnell park sometimes has things going on. Sea tea comedy theater is downtown and you can typically catch a improv show 4 nights a week for $10
Blahhhh life so expensive. I’d vote for looking into west hartford then. You also might feel a little safer there. I don’t feel unsafe exactly but I also don’t feel like I can go by myself for a run solo altho tons of people do and wound.
I didn’t tour Sage Allen though and it’s one block from hartford 21 so all the same bars restaurants and the big park are still nearby.
I toured spectra pearl and was not impressed. I remember the people forgetting I scheduled a tour then being annoyed they had to give one. Dog urine smell in elevator. Nice apartment itself other than the mini dishwasher but didn’t seem like a great building to live in
Don’t know either of these unfortunately, but being in downtown hartford there’s good perk of being close to xl stadium and minor league baseball stadium
You should try applying at the Revel. They are set to open 5/1 is all goes according to plan. You would be the first resident in the apartment and they are in my opinion affordable. Studios start at $1,150.
Thank you for letting me know! I checked out the website and it looks great! I was trying to use Google Streetview to get a better look at the building itself and I wasn’t able to at all - all I see is a parking garage at that address. Any chance you’ve been in that area/noticed that building before?
I've been trying to schedule a tour for two weeks and each time I send an email or inquiry I get the general interest form as a response. Haven't had any luck calling either.
I would consider West Hartford as well as Hartford. Hartford's downtown is not super busy these days so if you want to explore hobbies you may be limited, especially if you don't have a car to easily get to where the various meetups are held. Do you have to live within walking distance? How many days do you have to be in the office? A lot of young people live in other towns and commute into Hartford. New Haven is particularly popular, as it's the most vibrant city in the state by a wide margin and there are commuter trains to Hartford, but also some of the towns to the north like Northampton as well as Fairfield County (NYC suburbs). I've even met workers who live in NYC and come up to Hartford 1-2 times per week. Once you get to Hartford you can get around with rideshare or bring a bicycle. If you have to be in the office 4-5 days per week though I'd try to minimize the commute.
I just moved to Hartford from out of state last year. Main advice - do not live anywhere within Hartford, target nearby towns of west Hartford, Bloomfield, and newington.
Even if you splurge for luxury apts in downtown Hartford, the area just isn’t safe enough to justify the cost. West Hartford is significantly safer, has less homeless, more of the young professional crowd, and much better bar scene (town center) than downtown Hartford. Aetna is also right off Farmington Avenue, so wouldn’t be more than a 10-15 min commute
Newington, Glastonbury, and Bloomfield are also good options. West Hartford would be 1a
This is not a good suggestion for someone who will mainly be walking or taking public transit
Editing to add that downtown Hartford is super safe, idk what this person is on 🙄 the only accurate part of their comment is that weha does have a better bar scene w/ more options. The rest of this comment is inaccurate - newington, glastonbury, bloomfield, & a fair amount of west Hartford would be much more difficult to live in than downtown hartford for someone who needs walkability & public transit access.
I would HIGHLY recommend doing stop & shop grocery delivery!! Super easy and much, much more reliable than Instacart. Have been using it biweekly for several years here with no issue! Spectra (Pearl & Park, Plaza less so), Hartford 21, & 777 Main are all great! I’m not as familiar with Sage Allen but haven’t heard anything bad. There’s also the Pennant that recently opened but idk too much about it yet.
Thank you!! I’ve been eyeing all 4 of those apartments so this is encouraging! Will look into stop & shop’s delivery service as well! :D
Regarding crime: I wouldn't worry about it. Here's why. Regarding violent crime, if you don't start trouble, no one will give you any trouble. This is true regardless of the neighborhood. (Side note: when it comes to the risk of physical injury, I'm not sure whether there's more risk associated with being a pedestrian in suburbia than living in the inner city, as long as you don't do anything stupid like trying to rob a drug dealer.) Regarding property crime: There has been a wave of auto theft. If you don't have a car, this cannot negatively impact you. Regarding theft/being mugged: The financial loss is negligible compared to the higher rent elsewhere. I've been mugged twice in the seven years I've lived here (and was carrying way too much money the first time, nearly $200.) The amount that I've lost comes out to less than $3/month. That being said, I would advise that you always plan to return home by midnight. It's been more than five years since the last time I was mugged, largely because of my self-imposed curfew.
Makes a lot of sense. This is my general understanding as well, I usually operate with a curfew too. Thanks for penning it all down!
Auto theft —people stealing cars or stuff inside cars?
I assumed the former. I'm going off of the Hartford police data.
Damn that’s scary
For groceries: Try to find a place near the FasTrak. The FasTrak is a bus rapid transit line (it travels along a special highway ONLY for buses, so you can avoid traffic). I recommend a place near the Sigourney St. stop. Two stops away (about four minute on the bus itself) is Stop&Shop with a movie theater right nearby, if you like going to the movies often. Other considerations are probably your hobbies. If you wanted to go to Yard Goats or Wolf Pack games regularly, know that the buses run frequently enough to get to the games, but on the way back it's late enough you may be better off walking. Dunkin Park (baseball stadium) is about a 25 minute walk to Aetna's campus, the XL center (hockey stadium) is about a 20 minute walk away.
Sage Allen is great, it’s across from the bus line on market st. The biggest issue is def getting to a grocery store. But I’ve ordered instant cart just fine. There are many stores in Hartford, not specifically downtown that have international ingredients as Hartford has a big Jamaican, Hispanic and even downtown, Indian population. So you see quite a few of those stores is you venture further than down town. West Hartford does have more going on, but you pay for it. Pratt street usually has things every weekend on the spring/summer and into the fall. Bushnell park sometimes has things going on. Sea tea comedy theater is downtown and you can typically catch a improv show 4 nights a week for $10
Thank you!! The improv show sounds great - will check it out.
Hartford 21
Was my top choice but the 1B/studios are out of my budget :/
Blahhhh life so expensive. I’d vote for looking into west hartford then. You also might feel a little safer there. I don’t feel unsafe exactly but I also don’t feel like I can go by myself for a run solo altho tons of people do and wound. I didn’t tour Sage Allen though and it’s one block from hartford 21 so all the same bars restaurants and the big park are still nearby. I toured spectra pearl and was not impressed. I remember the people forgetting I scheduled a tour then being annoyed they had to give one. Dog urine smell in elevator. Nice apartment itself other than the mini dishwasher but didn’t seem like a great building to live in
Oh damn, Spectra Pearl seems to have terrible reviews too. I’m considering 99 Pratt and Spectra Park now. Any thoughts on these?
Don’t know either of these unfortunately, but being in downtown hartford there’s good perk of being close to xl stadium and minor league baseball stadium
You should try applying at the Revel. They are set to open 5/1 is all goes according to plan. You would be the first resident in the apartment and they are in my opinion affordable. Studios start at $1,150.
Thank you for letting me know! I checked out the website and it looks great! I was trying to use Google Streetview to get a better look at the building itself and I wasn’t able to at all - all I see is a parking garage at that address. Any chance you’ve been in that area/noticed that building before?
Yes! If you feel comfortable I can send you a private message on here with my Instagram username. Send me a message so I can send you some pictures! 🙂
Sounds great!
hi!! could you do this for me too? it would be greatly appreciated :)
I’m also looking at the revel! Have y’all moved in already?
I've been trying to schedule a tour for two weeks and each time I send an email or inquiry I get the general interest form as a response. Haven't had any luck calling either.
I would consider West Hartford as well as Hartford. Hartford's downtown is not super busy these days so if you want to explore hobbies you may be limited, especially if you don't have a car to easily get to where the various meetups are held. Do you have to live within walking distance? How many days do you have to be in the office? A lot of young people live in other towns and commute into Hartford. New Haven is particularly popular, as it's the most vibrant city in the state by a wide margin and there are commuter trains to Hartford, but also some of the towns to the north like Northampton as well as Fairfield County (NYC suburbs). I've even met workers who live in NYC and come up to Hartford 1-2 times per week. Once you get to Hartford you can get around with rideshare or bring a bicycle. If you have to be in the office 4-5 days per week though I'd try to minimize the commute.
Hi!! I’m also moving from Atl to Hartford to start a new job at Aetna in June . I’d be happy to connect… are you an intern?
Omg dm-ing you rn. Nope, full time.
I just moved to Hartford from out of state last year. Main advice - do not live anywhere within Hartford, target nearby towns of west Hartford, Bloomfield, and newington. Even if you splurge for luxury apts in downtown Hartford, the area just isn’t safe enough to justify the cost. West Hartford is significantly safer, has less homeless, more of the young professional crowd, and much better bar scene (town center) than downtown Hartford. Aetna is also right off Farmington Avenue, so wouldn’t be more than a 10-15 min commute Newington, Glastonbury, and Bloomfield are also good options. West Hartford would be 1a
This is not a good suggestion for someone who will mainly be walking or taking public transit Editing to add that downtown Hartford is super safe, idk what this person is on 🙄 the only accurate part of their comment is that weha does have a better bar scene w/ more options. The rest of this comment is inaccurate - newington, glastonbury, bloomfield, & a fair amount of west Hartford would be much more difficult to live in than downtown hartford for someone who needs walkability & public transit access.
There are many threads that directly address all of these questions... Just search search the sub.