A few other things I thought of. The NHV road race. Westville Artfest. West Rock Park. Shakespeare in the Park. Elm City Games.

I like how it’s not Stamford or Hartford

Proximity to New York. Lots of nature hiking/state parks, really pretty actually. Just cold half the year. Decent museum/coffee shop/theater culture. Rent is high but home prices are reasonable. Lots of parks, good for kids, lots of family friendly activities.

Well, sorta true, but it depends on your idea of expensive. Certainly it's not a "money is no concern" place. But with an appetizer, entrée and a couple drinks (even non-alcoholic) you're looking at $45-60 per person. Worth it, but not cheap.

Yeah I have had really really good and only decent meals there. At this point Tyler seems to be more of a Restauranteur than chef (at least from what I can tell, I don’t know him from Moses). But I have generally been impressed with the food. Ironically during COVID it was better than the last time I went after.

Present Company needs to sort out their HVAC situation. I have had two experiences there where it was really hot or really cold. Like cmon, that’s so basic for a place making amazing food.

“New haven is amazing “ The city is great and has been for the past 100 years! Great food , great people! If your interested in history you will love New Haven! So much of everything came, started or ended with new haven it’s a wonder what the United States would had done without this city!!!

FAIR HAVEN OYSTER CO

Personally, I don’t find it to be as good OR bad as people on here are telling you. It’s a fine, serviceable town with a little something for everyone. Good luck!

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Extra upvotes for reckless drivers

My favorite part is the arts/cultural/food festivals. Tons of great food and art. Very queer friendly. Beautiful parks and hiking spots nearby as well as beaches. Pretty affordable as cities go, too.

In regards to people saying it’s a dangerous shithole: it’s a city. There’s wealth inequality. There’s homelessness and crime. That’s what you get when you live in a city in the US.

They’ve made big improvements in bike lanes in the last few years!

New Haven is big enough to always have something new and interesting to offer but small and beautifully green enough to not feel like an urban hellscape.

I live in a suburb of Hartford now, but if I had it to do again I’d pick New Haven. My wife and I are even considering retiring there!

1 hour to skiing if you count Butternut or Mt Southington/Powder Ridge

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With the colleges and slums nearby it's a fantastic place to buy drugs

Bike lanes and lots of public transport access :)

Oh no…

Art, theater and music. Parks. Festivals. I love New Haven.

One of the best food scenes in any small/medium sized city I’ve been in, and I’ve been in a ton (travel a lot for work).

Plenty of music in a dozen or so venues of all sizes. Great architecture. Lots of character. World class art museums. Lots of great stuff to do within a day’s drive (big benefit of New England in general).

College Street Music Hall always has great musical acts playing, the restaurant scene is amazing (not just the pizza!), there are a huge number of amazing breweries very close by. Major railroad station right downtown that brings you right to Grand Central for less than $50 round trip. Definitely one of the most diverse and accepting communities in the area. And you can be to Southern Vermont in under 3 hours and southern Maine in 3 and a half.

Oh, and weed is legal. Dispensaries are coming early next year! 😂

Based off of your listed needs you’ll fit in like a glove here.

Love this!!! HVN resident here too and love all the city pride in this thread!

I adore ION. They’re also really not that expensive.