Opinion: ‘Galluping’ out of Connecticut

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3 responses to “Opinion: ‘Galluping’ out of Connecticut”

1. Suzanne

   May 4, 2014

   Read the comments on the CTJunkie site – no one mentioned the New York City angle. We came to CT from CA for a job in NYC. We did not know CT from a hole in the wall. Our initial experience of public courtesy was, indeed, well, it was absent. A culture shock. But the friends we have made here are constant and committed. We have embraced the seasons and, yes, love the winter. (We maintain that all of the requisite complaints from NEers is because they have experienced too much of winter and have become allergic. Even if this is not the case, they would complain anyway!) Energy bills are still shocking. Corruption in government and business, yes, still a shock. But our little patch is beautiful and we would not trade it. We budget, even with the financial downturn, but this is no guarantee that CT won’t just be a long term pit stop to a cheaper state. I would imagine that living here on much, much less would be less than a picnic. Not so in the southern and western states where taxes and resources are cheaper, the weather hardships on infrastructure, for the most part, fewer. I have met few native CTers and more transient types here. One must ask, why do they move here or move back here? Other than employment, there must be something good about this state. I would say, the environment (needs work but always improving), public transportation (the trains have been a key to our successful existence), the people (once you get used to them and develop relationships with your neighbors) and the culture (there is a lot of it, always some locally and certainly statewide.) This is an old state with a lot of history not available in any southern or western state. It is worth it to get soaked in it. Perhaps these small things do not meet the criteria or affordability for retirees or business owners but, for us, it makes CT an excellent place to live.

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2. Oldtimer

   May 4, 2014

   Most of the retired seniors that I know moved out of CT, moved because they saw a much lower cost of living somewhere else, had reached the stage where they were on fixed incomes, and found the taxes in CT unbearable. There are also lots of younger people who left CT for many of the same reasons. CT is a beautiful place to live, while you have a really good job with a high income. Making the transition from working in a job with the prospect of better income to not working and getting by on a fixed retirement income is never an easy step.

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3. Piberman

   May 4, 2014

   America is widely regarded as the world’s best country. How do we know ? Because more people attempt to emigrate here than the rest of the world put together. Same principle applies here in CT. The huge population and business outflow speaks volumes about our state and local governance. But there is one group of citizens who never leave CT – local and state public union members. Where else could they find such high paying jobs ? Or as reported by the Yankee Institute pensions upwards of $250,000 per year ! People vote with their feet the world over. Here too in CT. And in Norwalk. Maybe we need better politicians. Or just different ones. Once we had real “public servants”. Nowadays they’re as scarce as hen’s teeth.

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