Moving to Connecticut? Here is All You Need To Know

Relocating always comes with feelings of excitement and uncertainty. While it can be pretty overwhelming to move to a new location, it is also an opportunity to start anew. It’s a start of a new chapter of your life and new opportunities. Nevertheless, certain factors compel people to move to a new place.

As relocating is a big deal, familiarizing yourself with your new location beforehand can help you plan better. Are you relocating to Connecticut? We can give you an overview of this beautiful state to help you organize your big move.

Connecticut is known for ample opportunities, because of its advantageous location in New England region and being neighbors with New York and Boston. With a 3.6 million population, this Nutmeg State boasts a high standard of living with quality education and job opportunities and is known for its attractive natural sceneries. Here is everything you need to know about this state.

Pros of Living in Connecticut

Natural Beauty

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, then Connecticut’s diverse landscape ranging from mountain ranges to Long Island shoreline will be attractive for you.

Quality Education

Connecticut ranks 12th in terms of quality education and is home to one of the Ivy League universities, Yale.

Favorable Location

Connecticut’s location lets you have easy access to major cities like New York and Boston.

Job Opportunities 

Connecticut is known for its healthy job market and provides higher salaries to its residents compared to other states.

All Four Seasons

You can enjoy all four seasons in this state.

Cons of Living in Connecticut

High Cost of Living

Connecticut’s cost of living is considerably higher than other states. You should plan a better budget before moving to this state.

Extreme Weather

Connecticut has brutal winters and humid summers. If you can cope with snowfall for weeks, and stifling heat, then consider this state.

Higher Taxes

Connecticut’s economy depends on taxes, hence it has one of the highest taxes in the U.S.

Heavy Traffic

While its location connects it to major cities, it is also the cause of heavy traffic.

Factors to Consider

Cost of Living

Before relocating to Connecticut, it is essential to know how much you’ll be spending there. There is no denying that Connecticut is an expensive state, as according to the cost of living index, Connecticut is 107 compared to number 100 of the entire U.S. This means, compared to the national average, its living costs are much higher.

Take Stamford (Connecticut’s most expensive city) as an example, the cost of living in this city is only 17% less than Manhattan, New York. While the cost of living in Connecticut is extreme, the good news is that this state has the third-highest income per capita with average salaries of $65,870 annually, which are much higher than the U.S average annual salary.

Cost of Housing

As the cost of living in this state is high, housing is also pricey. According to statistics, Connecticut has the 2nd most multimillion-dollar houses right after California. With ever-increasing home values, an average single-family can cost up to $243,000. You should also consider the mill rate of each town before considering houses there because this state has some of the highest taxes on the property.

You can always rent a home if your budget cannot handle buying a house. The average rent of a small apartment can cost up to $1300 a month, which can be pretty affordable for established professionals.

Economy & Job Market

Connecticut ranks 30 in terms of its economy, and this low ranking is mainly due to its low job growth. It ranks 26th in terms of the job market, with an unemployment rate of 6.1%. Nevertheless, its venture capital of $25.8/$1000 GDP is higher than the national average of $6.77. The top industries of this state include:

• Insurance
• Bioscience
• Food services
• Advanced manufacturing
• Construction
• Financial services
• Green Technology

Education

With some of the most prestigious educational institutions, Connecticut ranks 12th in education and is considered the fifth-best state for k-12 education. Some of the best institutions in Connecticut include:

• Yale University
• Trinity College
• University of Connecticut
• Connecticut IB Academy

Healthcare Facilities

Connecticut ranks 3rd in healthcare facilities and boasts one the best healthcare systems in the entire U.S. Residents can easily access healthcare facilities due to numerous available healthcare programs. This state also facilitates above-average public health and ranks 10th among all fifty states.

Traveling & Transportation

Connecticut has a well-established highway system, but traffic can be frustrating in some areas of this state, particularly on Interstate 95 and Interstate 84. Due to traffic congestion, this state ranks 38th best state to drive in according to WalletHub.

Compared to other states, this state has good public transport, with a satisfactory rail system. You can use Metro-North for reaching airports and Amtrak for journeys within the city.

Best Cities in Connecticut

Connecticut has some of the most picturesque and historically rich cities. The best cities with easy access to top facilities like education, healthcare, and more are:

• Bridgeport (The largest city in Connecticut with just 60 miles away from Manhattan)
• New Haven (Second-largest city and home to Yale University)
• Stamford (Third largest city and a midpoint between New Haven and Manhattan)
• Hartford (Capital of this state)
• Greenwich (Largest and wealthiest town)

Internet in Connecticut

Connectivity is another crucial factor to consider before relocating. Most of our daily activities rely heavily on an internet connection, and you don’t want to end up in an area with limited options or poor coverage.

You don’t have to worry much about broadband access in this state. It is one of the best-connected states with an even coverage as 99% of residents have access to a broadband network with an average speed of 172 Mbps. Although this state has one of the best coverage, access to fiber internet is limited.

Although most of the state enjoys an even internet connection, cities like Stamford, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Westport, and New Canaan top the rest in terms of speed, coverage, and affordability.

Internet Providers in Connecticut

Currently, there are 84 internet providers in Connecticut, and among them, Spectrum, Frontier, HughesNet, and Viasat are some of the well-known providers. Relocating to a new state also means choosing a reliable internet provider who can fulfill all your internet requirements with transparency. Your location also determines the availability of a provider and the type of internet connection.

Since fiber internet is limited in this state, cable internet is the second-best option with its high speeds. Spectrum Connecticut, with its fiber-like internet speeds and affordable bundle deals, is a reliable cable internet choice.

Final Words

Connecticut might be the third smallest state with 3.6 million people, but its rich culture and history, and ideal location are major attractions for people, which contributes to its high cost of living. This state might be expensive, but it also offers higher salaries and is one of the safest states. This state also offers incredible entertainment and beautiful sights. Its diverse landscape and attractive sights like mountains, lakes, and numerous state parks are a treat for outdoor enthusiasts.

If you are thinking of relocating to this state, its quality education and income per capita alone make it an ideal state to live in America.