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West Hartford is a great place for NY urbanites to relocate. Just ask the NY Times.
BY JUDIE JACOBSON
Write this down. On August 24, 2020, Jerry Seinfeld lost his sense of humor.
Hard to believe. But there you have it. Years from now you’ll want to tell your awe-struck grandchildren where you were and what you were doing when it happened.
Of course, there’s more to the story. In Jerry’s defense, the master of his comedic domain was goaded into an uncharacteristically humorless hissy fit by New York City comedy club owner James Altucher who, in a self-published essay reprinted by the New York Post on August 17, professed his love and affection for the city of his birth…then in the very next breath espoused what Jerry perceived to be his cockamamie theory that the shining city on the Hudson had seen the last of its glory days.
Pointing an accusatory finger at the pandemic as well as recent riots, Altucher noted that apartment vacancies in the Big Apple were at an all time high as residents headed for parts anywhere but there, and companies were packing up and moving out as well.
“NYC is Dead Forever,” read Altucher’s apocalyptic headline.
Jerry was apoplectic.
“The last thing we need in the thick of so many challenges is some putz on LinkedIn wailing and whimpering, ‘Everyone’s gone! I want 2019 back!’” Jerry hollered in an opinion piece published in The New York Times on August 24 (and written, or so it is rumored, from the confines of his $32 million waterfront shack in the Hamptons). He then instructed Mr. Altucher to “shut up,” and “wipe your tears, wipe your butt and pull it together.”
Ok then. Safe to say Jerry Seinfeld was not captain of his high school debate team.
Still, we’re not choosing sides. After all, does anyone really know what lies ahead? No. Does anyone one really like being called a ‘putz’ by Jerry Seinfeld? We think not.
On the other hand, we know what we know, and what we know is that West Hartford is a gem of a New England town that would make a great place for transplanted New Yorkers to call home.
And we’re not the only ones who think so.
Just ask Julie Lasky, a writer for The New York Times who, on August 7, 2020, penned an article entitled “Leaving New York: How to Choose the Right Suburb.”
“The pandemic, and its disruption of work habits, has led New Yorkers not just to untether from the city but to propel themselves to places where they never dreamed of living,” wrote Lasky.
So where in ‘burbs can New York City slickers find happiness?
To find out, Lasky asked more than 20 real estate agents in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to recommend places to move within two hours of New York City, based on eight different criteria. She then pared down the suggestions with the help of data about school performance, population density and demographic diversity.
Finally, she came up with eight suburban towns that make great alternatives to New York City living. Six are located in New York, one in New Jersey.
West Hartford was the only town in Connecticut to make the cut.
No surprise — least of all to those who already call West Hartford home.
“West Hartford is a vibrant and walkable, diverse and welcoming community with a high level of services and with residents that care deeply about each other,” West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor told Accent.
“West Hartford has always been an attractive place to live for people from New York, Boston and other cities, but in this extraordinary time when a home is the center of so much of life, we have experienced a large influx of home buyers and business owners from larger metropolitan areas that recognize the high quality of life that West Hartford has to offer,” she added.
Lasky thinks she knows why. Besides being only a two hour drive to mid-Manhattan, she writes, West Hartford is noted for its historic roots, walkable center, high-ranking schools, three public libraries, six
public parks, two active senior centers and, of course, the popular Blue Back Square — which Lasky describes as “a 10-year-old mixed-used development that went out of its way not to look like a typical shopping mall.”
The recipient of umpteen “Best Places” awards from the likes of Money, Niche, Family Circle, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazines, and a travel website called The Crazy Tourist, West Hartford also has easy access to Hartford’s cultural offerings and the Farmington Valley’s apple orchards,
golf courses, hiking and river sports, notes Lasky.
And did we mention that the price of homes is considerably lower than New York suburban towns?
“As the executive director of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, I have witnessed the resilience of our town first hand,” says Chris Conway. “Collectively, our residents, civic leaders, businesses and nonprofit partners are working together to maintain and even grow our community. West Hartford has always been a special place. I am excited to welcome newcomers to our town.”
Newcomers like, say, Jerry Seinfeld? Just kidding, Jer. Hey, how about we all hop in that vintage Porsche of yours and go for a cup of coffee, maybe breakfast, at Sally & Bob’s. It doesn’t get much better than that.
(above) Jerry Seinfeld in New York, New York. Photograph: Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic
West Hartford: Webster Heights, Upper Rockledge, Classic Center Hall Colonial
73 Rockledge Drive Convenient to Coming Blue Back, The Center, In 2021 I-84! $499,900
Coming On The Market In 2021*
The “Great Outdoor Living Space” by Jeff Hodges features nearly 2,500 square feet of flexible space for gathering, cooking, hanging out. The front and side yard include new turf, also by Hodges. Open the backyard gate for access to all Webster Hill School's campus has to offer; basketball, baseball, soccer and more. Cross South Main St. and golf at Rockledge Golf Club. Walk to Blue Back Square/The Center. Enjoy very convenient access to I-84.
Let your imagination go wild as you personalize this home with your own touch.
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Call the Home-Owners at 860-521-5960 for a private showing in 2021, prior to listing with an agent* .
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