<p>Could any current students or parents/friends of them offer some input on what Hartford is like? Trinity is of course a fairly small campus and I know the town surrounding it has a reputation for being seedy in some parts. Do you go out to it a lot, or stay on campus for the most part? Are you ever concerned for your safety on-campus/is campus life affected by this in any way? Any input would be appreciated, thanks.</p>
<p>As a current student I would say that Hartford is a great part of Trinity’s culture and many students take advantage of all it has to offer in terms of internships or cultural events and activities. In terms of walking off campus it is mostly residential just off campus so many students drive 10-15 min away to West Hartford to go to movies, out to dinner or shopping. I personally have never felt unsafe on campus, the walkways are well lit and there are campus safety officers patrolling the perimeter of the campus late into the night. There is also a shuttle that runs all year around campus which has a GPS tracker so you can see exactly where it is and would be able to go door to door from the library to your dorm building. I think it is just about being smart and using your common sense and if you ever do feel unsafe, campus safety is very easy to contact whether it is through the blue light safety system or just calling them. </p>
<p>TC Student – My 11th grader loves the campus but one thing nags me. Where can I walk to grab a burger and a beer with my kid? I graduated from a couple of colleges in cites and could always enjoy long, relatively safe walks. Don’t sense that opportunity in Hartford. Doesn’t seem like a walkable community. </p>
<p>Burgermeister- To be honest there aren’t a lot of restaurants within walking distance of Trinity. The surrounding area is more residential than anything. However, there are a ton of awesome burger places less than 10 min. away from campus. West Hartford has a lot of great restaurants and most students have cars by sophomore year so even if your son doesn’t bring one, I’m sure one of his friends will have brought a car to campus. Hope that helps!</p>
<p>There are actually a more than a few great restaurants within a mile or so. I guess you might need a car to get to them, but with a car, you could get to them in less than five minutes. Downtown Hartford also has lots of good restaurants. </p>
<p>Definitely stop in and try Black Eyed Sally’s. Not a burger joint but a great spot to grab a bite to eat!</p>
<p>The safety question is best answered by acknowledging Trinity’s location in Connecticut’s capital, Hartford. Just as a young man or woman wouldn’t be advised walk through the streets of Manhattan alone, in the middle of the night, neither would any student be wise to do so in Hartford. That being said, the safeness of campus is truly intact-- the presence of campus safety is abundant & are there for one reason: the well being of Trinity students. Just this past month, after having surgery on my knee, I have personally received help travelling both within campus & off campus (Hartford Hospital, Union Station, etc.). </p>
<p>The surrounding area is in fact residential, being less than 10 minutes from downtown (a nice 20 minute walk, at that). There are a variety of restaurants ranging from Peruvian cuisine to late night pizza joints within a 2 mile radius of campus-- late delivery spots, too. I have visited countless college-town schools that dominate its surrounding area, Trinity is something very different. Beyond the enclave of campus boundaries, students are given the opportunity to engage in a medley of experiences that only a large city like Hartford can offer: internships, urban studies excursions, museums & theatres, and four years living in an urban environment. </p>
<p>Hope this has been helpful, if you have any other questions feel free to reply & I will respond as soon as possible. </p>
<p>Cullen, senior theatre & film major</p>