thriftshopmusketeer

thriftshopmusketeer t1_j78cpbx wrote

A major difference between the Midwest and the East Coast is that things are much closer together here. I highly recommend, if you have the time, considering what medical student life is like, taking a weekend here and there to drive around the region and visit stuff. Boston’s about 90 minutes north, New York’s about 90 minutes south, and all sorts of cool stuff in between.

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thriftshopmusketeer t1_iv2ynlh wrote

The highways in general aren’t too bad, with the exception specifically for 84 & 91 in and around Hartford. That interchange is some foul blasphemy against the dreams of Man.

The roads get cleared at a good pace unless it’s a REAL storm, and those are rare. Honestly, the snow in general is quite anemic these days. We go most of the winter bare. It’s sad.

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thriftshopmusketeer t1_iv1i0ii wrote

Throwing my hat into the ring for West Hartford. It's a little pricer than some of the other towns but there's a good number of duplexes, smaller properties, etc. Having grown up here it's an amazing place to raise a family, the center is awesome, and it's got some of the best schools in the country.

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thriftshopmusketeer t1_is6hnx7 wrote

Last additional comment: West Hartford Center is bus-accessible and a very fun place to visit. We have a ton of restaurants, decent shopping, and a great library. I’m very biased because I’ve lived here more or less my whole life but it’s a great blend of modern town and the classical New England feel, town green and all.

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thriftshopmusketeer t1_is6hd51 wrote

Public transit isn’t necessarily Hartford’s strong point but I’ve been a carbound suburbanite my whole life so I can’t comment on the bus system. I know there’s a stop by Elizabeth Park, and believe it or not Google tells me there’s a bus to the West Hartford Reservoir every half-hour from Asylum & Main! No dice on Talcott Mountain State Park and the Tower, sadly.

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thriftshopmusketeer t1_is64iso wrote

I don’t know its hours but the Hartford science center is good fun, especially with kids but plenty there for a nerdy adult. Earlier in the year I’d recommend Riverfront Recapture for some rowing, but they still have a lot of parkland along the Connecticut River open for visiting. And I might be biased but the CT River competes strongly for most beautiful river, especially in fall.

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