Life in Connecticut features traditional New England villages, shoreline beaches and urban skylines. Undoubtedly, the 'Nutmeg State' (as it is often called, due to the Connecticut peddlers who used to travel around selling nutmegs) is an appealing place to live. This New England State is the sole suburban area to the Big Apple. It has a prosperous business center with outstanding colleges, modern expressways and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Connecticut has numerous state supported universities and colleges, along with several private schools. This is why life in Connecticut is synonymous with educational excellence. As well as conventional private and public schools, Connecticut has magnet and charter schools too, so parents are spoiled for choice.
In the wealthy suburb of Greater Hartford, the cost of living is more than the US average; however it is similar to other Northeastern metropolises. Hartford's cost of living rating in 2011 was 127.40, with 100 being the national average. On average, Hartford residents spend under twenty-five minutes commuting to work, and enjoy clear skies and warm weather during the summer. West Hartford has lots of amenities, an average household income of almost $79,000, and a student/teacher ratio of only thirteen to one. Average rent and home prices are $1077 and $317,400 respectively.
In Stamford, there are only 1934 crimes committed for every 100,000 people, so it is an extremely safe community. This appeals to both commuters and residents, of which there are many. Indeed, this city is home to nine Fortune 1000 firms, four Fortune 500 firms and thirteen Courant firms. This makes it the New York Metro’s biggest financial center, outside of the Big Apple itself.
Middletown is the focal point of Middlesex County. This city is modest in size. However, it boasts open spaces and big parks, a historic downtown, and many eateries and other attractions.
Danbury, sometimes referred to as 'Hat City', has a celebrated tradition as a hat making center. Nonetheless, it is probably more famous for being home to the University of Western Connecticut State. This city has some of the state's highest average home and rent prices, and the student/teacher ratio is only thirteen to one.
Located in the Berkshire Mountain foothills, Ridgefield is a picturesque and charming town, famous across the state for the exceptional dining options and outstanding schools available. Residents of Ridgefield enjoy a good quality of life overall, which is evidenced by their $116,597 average household income. Average rent and home prices are among the state's highest. Average rents in Ridgefield are $1570, and average house prices are $719,500. This is reflective of the town's appeal. Also, with only 271 crimes committed for every 100,000 people, Ridgefield ranks among the safest areas of Connecticut.
Life in Connecticut is not all positive though. There is a massive disparity in income inequality, with the gulf most noticeable when comparing the state's capital Hartford, with southern towns such as Greenwich and New Canaan. Also, compared to the national average, costs for businesses are fourteen percent higher. This is partly explained by the cost of energy, which is seventy-two percent higher than in America as a whole.
Nonetheless, the Nutmeg State still scores highly in terms of quality of life. This is due to the low poverty and crime rates, good schools and healthy population. Thanks to its' low student/teacher ratios and high average household incomes, life in Connecticut is far better for many residents than it is in other areas of the US.
Connecticut has numerous state supported universities and colleges, along with several private schools. This is why life in Connecticut is synonymous with educational excellence. As well as conventional private and public schools, Connecticut has magnet and charter schools too, so parents are spoiled for choice.
In the wealthy suburb of Greater Hartford, the cost of living is more than the US average; however it is similar to other Northeastern metropolises. Hartford's cost of living rating in 2011 was 127.40, with 100 being the national average. On average, Hartford residents spend under twenty-five minutes commuting to work, and enjoy clear skies and warm weather during the summer. West Hartford has lots of amenities, an average household income of almost $79,000, and a student/teacher ratio of only thirteen to one. Average rent and home prices are $1077 and $317,400 respectively.
In Stamford, there are only 1934 crimes committed for every 100,000 people, so it is an extremely safe community. This appeals to both commuters and residents, of which there are many. Indeed, this city is home to nine Fortune 1000 firms, four Fortune 500 firms and thirteen Courant firms. This makes it the New York Metro’s biggest financial center, outside of the Big Apple itself.
Middletown is the focal point of Middlesex County. This city is modest in size. However, it boasts open spaces and big parks, a historic downtown, and many eateries and other attractions.
Danbury, sometimes referred to as 'Hat City', has a celebrated tradition as a hat making center. Nonetheless, it is probably more famous for being home to the University of Western Connecticut State. This city has some of the state's highest average home and rent prices, and the student/teacher ratio is only thirteen to one.
Located in the Berkshire Mountain foothills, Ridgefield is a picturesque and charming town, famous across the state for the exceptional dining options and outstanding schools available. Residents of Ridgefield enjoy a good quality of life overall, which is evidenced by their $116,597 average household income. Average rent and home prices are among the state's highest. Average rents in Ridgefield are $1570, and average house prices are $719,500. This is reflective of the town's appeal. Also, with only 271 crimes committed for every 100,000 people, Ridgefield ranks among the safest areas of Connecticut.
Life in Connecticut is not all positive though. There is a massive disparity in income inequality, with the gulf most noticeable when comparing the state's capital Hartford, with southern towns such as Greenwich and New Canaan. Also, compared to the national average, costs for businesses are fourteen percent higher. This is partly explained by the cost of energy, which is seventy-two percent higher than in America as a whole.
Nonetheless, the Nutmeg State still scores highly in terms of quality of life. This is due to the low poverty and crime rates, good schools and healthy population. Thanks to its' low student/teacher ratios and high average household incomes, life in Connecticut is far better for many residents than it is in other areas of the US.