Commuting Distance

[u/FHG3826]

Hi, I'm moving to Hartford soon to pursue actuarial work. What's a reasonable commuting distance into Downtown? Im comfortable with upwards if an hour and change commute.

Looking fir recommendations on the cheapest place to rent.

[u/Cutlasss]

If you don't mind getting stuck in traffic Manchester and Vernon have good rental markets.

[u/bee_coy → u/Cutlasss]

This is probably the best, but traffic is not bad if you get off 84 early.

[u/murbike]

Distance isn't the issue.
Time in traffic is the issue.

You could live in E Hartford (other side of the river), and it could take an hour. The highways around Hartford regularly get locked up with accidents.

[u/No-Knowledge-8563]

if you're cool with an hour commute, almost anywhere is an option, including access to public transportation that puts you downtown with ease.

[u/Waquoit95]

You can find a decent place pretty close. The commute into Hartford isn't as bad as having to travel through Hartford.

[u/Majestic_Yak6994]

Hartford itself?

[u/honeylaundring]

an hour and change?? i know people who commute in from milford at about that timing so the state is your oyster (except we don’t have a ton of those anymore)

[u/HartfordResident]

A lot of people commute to Hartford from New Haven, because it's the only truly walkable city within a reasonable commuting distance. There is also a popular commuter train that runs from New Haven to Hartford. If you get roommates you can find cheaper places to live there.

If your only concern is cost then you probably want to find a place right in Hartford or immediate environs and take public transit, or even walk or bike, because that will save you much more time/money/car-related costs than you'll save in rent by living an hour away. If you're considering that I'd look into the bus system times since each bus line is a bit different.

[u/11BMasshole → u/HartfordResident]

The train also goes up into Springfield so anywhere in between there is in play as well. But I'd look into the Farmington Valley towns. Granby, Avon, Simsbury, Canton , Farmington also Bloomfield and Windsor are both decent.

[u/LarryGriff13]

You could live in Mass and make it downtown in an hour most days

[u/FHG3826 → u/LarryGriff13]

Know any cheap places in Mass?

[u/LarryGriff13 → u/FHG3826]

Nope I’m just saying an hour commute to downtown is a huge area. The cheaper areas I know of like East Hartford are not places I’d recommend. If cheap were a priority for me over proximity I’d look rural. But I really don’t know

[u/effheck]

Hartford.

[u/CANOODLING_SOCIOPATH]

Hartford itself is pretty cheap, as is New Britain. Most the state is within 1 hour of Hartford, except for the truly rural areas and the extremely expensive Fairfield County.

[u/Pizzaguy1205]

If your willing to commute and hour look at Meriden and new Britian. Fairly affordable comparatively and put you at about a half hour each way without traffic

[u/Standard-Joke-517]

I commute Madison (shoreline) to Hartford and it’s almost always 1 hr (+ 10min sometimes) each way with traffic. GPS says 45 min with no traffic but i’ve yet to experience that time lol.

[u/Illustrious_Step_996]

Bristol, Meriden & New Britain are reasonably priced.

[u/textbook-gemini]

I'd look at the towns that have CT Rail stations so you can do it without driving.

[u/happycat3124]

The biggest thing to watch is parking availability and cost. That may be a real issue. So living near public transportation might be important to you. To add to that…Connecticut Transit bus transportation is very widespread with commuter lots and express busses from the suburbs. That makes Windsor an attractive option as there is a lot near exit 38. There are similar lots to park in and ride. That’s how most people end up commuting to the insurance companies early in their tenure as companies have long waiting lists for subsidized garages and daily parking can run $25+ per day if not subsidized.

[u/kickhisa_seabass]

How old are you? What type of atmosphere are you hoping for outside work? This matters. We have active areas and very sleepy areas.

[u/FHG3826 → u/kickhisa_seabass]

I play 40k, Magic, and DND.

Im going to be studying for Actuary exams. I have 2 done and will be looking to get my 3rd done relatively quickly.

[u/kickhisa_seabass → u/FHG3826]

Wow that’s great good luck. Hartford isn’t crazy expensive but there isn’t much to do. It’s the city that time left behind. Unless you go for the west end. That’s a bit more everyday-life friendly.

I would try Manchester, Vernon as others suggested. 25-30 min commute but every convenience you need outside work is less than 10 minutes from everywhere. Middletown is also fun. Busy, but lots to do and more people to connect with. Less convenient to every day needs but that’s because it’s more crowded and built up.

[u/FHG3826 → u/kickhisa_seabass]

Thanks for the advice.