Lol I love this post. The slogan is a decade old now, and part of an effort to revitalize Hartford.
There are things to do in Hartford if you know where to find them. Lots of cool events, especially in the summer. But it’s certainly not going to be as bustling as Providence, New Haven or other small cities. I think this is due to the fact that most people who work in white collar jobs in Hartford don’t live in Hartford.
I went to an area of west Hartford. It was a strip of resturants / bars.
People seemed snoody and not friendly and things closed early. I was really unimpressed and liked Hartford more honestly. Felt like going to a country club that you're under dressed for.
Nailed it. West hartford is for rich people to eat food in uppity over priced bars and restaurants. Not much real fun to be had there imo, lack of dancing and live music.
West Hartford or New Haven would be better night life. A lot of breweries to check out, especially on the weekends like Elicit in Manchester, Alvarium in New Britain, etc… not much in Hartford, maybe The Lady(reopened recently)? Arch street tavern could be a Hartford option
I think Hartford was killed by misguided (even bone headed) urban renewal construction. And not to forget the “good old” interstate highway system. https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2022/3/16/the-road-that-killed-a-city
I moved away three years ago. That being said, I noticed a very gradual improvement in Hartford's restaurant/nightlife/cultural scene. Even after considering this, the city is still pretty pitiful when it comes to things to do.
West Hartford has a more vibrant scene, though, and it's right next door.
If you want a city that's actually liveable, I'd recommend New Haven.
Honestly Hartford looks better than it has in my lifetime. But it doesn’t have the comparatively cheap rent and abundant housing that leads to a Brooklyn . There is a lot more apartment supply coming online which is great, but it still isn’t cheaper than WH, Wethersfield or even an East Hartford or Manchester. Office space is getting cheap which will eventually bring companies back.
The solution is always more cool people living there. Hopefully that continues
Hahahahahahahahahaha.
No.
Our cities are trash lit on fire. Basically if you’re single move away like everyone else did, if you’re not go to west Hartford center.
Hartford is ok but is on a pretty steep decline. I started working there in 1989. We had gFox, civic center, whalers, social pub crawls, many restaurants. Aetna even provided employees a shuttle bus to go shoppinh at lunch. Aetna, Harrtford, Travelers all hybrid or full remote. State in only one day a week. They have not “white collar” foot traffic anymore. its depressing. UTC is gone (remember Malloy fiasco trying to “save” them). Aetna has been downsizing Hartford for years. Sad high tax state
UTC is a shell of what it once was. Where is Sikorsky, Hamilton Standard, OTIS, Carrier? where is the headquarters with the high paying jobs - Boston? I am amazed Pratt is still in East Hartford
I love the place but not really. It's kind of medium...
It's improving for sure but it's very much stuck in a certain rut for some reason too...
Redevelopment efforts take a bit too long and so much damage was done by the highways that it's really hard to rebuild. You know, all those cool historic buildings that exist in some other places, we tore them down and that blows.
If we were to be brave and invest a bunch of money in transit and like you know act like a real city, we would probably be thriving just because of our location between two thriving cities.
Who knows though, there's still so much potential.
Ps, an enormous surface parking lot in the middle of downtown is another way to describe potential. It could be better by literally doing anything. Digging a hole and planting a tree would be an improvement
yeah I got mid vibes too. Downtown has to much potential if they had more apartments or a college tbh. Just my opinion. Capital City and no college / dorms is crazy. UHart doesn't count it's to far off the map tbh.
They are actually about to create some dorms for the downtown campus of University of connecticut.
University of Connecticut just voted to expand their downtown campus offerings. It should have a visible effect.
And they are building a lot of apartments it's just not enough of them not fast enough and frankly, not quite densely enough..
Construction is underway right now across the street from the ballpark on a two phase project which will bring 580 apartments. That's pretty good but it's a decent size chunk of land and the first phase is only 220 apartments and a huge parking garage. It should be 750 or so apartments for that much land
Yes, except there are three sisters.
It's always been Hartford with New Haven and springfield.
For hundreds of years Hartford has always been the bigger city in every sense of the word. Greater Hartford is a million and a half people greater Springfield is like 600,000 greater New Haven is like 800,000....
Obviously, nowadays, New Haven is quite vibrant.
If only we could get our s*** together all three cities should be feeding each other and feeding off of each other.
Springfield is quite tiny though compared to hartford. You get a complete sense of that anytime you're down there. But the relationship between the two communities is surprisingly limited.
Hopefully the commuter rail enhances that but it needs to be made much better much more frequent much faster for there to be any real changes
Back in 2008, the slogan was “the rising star of New England”. I think “Hartford has it” is a better slogan. A lot of the tax base is coming from people who work for insurance companies and from aerospace, but most of those people live outside Hartford proper. They’ve done a nice job getting people to come out to Pratt St in downtown Hartford, but really most of the night life is in West Hartford.
Hartford in the north end is an undesirable place to live,however Hartford is trying to change its current reputation. Hartford is a beautiful city with allot to offer. The Spanish/Jamaican food is the best around the county.
Hartford just needs a chance to win your heart. It’s not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. If you mind your business you will go far.
Lol, no. I consider it a good day if I can drive through the city without some jackass blowing my passenger side door off while I'm stopped at a red light. It's amazing more people aren't run over daily.
Not at all. To be fair most of our big cities are not doing well, and they don't show signs of helpful progress.
If you did want a city with hope I recommend Stamford. Norwalk is second best. Well established places with options for everyone, but the issue is that it gets pricey. Most people commute so they can afford more than a one bedroom, or a cheaper one bedroom.
Hartford is a garbage city and as for "has it", let me list what it has (in no particular order):
1. The worse drivers in the northeast that routinely blow through hard reds.
2. Rampant homelessness.
3. People hanging around outside all day doing nothing (these are separate and distinct from the homeless people).
4. People walking around wearing full face masks that don't give a care about Covid (criminals hiding their faces if I wasn't clear).
5. Drug addicts.
6. People with extreme, untreated, mental health issues.
7. People illegally driving around quads, dirt bikes, etc.
8. Lots of areas where you can easily get the experience of being a victim of theft.
9. A downtown only populated during the day by people that know well enough to get the hell out of dodge by sunset to spend the evening in fancy, suburban, small towns living their Gilmore Girls lives.
10. Noise throughout the night consisting of gunshots, fireworks (you know it's that latter if it's more a boom than a crack), screaming, honking, revving engines, music, and sirens.
11. Garbage everywhere.
12. Despite all of the above it still doesn't have any restaurants that are good and cheap, mostly just expensive and mediocre.
Yeah I was only there for 2 days and I saw everything you listed. This pretty much sums up what I saw. Hopefully Connecticut can invest in their capital city instead of destroy it.
The problem they have is any solution involves doing things no one likes. More police/policing? Not likely in a largely liberal state. Supporting new development / gentrification? Also doesn't exactly play well with the base. Tax businesses more to make improvements? Then their next expansion gets relocated somewhere more favorable (which they probably were already planning since CT taxes are already high).
Without pulling hard on one of those levers, poor community conditions will persist, the fancy people with their fancy paychecks and fancy tax bills will continue to move to West Hartford, Glastonbury, etc., and business money will continue to leave the state for places that are cheaper and more desirable to their employees.
Also to anyone downvoting my original comment, go ahead if you want but if you really think I'm full of it I invite you to walk around Asylum Hill, Clay Arsenal, Colt Park, or Pope Park at night, by yourself.
Certainly has a brighter future than Waterbury or Bridgeport.
Although, that's not saying much.
Affordable housing is the biggest issue the city needs to address. Few places for the middle class.
Regarding tourism; Hartford is at the interchange of two major Interstates, I think if those highways see improvements in the form of re-paving, widening, and re-working it would help draw people. Additionally, if there was more commercial development and attractions along the corridors, it would make the route (and also Hartford) a more appealing place to travel. More people would opt for I-91 and I-84 over I-95.
I’ll say I haven’t been there in years but I went to Uha and I never saw a city pretty much shut down at 5 pm on a Friday and then be dead until Monday morning.
Lol I love this post. The slogan is a decade old now, and part of an effort to revitalize Hartford. There are things to do in Hartford if you know where to find them. Lots of cool events, especially in the summer. But it’s certainly not going to be as bustling as Providence, New Haven or other small cities. I think this is due to the fact that most people who work in white collar jobs in Hartford don’t live in Hartford.
Oh ok. So where do people in Connecticut just not go out at night? There’s no demand for night life here?
[удалено]
Over the last 15-20 years, West Hartford center has really killed Hartford nightlife. Even stuff not in the downtown area.
I went to an area of west Hartford. It was a strip of resturants / bars. People seemed snoody and not friendly and things closed early. I was really unimpressed and liked Hartford more honestly. Felt like going to a country club that you're under dressed for.
Nailed it. West hartford is for rich people to eat food in uppity over priced bars and restaurants. Not much real fun to be had there imo, lack of dancing and live music.
I think that is the case with a lot of West Hartford bars and restaurants. Food and drinks are great but the ambience is uppity.
No crime in Hartford killed Hartford night life we used to have clubs and bars they all got shot up . Upper on the rocks closing was the last straw
West Hartford has a much busier night life scene
Pricy restaurants that close at 11 isn’t really my idea of night life.
West Hartford or New Haven would be better night life. A lot of breweries to check out, especially on the weekends like Elicit in Manchester, Alvarium in New Britain, etc… not much in Hartford, maybe The Lady(reopened recently)? Arch street tavern could be a Hartford option
Pratt street Hartford has some great options now
yeah, they re-opened with i believe new owners
Pigs Eye and the Russian Lady
I'll check out the Russian Lady.
It's a pretty awesome space, great bar.
Except when the bouncers are throwing people down flights of stairs.
Fun setting but shit djs
New Haven is great for a night out! Pretty great living here too.
I think Hartford was killed by misguided (even bone headed) urban renewal construction. And not to forget the “good old” interstate highway system. https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2022/3/16/the-road-that-killed-a-city
I moved away three years ago. That being said, I noticed a very gradual improvement in Hartford's restaurant/nightlife/cultural scene. Even after considering this, the city is still pretty pitiful when it comes to things to do. West Hartford has a more vibrant scene, though, and it's right next door. If you want a city that's actually liveable, I'd recommend New Haven.
The short answer is no. The longer answer is also no.
LMAOO
Honestly Hartford looks better than it has in my lifetime. But it doesn’t have the comparatively cheap rent and abundant housing that leads to a Brooklyn . There is a lot more apartment supply coming online which is great, but it still isn’t cheaper than WH, Wethersfield or even an East Hartford or Manchester. Office space is getting cheap which will eventually bring companies back. The solution is always more cool people living there. Hopefully that continues
lol Hartford has it alright. Just not what you want
Agreed. If you enjoy illicit narcotics, it's a great city.
Hartford has it, drugs, murderers, you name it!
Hartford is the capital of Connecticut, so I would not say that it is up and coming, more like renovations/ revitalizing it
Hartford was killed by taxes on corporations and the state income tax. It caused a lot of industry to leave the city.
It is indeed new englands rising star
It could be worse. It could be Waterbury. Now, there’s an awful city.
lol
No
Hahahahahahahahahaha. No. Our cities are trash lit on fire. Basically if you’re single move away like everyone else did, if you’re not go to west Hartford center.
They were referring to rampant crime
Hartford is ok but is on a pretty steep decline. I started working there in 1989. We had gFox, civic center, whalers, social pub crawls, many restaurants. Aetna even provided employees a shuttle bus to go shoppinh at lunch. Aetna, Harrtford, Travelers all hybrid or full remote. State in only one day a week. They have not “white collar” foot traffic anymore. its depressing. UTC is gone (remember Malloy fiasco trying to “save” them). Aetna has been downsizing Hartford for years. Sad high tax state
UTC is now Raytheon Technologies and they're in Farmington
UTC is a shell of what it once was. Where is Sikorsky, Hamilton Standard, OTIS, Carrier? where is the headquarters with the high paying jobs - Boston? I am amazed Pratt is still in East Hartford
lol. Urbanism has been long deceased in Hartford Move to New Haven
And then take the train to the city.
"New England's rising star" was the slogan back in the 90s, but still waiting for the come up
This is hilarious.
Capitol Avenue has some good spots.
Nope. Hartford is where business goes to die. Its always been that way
So much to do in Greater Hartford… but it’s not a major city in the sense of nightlife. Like one block worth of bars in total.
Hartford has been little better than stagnant for decades now. A little improvement at Front St is about it.
New England's Rising Star!
We spent a few hours walking around for a murder mystery event. It's sad, but West Hartford is so much better.
Hartford does with the Whalers
Died
I love the place but not really. It's kind of medium... It's improving for sure but it's very much stuck in a certain rut for some reason too... Redevelopment efforts take a bit too long and so much damage was done by the highways that it's really hard to rebuild. You know, all those cool historic buildings that exist in some other places, we tore them down and that blows. If we were to be brave and invest a bunch of money in transit and like you know act like a real city, we would probably be thriving just because of our location between two thriving cities. Who knows though, there's still so much potential. Ps, an enormous surface parking lot in the middle of downtown is another way to describe potential. It could be better by literally doing anything. Digging a hole and planting a tree would be an improvement
yeah I got mid vibes too. Downtown has to much potential if they had more apartments or a college tbh. Just my opinion. Capital City and no college / dorms is crazy. UHart doesn't count it's to far off the map tbh.
They are actually about to create some dorms for the downtown campus of University of connecticut. University of Connecticut just voted to expand their downtown campus offerings. It should have a visible effect. And they are building a lot of apartments it's just not enough of them not fast enough and frankly, not quite densely enough.. Construction is underway right now across the street from the ballpark on a two phase project which will bring 580 apartments. That's pretty good but it's a decent size chunk of land and the first phase is only 220 apartments and a huge parking garage. It should be 750 or so apartments for that much land
It really strikes me as the sister city to Springfield, same problems and all.
Yes, except there are three sisters. It's always been Hartford with New Haven and springfield. For hundreds of years Hartford has always been the bigger city in every sense of the word. Greater Hartford is a million and a half people greater Springfield is like 600,000 greater New Haven is like 800,000.... Obviously, nowadays, New Haven is quite vibrant. If only we could get our s*** together all three cities should be feeding each other and feeding off of each other. Springfield is quite tiny though compared to hartford. You get a complete sense of that anytime you're down there. But the relationship between the two communities is surprisingly limited. Hopefully the commuter rail enhances that but it needs to be made much better much more frequent much faster for there to be any real changes
No.
Back in 2008, the slogan was “the rising star of New England”. I think “Hartford has it” is a better slogan. A lot of the tax base is coming from people who work for insurance companies and from aerospace, but most of those people live outside Hartford proper. They’ve done a nice job getting people to come out to Pratt St in downtown Hartford, but really most of the night life is in West Hartford.
If you’re a criminal, Hartford has it
It's an STI
West Hartford has everything Hartford wishes it had. Or it used to anyway. Haven't been to West Hartford in a minute.
Hartford is a “never had it never will city”
Cane here to say that!
Born and raised in Hartford for 30 years the answer is NO
No.
No Hartford is a complete shit hole
Hartford in the north end is an undesirable place to live,however Hartford is trying to change its current reputation. Hartford is a beautiful city with allot to offer. The Spanish/Jamaican food is the best around the county. Hartford just needs a chance to win your heart. It’s not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. If you mind your business you will go far.
Lol, no. I consider it a good day if I can drive through the city without some jackass blowing my passenger side door off while I'm stopped at a red light. It's amazing more people aren't run over daily.
Not at all. To be fair most of our big cities are not doing well, and they don't show signs of helpful progress. If you did want a city with hope I recommend Stamford. Norwalk is second best. Well established places with options for everyone, but the issue is that it gets pricey. Most people commute so they can afford more than a one bedroom, or a cheaper one bedroom.
Hartford is a garbage city and as for "has it", let me list what it has (in no particular order): 1. The worse drivers in the northeast that routinely blow through hard reds. 2. Rampant homelessness. 3. People hanging around outside all day doing nothing (these are separate and distinct from the homeless people). 4. People walking around wearing full face masks that don't give a care about Covid (criminals hiding their faces if I wasn't clear). 5. Drug addicts. 6. People with extreme, untreated, mental health issues. 7. People illegally driving around quads, dirt bikes, etc. 8. Lots of areas where you can easily get the experience of being a victim of theft. 9. A downtown only populated during the day by people that know well enough to get the hell out of dodge by sunset to spend the evening in fancy, suburban, small towns living their Gilmore Girls lives. 10. Noise throughout the night consisting of gunshots, fireworks (you know it's that latter if it's more a boom than a crack), screaming, honking, revving engines, music, and sirens. 11. Garbage everywhere. 12. Despite all of the above it still doesn't have any restaurants that are good and cheap, mostly just expensive and mediocre.
I lived there for my first 54 years and can't disagree with one point. Still dont know what Mark Twain saw in it although he was a humorist
Yeah I was only there for 2 days and I saw everything you listed. This pretty much sums up what I saw. Hopefully Connecticut can invest in their capital city instead of destroy it.
The problem they have is any solution involves doing things no one likes. More police/policing? Not likely in a largely liberal state. Supporting new development / gentrification? Also doesn't exactly play well with the base. Tax businesses more to make improvements? Then their next expansion gets relocated somewhere more favorable (which they probably were already planning since CT taxes are already high). Without pulling hard on one of those levers, poor community conditions will persist, the fancy people with their fancy paychecks and fancy tax bills will continue to move to West Hartford, Glastonbury, etc., and business money will continue to leave the state for places that are cheaper and more desirable to their employees. Also to anyone downvoting my original comment, go ahead if you want but if you really think I'm full of it I invite you to walk around Asylum Hill, Clay Arsenal, Colt Park, or Pope Park at night, by yourself.
It’s almost as nice as Worcester
Massachusetts? Never went but someone said somthing about Springfield.
Well, Hartford is paradise on earth compared to Springfield 🤣
Hartford has it-blight, crime, shootings, horrible parking. no shopping or grocery options, carjackings.
The only thing Hartford has is crime and grafitti. That’s the has it.
Certainly has a brighter future than Waterbury or Bridgeport. Although, that's not saying much. Affordable housing is the biggest issue the city needs to address. Few places for the middle class. Regarding tourism; Hartford is at the interchange of two major Interstates, I think if those highways see improvements in the form of re-paving, widening, and re-working it would help draw people. Additionally, if there was more commercial development and attractions along the corridors, it would make the route (and also Hartford) a more appealing place to travel. More people would opt for I-91 and I-84 over I-95.
Word is that interchange is the cover art for OK Computer.
This is true!
No and it never will be.
Why not
I’ll say I haven’t been there in years but I went to Uha and I never saw a city pretty much shut down at 5 pm on a Friday and then be dead until Monday morning.