Home > Moving > City Guides > Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Hartford
View of the Hartford, CT Skyline at Golden Hour

Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Hartford

Considering living in Hartford? Connecticut’s capital city isn’t only safe—it’s also known for being one of the most affordable places to live in Connecticut! Whether you’re a young professional looking to start your career or in search of a place to settle down with your family, there’s something for everybody in these safe, affordable Hartford neighborhoods!

Blue Hills

Small White House in Blue Hills, Hartford. Photo by Instagram user @sellyourhomect

Photo via @sellyourhomect

  • Home Price: $191,067 median purchase price, $995 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Hartford neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees

A quaint neighborhood nestled on the edge of Hartford and near the suburb of Bloomfield, Blue Hills is a great place to live for commuters. Right off I-95, this affordable Hartford neighborhood is a short 15-minute drive to the city center, but the area still offers residents plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities and a huge selection of restaurants. Those looking to purchase Hartford real estate can find a variety of affordable homes in styles ranging from Colonial to Cape Cod. And, with close proximity to the University of Hartford and great schools like Watkinson School and Weaver High School, Blue Hills is a perfect Hartford neighborhood for families, students, and young professionals!

Things to Do in Blue Hills

Play a game of basketball or take the kids to the playground at Joseph V. Cronin Park. Practice your swing on the driving range or book a tee-time for 18 holes at Keney Park Golf Course. Cheer on the Hartford Hawks‘ men’s and women’s basketball teams at the Reich Family Pavilion. Sign up for tennis or pickleball lessons, and play a game of doubles with friends when you become a member at the Bloomfield Tennis Club. Bike, hike, and explore the 250 acres of Matianuck Sand Dunes Natural Area Preserve. Start your morning with a Jalepeño Everything Bagel or the Meat Lovers Omelette at Isaac’s Bagel Cafe II. Eat great pizza in Hartford when you order the Philly Steak & Cheese Pizza, Baked Ziti, or build your own Calzone at Mr. Pizza House. Order the Shrimp Eggrolls, Beef Chop Suey, and Roast Pork Lo Mein at Wei Mei Chinese Restaurant. Or enjoy Jamaican favorites like Brown Stew Chicken, Curried Goat, or Fried Fish at Scotts’ Jamaican Bakery.

Search Form Find an Extra Space Storage facility near you
Search

Downtown

Trumbull Apartments in Central Hartford. Photo by Instagram user @196trumbull

Photo via @196trumbull

  • Home Price: $59,767 median purchase price, $812 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 71% of Hartford neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals

Downtown Hartford is considered the heart of the city and is known for being a trendy neighborhood for singles and young professionals! Companies like Travelers, The Hartford, and United Healthcare offer Hartford residents jobs—but thanks to its central location, commuters can easily catch the shuttle or transit express at Hartford Union Station. And, with the University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus within the neighborhood’s borders, the city center is always buzzing with activity. An abundance of bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and entertainment—as well as the Front Street District—are all within walking distance, giving residents living in Downtown plenty of choices for things to do in Hartford.

Things to Do in Downtown Hartford

Cheer for the Hartford Yard Goats (MiLB) at Dunkin’ Donuts Park. Cheer on the University of Connecticut Huskies (D-I) by attending a basketball game or hockey game at the XL Center. Watch an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice or A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas at Hartford Stage. Spend the day at the country’s oldest public art museum and take in works created throughout the ages, from Ancient Egypt to contemporary European Art at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Order the Fruity Pebble French Toast and Nutella Coconut Pancakes while sipping on bottomless mimosas or the Drink My Bathwater cocktail at The Place 2 Be. Stop by Max Downtown for Colossal Shrimp Scampi, Aged New York Strip Steak, and Salted Caramel Baked Alaska paired with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Try the Moink Balls, Paw Paw’s Poutine, and a full rack of Baby Back Ribs at Bear’s Smokehouse. Or enjoy Caribbean dishes like the Brown Stew Snapper, Coconut Curry Chickpea, and Jerk Chicken at The Russell.

Sheldon Charter Oak

  • Home Price: $88,450 median purchase price, $903 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 65% of Hartford neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Known as the first settlement in Hartford, Sheldon Charter Oak is home to the Charter Oak Monument, which was one of the spots the royal charter granting legitimacy to Connecticut was hidden. Located just south of Downtown Hartford and along the Connecticut River, Sheldon Charter Oak is perfect for those wanting to live near the city’s hustle and bustle with picturesque views! So, if you’re looking to buy a home in Hartford, you’ll find a variety of affordable options in Victorian and Colonial-style houses, as well as a great selection of condos and townhomes near the river or expansive Colt Park.

Things to Do in Sheldon Charter Oak

Spend the day walking the trails, swimming, or playing a game of baseball at Colt Park. Launch your boat off the Charter Oak Landing or spend the day fishing at the Connecticut River. Cheer on Connecticut’s only pro soccer team, Hartford Athletics (USL), at Trinity Health Stadium. Support the local performing arts, exhibits, and ensembles at the Charter Oak Cultural Center. Order your favorite Chinese-American dishes such as the Spring Rolls, Chicken Fried Rice, and Shrimp Lo Mein at New World Chinese Restaurant. Try American fare with a mix of southern flavors like the Guilty Nachos, Inside Out grilled Cheese Jerk Chicken, and Salmon Bites at Guilty Kitchen & Lounge. Order the Classic BLT, Philly Cheesesteak, and a side of Cajun Fries while jamming out to live music at Arch Street Tavern. Or catch up with friends while sipping on a Hop Meadow IPA, Blonde Ale, or Sizzling Hippie at Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt.

South West

Classic residence home in South West. Photo by Instagram user @mcguirehomellc

Photo via @mcguirehomellc

  • Home Price: $158,543 median purchase price, $821 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 76% of Hartford neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

If you’re seeking a quieter lifestyle, consider living in the safe Hartford neighborhood of South West. Located in the southwestern corner of Hartford, South West is a more suburban neighborhood, with a slower-paced vibe and plenty of green spaces to visit! Children in this safe neighborhood can go to E.B. Kennelly School or attend a school in the Wethersfield or Newingtown Public School Districts. Families of all sizes can find a variety of affordable homes in South West ranging in styles from Cape Cod to Colonial. Those looking to rent in Hartford will find a great selection of reasonably priced apartments to pick from, too!

Things to Do in South West

Feast on classic Greek food, jam out to live music, and watch traditional folk dances at St. George’s Annual Greek Festival. Sign up for golf lessons or book a tee time and play a quick nine at Goodwin Park Golf Course. Take advantage of South West’s 3,000 acres of forest and 30 miles of trails at the MDC Reservoirs. Join your kids on the splash pad or race down the slides at Forster Heights Playground. Have your fill of Italian dishes like Spaghetti with Meatballs, Margherita Pizza, or Penne Ala Vodka at First & Last Tavern, which has been a Hartford favorite since 1936! Savor Mexican dishes like the Taquitos Dorados, Chorizo Norteno, or Empanadas at Coyote Flaco. Get a taste of authentic Peruvian cuisine like the Leche de Tigre, Chaufa de Pollo, and Lomo Saltado at Piolin Restaurant. Or have a specialty pizza in Hartford like the Shrimp Scampi, Clam Casino, or Broccoli Bianca Pizza at ABC Pizza House.

West End

  • Home Price: $228,300 median purchase price, $894 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 88% of Hartford neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

As one of the safest neighborhoods in Hartford, West End is perfect for anyone looking to live away from busy city life. And while the diverse collection of restaurants, cafes, and bars lining Farmington Ave offers some of that city lifestyle, more entertainment can be found at the West End Farmers’ Market or events hosted by the West End Civic Association—like the community-involved Holiday Giving Project or 100 Neighbors Who Care. Families in particular are drawn to these events, and also appreciate being close to top-rated schools like Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School and Hartford Public High School. For those attending the University of Connecticut School of Law, West End’s central location is a great for commuting. And, as an historical area, residents can find gorgeously preserved Colonial and Queen Anne housing options throughout the neighborhood, with front and backyards big enough for young households to grow into.

Things to Do in West End

See where the famous author and his family called home when you stop by Mark Twain’s House. Tour more than 2,000 works of art, some of which date back to the 15th century, in the Art Museum at USJ. Learn about the history of Connecticut while visiting the Connecticut Historical Society Museum & Library. Stroll through the rose gardens, relax by the pond, or attend one of the free outdoor summer concerts at Elizabeth Park. Get your caffeine fix with a shot of espresso or Chai Latte, or try specialty cocktails at night like the Hibiscus Blossom or Scorpion Bowl at Tisane Hartford. Chow down authentic Mexican food like the Cocktail de Camaron, Mole Poblano, and Enchilada Oaxaquenas at Monte Alban Restaurant. Try Tabouli Salad, Lamb Gyros, or the Chicken Curry with Chickpeas at Mediterranean restaurant Tangiers International. Or sample from 18 rotating beer taps, like the Sea Hag and Double Scoop IPA, and more than 150 bottled and canned beers at Spigot Cafe.

***

Moving to Hartford? With convenient storage locations throughout the greater Hartford area, Extra Space Storage has self storage solutions to help make your transition go smoothly. Find cheap storage units in Hartford!

Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes

View of the Hartford skyline at daybreak.