<p>So, housing on campus for fall 09 is limited at Hartt for son enrolling in graduate program.
He's on the waitlist but hard to tell yet whether it will materialize.
We don't know the area at all but need to start scouting what the off campus options are.
Plan on asking resident life office for some pointers but thought maybe some families here would have suggestions.</p>
<p>Closer to campus the better, just for convenience.
Are there towns to consider that are relatively reasonable and safe? Ones to avoid?
I've seen some listings for W.Hartford, Simsbury, Bloomfield.
Been checking craigslist for pricing but not knowing if the rent is low because it's a crime infested area is making me, the mom, crazy.
Any ideas on where to start would be appreciated!</p>
<p>We’re fairly new in the area, but here’s my $.02. Parts of Bloomfield are OK, parts not so OK. Simsbury and Avon are “over the mountain” from West Hartford. (Mountain is a relative term, but it seems to be a fairly big deal around here, if for no other reason than there have a few major truck accidents.) W. Hartford has a nice, vibrant town center. It seems like I drive past quite a few apartment/condo buildings (in W. Hartford) – no idea of pricing. I would certainly think Res Life would have housing tips, if not an actual housing office?</p>
<p>I agree with contacting housing. They usually have suggestions for off campus housing. I’m assuming this student will have a car. Look at the Elmwood section of West Hartford. There are a lot of multifamily homes in that area. Avon is “over Avon Mountain” but really…it’s just a big hill. There are some apartments in that neck of the woods and in Simsbury over Talcott Mountain. Both would be convenient to Hartt. West Hartford Center (intersection of Farmington and Main Streets) is a hopping place. I’m not sure how much student housing you would find there…although there are some apartments on Main Street near that intersection. Personally, I would stay away from Bloomfield UNLESS you are right next to the university…where there are some multifamily homes.</p>
<p>The demographics of the area near the University are rather diverse - The Governor’s Mansion is not far from there as is lower income housing on Albany Avenue. It’s a richly diverse environment and as in any urban area, one needs to be careful. Best wishes.</p>
<p>“elmwood is not a great area.” Around South Main St, its fine, its only from the New Britain Ave intersection with New Park Ave heading towards Hartford that isn’t so great. Its a lot safer than most of Bloomfield. West Hartford center has great stores and West Hartford is a great town to live in generally.</p>
<p>Once again, my CC support group comes through.
Thanks, everyone, for sending us the tips. The specific towns (right down to street names and intersections!) are exactly what we were hoping for. Gives us some ideas to investigate.</p>
<p>Son actually did receive a call from a Res Life staffer today but his side of the conversation sounded like a string of yeses…as though mostly, she was verifying that he’s on the waitlist for on campus, hard to tell outcome,etc.
He will follow up when he’s had a chance to scout online a bit.
Yes, he will have a car. Included parking is essential and seems to be a big ‘selling point’ in ads.
Again, thanks for the help!</p>
<p>“Yes, he will have a car. Included parking is essential and seems to be a big ‘selling point’ in ads.
Again, thanks for the help!”</p>
<p>The son of a friend of mine racked up an immense amount of parking tickets on campus so tell your son to be careful. By the way I grew up in West Hartford and went to the Hartt School of Music when it was first built there. It moved when I-84 went through Hartford.</p>
<p>Thanks, DocT, for the warning.
The parking ticket thing seems to be so common. Son’s undergrad school had many methods of sneaking up on the unsuspecting drivers even stopped for a minute to unload stuff on campus. It was no doubt a huge money maker.
Hopefully, son has learned that lesson by now!</p>
<p>I grew up in the area. I would say that most parts of Bloomfield and all of Hartford are not the safest. Don’t know whether or not West Hartford, Avon, or Simsbury have garden apts with young people. My mom lived in the 500 (or 600) on Bloomfield Avenue near the big insurance company – it’s Bloomfield right near the WH border – garden apts with many senior citizens but might be more mixed population. Good luck.
Son goes to school at Wesleyan so we have been back to WH to visit family and friends.</p>
<p>the 600s are still all seniors…
check out the Hawthorne apartments in Bloomfield- right around the corner from the school, beautiful new condo complex, lots of young people.</p>
<p>Update:
Son has hooked up with 2 other Hartt students and the trio is now looking for a rental HOUSE where they can play instruments…
What about the town of Farmington? It’s 10 miles from campus but is it a BAD 10 miles?
Son (and I) would prefer the rural over intown since they might have more buffer for playing.<br>
What say you?</p>
<p>This is New England and the ten miles from Farmington to the Hartt Campus will probably take 20-30 minutes. It’s either a hop on and off the highway or a trek through Avon/Bloomfield…or through West Hartford. It’s not a “bad ten miles” but it’s not something that will enable them to go home for lunch.</p>
<p>It’s perfectly do-able, but it can sloppy and nasty in winter conditions. Given his program, it’s conceivable there will be multiple trips to campus for ipo’s and rehearsals, so it probably won’t be a once a day commute, but a multiple one. Consider vehicle reliability, and the potential for gas going higher.</p>
<p>When son was off campus (7 minutes by car), his primary instrument was almost always in his locker in the Hartt building, with the exception of if he had an off campus gig. This afforded optimum practice time in the event he had a class canceled, or found additional time during the day to get in additional practice time.</p>
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<p>Son never practiced at his apartment. I would think schlepping the tuba back and forth on a daily basis will wear thin quickly. Unless his roomies are in an ensemble together, or are actively gigging, I would think using the practice rooms within the Fuller building would be the more convenient alternative. Might make more sense to leave a backup instrument in his place of residence if he feels he needs one.</p>
<p>Just one more note…Farmington is NOT rural. To find “rural” you need to travel more than 20 miles outside of Hartford. Farmington is quite suburban.</p>
<p>Update:
By some miracle, it looks as though son will obtain University grad housing for fall.
Yahoo!
He’s accepting a spot sight unseen (except one picture on the school website) which is kind of concerning. But the pluses outweigh the minuses in his mind (and ours).
He’ll share a 4 BR townhouse type apt with one other grad student about 1.5 miles from campus. All utilities and parking included.<br>
I figure he can always find a new place for following year when he’s already up there and more familiar with the area.<br>
Meanwhile, he started a summer job today so is relieved to have a home for fall!
I’ve now moved onto investigating health insurance policies for when son is kicked off this December. This doesn’t feel like a fun project!</p>
<p>I do thank all the folks here who posted and PM’ed me with suggestions. I learned alot!</p>