Beautiful ocean views? Check. Sports headquarters for ESPN? Check. Huge museum of clocks and history? Check. Nicknamed the "Bell City" after a positively zany history involving manufacturing doorbells? Check.
Bristol lies 20 miles southwest of Hartford, and clocks in at just over 60,000 residents. ESPN's main studios are found here, so if you're a sports junkie you've got to take a gander through town. Like adrenaline outside of sports? Don't worry, the oldest functioning theme park in the U.S. is here, too. Like the softer side of things? You can always check out the annual "Mum" festival, dedicated to the chrysanthemum flower--just try saying that name more than 5 times in a row!
Accommodating
Bristol is a beautiful area to live in, and with a wide range of homes, condos and apartments to choose from, moving there is a piece of cake. The neighbors are even so nice they might have cake waiting for you when you get there! The choices all around are pretty good, with one bedroom apartments for rent that allow pets (woof and meow accommodated) and you can expect to lock in a place with all utilities paid for around $600 a month.
If you're moving for pleasure (as opposed to business, of course), finding work while you're there should really be a walk in the park. Constant development throughout the city has led to the creation of more than a few blue collar jobs--no pain, no gain. You can also try ESPN, the largest sports broadcasting network in the world; their employees number over 3,500. No pain for you, plenty of pain for the athletes you report on, though.
Picking a Connecticut 'Hood
You can probably guess the neighborhoods in Connecticut aren't exactly "hood." However, with a booming selection of neighborhoods to choose from, it should come as no surprise that you'll have plenty of choices between being a prince or a pauper.
With prices ranging covering a wide range of monthly costs, you'll be hard pressed to break the bank moving here. Oh, and did we mention all utilities are paid for? Sure, it's not for every house, but if you're lucky enough to snag one with all bills paid, you'll be able to spend those cold winter nights blasting the heat with the windows open--just don't let your landlord catch you, they tend to frown on such frivolities.
Fun For the Whole Family
If you're a fan of the great outdoors, Bristol has just the attraction for you. Composed of over 402 acres, Bristol has been packed with family fun since 1846--you know, for those 180 year old kids-at-heart. If you want some peace and alone time, camping, swimming, and sailing can be your exotic escape along the Atlantic Ocean.
For those of us that want to enjoy the comfort of the outdoors from inside, the Mum Festival (formerly known as the ‘Fall Festival’) is a blossoming (sorry, that was too easy) flower paradise. In addition to the festival, the town hosts an annual Street Festival featuring a motorcade that includes members from Miner’s Farm, Shepherd Meadows and Roberts Orchard--who said Bristol doesn't know how to let loose?
Just Bristol Being Bristol
Maintaining a clean, healthy environment is very important to the locals, and if you've seen the locale you can easily see why. To help in this effort, preserving historical sites and ancient architecture is a priority. At the risk of being a little bit too much like Hot Fuzz--it is for the greater good, after all--the 'Blight Committee' in Bristol is responsible for keeping the town squeaky clean and welcoming. They've worked in the past on removing old cars, demolishing unsightly buildings and cleaning up unkempt property. Don't worry, as long as you explain that you're new they might let it slide... just don't let them catch your beater out of your garage.