Moving to Hartford? The Insurance Capital of the World is best known for its great employment opportunities with Fortune 500 insurance companies—but it also attracts young adults with fantastic outdoor recreation, affordable housing, and more. Check out these five best neighborhoods for singles and young professionals in Hartford!
Asylum Hill
Photo via @corrado318
- Home Price: $105,808 median purchase price; $794 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 53% of Hartford neighborhoods
Nestled between West End and Downtown Hartford, Asylum Hill’s prime location is an attractive option for singles and young professionals! In this Hartford neighborhood, you have the perks and accessibility of downtown, as well as a suburban feel with lots of green spaces. If you’re looking for jobs nearby, you can work with Saint Francis Hospital or Fortune 500 company The Hartford. Plus, this historic area has beautiful rehabilitated homes ranging from Queen Annes to brick Victorians with lots of character!
Things to Do in Asylum Hill
Let the beauty of former Hartford resident Samuel L. Clemens’ home fill you with inspiration at The Mark Twain House & Museum. Visit the historical home of American abolitionist and writer of Uncle Tom’s Cabin at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center. See theater performances that speak across generations, races, and interests at HartBeat Ensemble. Get a taste of some Guatemalan cuisine like Churrasco Guatemalteco or Chicken Carbonara at Aurora’s. Feast on Jamaican cuisine like Curried Goat, Butter Fish, or Stewed Chicken at Island Cuisine. Get your fix of comfort foods with a Triple Cheese Burger, Beef Cheese Steak Sub, or Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Biscuit meal at NY Chicken & Biscuits. Or throw back a few drinks like a Dirty Martini or Pomegranate Margarita at classic neighborhood bar Piggy’s Cafe!
Downtown
Photo via @candicerenee89
- Home Price: $59,767 median purchase price; $812 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 71% of Hartford neighborhoods
Downtown Hartford is a great place for singles and young professionals to settle down, partly because it’s one of the safest, most affordable Hartford neighborhoods! This neighborhood is home to trendy bars, a variety of restaurants, and plenty of entertainment spots—plus, they’re all within walking distance of the area’s modern high-rise apartments and charming brick condos. On top of all that, young professionals can find tons of job opportunities in Downtown Hartford with companies like Travelers Insurance, Nassau Financial Group, or at one of several law offices!
Things to Do in Downtown Hartford
Catch live music, a comedy show, or a traveling Broadway production at The Bushnell. Take in amazing collections of European, American, and Contemporary art at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Cheer on the University of Connecticut Huskies—one of the most decorated college basketball programs in the country—at the XL Center. Attend organized events like ice skating, movie nights, and parades at Bushnell Park. Start your day with Cinnamon Apple Pancakes, a Burger Benny, or a Greek Omelette from The Place 2 Be. Indulge in upscale Italian dishes such as Sweet Potato Ravioli, Giobatto, or Shrimp Piccata with a glass of wine from the wine list at Salute Restaurant. Enjoy dinner and live music with some Blackened Catfish, a New Orleans Po Boy, or a Southern Comfort Bowl at Black-Eyed Sally’s Southern Kitchen & Bar. Or unwind with a few local brews like the Jungle Crush IPA or Steampunk Porter at City Steam Brewery.
Frog Hollow
Photo via @realtor.ct
- Home Price: $95,489 median purchase price; $893 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 29% of Hartford neighborhoods
Located a few minutes from the downtown area, Frog Hollow is a hot spot for singles and young professionals in Hartford! This neighborhood is close to major employers like Aetna and home to many unique local businesses, shops, and restaurants along iconic Park Street. Not to mention, the homes have a distinct Northeastern rowhouse feel, so they’re ideal for residents who want to live somewhere with character. In addition, if you’re hoping to earn an advanced degree or work in higher education, Trinity College is close by!
Things to Do in Frog Hollow
Plant some roots in a garden plot, go swimming, or play fetch with your furry pal in the 79 acres of Pope Park. Pick up fresh fruit, vegetables, and hand-crafted soaps at Forge City Works Farmers Market. Check out collections like historic Connecticut Postcards and both permanent and rotating exhibits such as Liberties and Legends at the Museum of Connecticut History. Try a specialty espresso, some loose-leaf tea, or kombucha at Story & Soil Coffee. Savor authentic Mexican dishes like Queso Flameado, Burritos de Pollo, or Enchiladas al Chipotle at El Sarape. Check out the delicious vegan options like plant-based Ital Stew, Tofu Scramble, or a Curry Pot at Fire-N-Spice Vegan Restaurant. Or kick back with a Boozy Iced Coffee, Henny Breeze, or glass of champagne at Red Rock Tavern.
Sheldon Charter Oak
Photo via @castle_and_keep
- Home Price: $88,450 median purchase price; $903 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 65% of Hartford neighborhoods
Are you looking for a Hartford neighborhood with plenty of things to do? Sheldon Charter Oak, which is just five minutes from Downtown Hartford, is chock-full of activities! History buffs will love exploring the nearby museums and monuments from Hartford’s first settlement, and fitness enthusiasts will have a number of great ways to get outside and be active with the 114-acre Colt Park. Affordable housing, great recreation, and amazing restaurants all make Sheldon Charter Oak an ideal home for singles and young professionals!
Things to Do in Sheldon Charter Oak
Get outside and enjoy the walking trails, outdoor pool, and sports fields at historic Colt Park. Go boating or enjoy some riverside views of the Connecticut River at Charter Oak Landing. Watch the Hartford Athletic (USL) corner-kick a goal at Trinity Health Stadium. Admire rotating exhibits, or attend art events year-round at the Charter Oak Cultural Center. Fuel up with one of Ashley’s Specials or The Big Breakfast at Ashley’s Restaurant. Try some Chop Suey or Egg Foo Young and more delicious favorites at New World Chinese Restaurant. Sip on some local brews like the Sizzling Hippie or Ode to Blumpy at Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt. Or dig into some Chocolate Lava Cake during a cabaret show at Chez Est!
South West
Photo via @lizette.jimenez.realtor
- Home Price: $158,543 median purchase price; $821 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 76% of Hartford neighborhoods
One of the safest Hartford neighborhoods, South West is perfect for singles and young professionals who are looking to live in a quieter, more easygoing neighborhood. Just ten minutes outside of Downtown Hartford, it’s a great spot to settle down for those who want to stay connected to the city while also having access to more green space and larger homes. In fact, living in South West means you’ll have your pick of everything from affordable apartments to Cape Cod and Colonial-style houses!
Things to Do in South West
Lace up your hiking shoes and take in beautiful views with the trails of Cedar Mountain or the 3,000 acres of forest at MDC Reservoirs. Stop by Pond House Cafe while strolling through the beautiful formal gardens of Elizabeth Park Conservatory. Sneak away for a quick nine or spend an afternoon playing a full 18 on one of the two courses at nearby Goodwin Park Golf Course. Grab a BLT Pizza, Stuffed Shells, or Pepperoni Hot Oven Grinder from locally-owned Empire Pizza House. Taste authentic Peruvian creations like Anticuchos, Chaufa Piolin, or Pescado a lo Macho at Piolin Restaurant Sr. Go out for a hand-shaken margarita and some Chorizo Norteno at Mexican restaurant Coyote Flaco. Or get some Portuguese grub like Bife na Pedra, Tilapia Espanhola, or Mariscada a Chef at Primavera Pub!
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
