MattinglyDineen

MattinglyDineen t1_j7cyirw wrote

I teach in Hartford itself. If you don't mind the issues that come with teaching in an urban environment the Hartford Public Schools will hire you. The district is short many teachers and is offering signing bonuses to anyone willing to step up.

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MattinglyDineen t1_j6fnzqz wrote

I work for the Whale. It's a fun time and we play Brass Bonanza after goals! We've got three more home games left in the season (February 18, 19, and 26). Come on out to a game!

Fun fact: Former Hartford Whaler Bryan Marchment's niece, Kennedy Marchment, is on the Whale. She was the PHF MVP last season!

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MattinglyDineen t1_ixk3813 wrote

You are both going to have awful commutes if you are midway between the two.

According to Meetways the halfway point between the two is Rocky Hill which provides a 2 hour 5 minute drive to New York and 1 hour 45 minute drive to Boston. If you have to drive during rush hour you can add 60-90 minutes to each of those times.

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MattinglyDineen t1_iuyqc3a wrote

  1. Yes. Those towns are very nice and you are avoiding the urban areas.

  2. From your locations I'm guessing your wife is working at a hospital. Glastonbury is on the east side of the river after you just said you wanted to stay on the west side. She'd have to drive through downtown Hartford every day. If her commute isn't at rush hour that would be fine. If it is it'll be difficult.

  3. Property taxes vary widely by town. For the most part you get what you pay for. West Hartford has sky high taxes but they have a ton of public amenities and programs. Towns with lower taxes typically offer less.

  4. You don't want electric heat. That will be an insanely high bill. I have natural gas heat and it's never been too expensive. I have a 1500 square feet house and my heating bill in the winter is around $200 per month in the winter months, but I also keep my house at 63 degrees when I'm awake, 58 when I am asleep, and 55 when I am not home. If you like it warmer your bill will be higher.

  5. My house is 130 years old and has not needed a lot of work in the 18 years I've been here other than the typical things of new paint, new water heater, new roof, etc. Just make sure you get a thorough inspection. If you are looking at newer homes (built 1980's to early 2000's) east of the river you have to watch out for crumbling foundations.

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MattinglyDineen t1_iud4atm wrote

As someone from Connecticut who is less than 30 minutes from the Massachusetts border, I pretty much concur. I'll give all of Springfield to Western Mass, but that is the easternmost limit. Anything east of Springfield to me and it seems I'm getting too much into the Boston sphere of influence.

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MattinglyDineen t1_itfxnnu wrote

Where in Massachusetts? If it is Springfield I’m sure you’ll find it to be very similar. If it is Boston then don’t expect Hartford to nearly match it.

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MattinglyDineen t1_ir6onvr wrote

Nashville and Hartford downtowns are polar opposites. In downtown Hartford the only life is during the day from business people and even that is way down since COVID. On weekends it is basically a ghost town. You can't even find a place to get a quick bite to eat.

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