GSO Guide to Student Life
Daily Life in the Greater Hartford Area
Finding a Place to Live
Finding a place to live can sometimes be a difficult and
exhausting experience, but the following ideas should help you
in your search to find a place to live in the Greater Hartford
area.
The Health Center does not have on-campus housing, so you
will need to find housing off campus. Very often students at the
Health Center post advertisements for roommates or apartment
rentals on information boards located throughout the building.
And one of the best ways to find a place to live in the area is
the Housing Notebook kept by the Dental School in AG-036 (the
first office next to the Patterson Auditorium, across from the
Bookstore) that lists some of the available housing options and
students seeking roommates; this info is used often and is
available for all students: graduate, medical and dental.
Students cannot take the book out of the office, but the office
has comfy couches and a house phone and are students are welcome
to come down and peruse it during regular office hours.
In addition to the Housing Notebook, a list of some of the
local
apartment complexes (PDF) has been compiled to get you
started in your search.
If you aren't able to locate a place through either of these
resources, or if you're not interested in rooming with a fellow
student, other choices for finding a suitable place to live
would include the classified ads in both the
New Britain Herald and the
Hartford Courant, and free weekly newspapers such as
Tradewinds and the Rare Reminder (each available at convenience
stores in West Hartford and Hartford) are a good source for
local apartments (usually those in two and three family homes).
Additionally, some websites that many students have found
helpful include:
Scanning the classified ads can be time consuming though. An
alternative to the classified ads is to use the Apartment Guide.
This guide can be obtained in lobbies of banks and some grocery
stores or at the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. Virtually
all the apartments advertised in the Apartment Guide are in
large complexes located throughout the Greater Hartford area.
As a last resort, check with a local realtor, but keep in
mind that the apartments that they have listed are often
expensive.
Wherever you find a place to live, keep in mind that usually
a security deposit equivalent to one month's rent is required
and sometimes a credit check (at your cost) will be conducted.
However, many apartment complexes will offer specials throughout
the year, especially in the summer, so be sure to ask if they
have any deals!
Public Transportation
Many apartments in Farmington and nearby cities are on the
local bus line, which has the Health Center as one of its stops.
Local buses also run to West Farms Mall on the Farmington/West
Hartford town line and Buckland Hills Mall in Manchester, among
other locations. Details on the local bus system (known as
CTTransit), including bus fares, where to purchase bus passes,
where local bus routes run, and what their schedules are can be
found on their website at
www.cttransit.com. The Health Center stop can be found on
both the New Britain Farmington Avenue line (F line) and the
Hartford Farmington Avenue line (66F, 66H and 66T).
For regional and cross country travel by train or bus, you
can travel out of the Hartford Terminal at 1 Union Place in
downtown Hartford. For train information, check out
www.amtrak.com.
National/regional bus companies that run out of the Hartford
terminal include Greyhound
and Peter Pan.
For air travel, plan on flying into/out of Bradley
International Airport located in Windsor Locks, CT, which is
about 40 minutes from the Greater Hartford area (when purchasing
tickets, Bradley International (airport code BDL) will often
show the city as Hartford/Springfield/Windsor Locks; this is the
correct airport). Major airlines including American,
Continental, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, United, and US Airways
all fly into/out of BDL. For more information on the airport
itself, go to
www.bradleyairport.com.
Local Banks
There are a vast number of branches of local banks in close
proximity to the Health Center. Most of the products offered are
the same but keep in mind that several banks offer free checking
(no monthly service charge, no minimum balance requirement, and
no fee to write checks) as long as you have direct deposit to
your account. Peoples Bank (several locations on Farmington
Avenue in West Hartford) offers such an account and it comes
with a special savings account which pays a nominal interest
rate. They have an extremely convenient ATM at the hospital
entrance to the Health Center, as well as inside local Stop &
Shop grocery stores. On the other hand, Fleet Bank requires a
minimum balance in your checking account to avoid fees.
To sign up for direct deposit, the bank will either provide
you with the forms needed or instruct you to obtain them at the
Health Center (you can get them from Human Resources in the ASB).
In any case, remember to shop around to avoid losing precious
dollars by paying unnecessary bank service charges. Be sure to
ask if they have a student checking account and if so, what the
benefits are. Your stipend only goes so far!
Here's a list of some of the banks you'll find close to the
Health Center. Also, check the Yellow Pages of the phone
directory for a location closer to you.
- Bank of America, 781 Farmington Avenue, Farmington,
800-841-4000
- Farmington Savings Bank, 32 Main Street, Farmington,
860-679-4600; also located in West Farms Mall
- Fleet Bank, 1447 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford,
1-800-833-6623
- Peoples Bank, 1013 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford,
860-233-6201
- Sovereign Bank, 1010 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford,
1-877-SOV-BANK; also located in West Farms Mall and some
grocery stores such as Shaw’s in New Britain
- TD Banknorth, 143 South Main Street, West Hartford,
860-561-7335
Where to Find Grocery Stores
Grocery stores are abundant in the Greater Hartford area. You
can easily find chain stores (Super Stop & Shop, Big Y, Shaw’s,
etc.), regional markets, great mom and pop stores, and specialty
stores featuring ethnic cuisine. Most of the larger stores are
located in more populated areas and on busy streets. You can
probably locate one close to you simply by driving around. The
closest grocery store to the Health Center is the Stop & Shop at
1235 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford. Also convenient to
where many students live is the Super Stop & Shop at 44 Fenn
Road (just off Route 9) in Newington. Reliable mom and pop
stores can probably be found in the neighborhood you choose to
live, although prices tend to be higher than at the large retail
chains. To find those specialty shops or markets special in
ethnic groceries check the Yellow Pages of the phone directory.
You can also find links to grocery stores, restaurants, hotels,
etc. at
hartford.citysearch.com.
Car Mechanics
A good place to have your oil changed is Jiffy Lube. They
offer a 14 point service check-up for approximately $35.00. You
are in and out of there in about 20 minutes. Jiffy Lube can be
found in virtually every town and there is one located directly
across from the West Farms Mall in the Sears Automotive
building.
Midas, Firestone, Meineke, and Monro are good places to have
brake and muffler repairs. Midas is impressive in that they
offer "car life-time warrantees" on most of their services.
Also, these services can be found in most towns.
A word of caution. Local garages may seem appealing when they
offer lower prices for repairs compared to dealerships or
national automobile repair companies. However, their work can be
poor, unreliable, and not guaranteed, so be sure to ask around!
Local Haircut Places
Salons and barber shops are abundant in the Greater Hartford
area. Most of the salons in Farmington and West Hartford however
are quite expensive. Depending on how fussy you are, try a salon
which does not offer the frills (fancy appearance and other
services such as nails, waxing, facials, tanning) and you will
probably get a decent cut at a reasonable price ($15.00 to
$20.00). Also, keep in mind that if you do not let them style
your hair (blow dry and curl) you may pay less. You can also
save money by requesting that they do not wash you hair first,
but simply wet it. Remember to ask before they begin to see if
any student discounts or rates apply.
Hair salons are listed under Beauty Salons in the Yellow
Pages and Barber shops under Barbers. Some that we suggest are:
Cost Cutters in Corbins Plaza (near Sears) and Bristol and
Master Cuts in West Farms Mall and Buckland Hills Mall (in
Manchester).
Local Libraries and Bookstores
Your local library is a valuable community resource to be
used. Usually you have to show ID (passport, driver's license),
and proof of residence in that town. Often libraries will bend
this rule for out-of-state students living within their
community and attending college. The West Hartford Public
Library system offers such a program. In addition, most public
libraries in Connecticut allow you to borrow materials free of
charge with what's called a "ConnecticaRoad" When you borrow
materials out of town, just be sure to follow the lending rules
of the library you visit. Materials may be returned to the
nearest participating library. Remember, libraries can be great
places to study.
The Town of West Hartford has three public libraries:
- Main Library, 20 South Main Street, 860-523-3277
- Faxon Branch, 173 New Britain Avenue, 860-523-5545
- Bishop's Corner Branch, 15 Starkel Road, 860-236-5445
In Farmington there are two public libraries:
- Farmington Library, Farmington Avenue, 860-673-6791
- Village Library, Main Street, 860-677-6866
There are several large scale bookstores that are in close
proximity to the Health Center. These bookstores are Borders
Books and Music and Barnes and Noble. Each are located on New
Britain Avenue (close to the West Farms Mall and Corbins
Corner). Each offer a wide selection of books and music and also
boast great cafes. There are also several book stores in the
local malls, and used book shops in the area.
Post Offices
No matter which city or town you choose to live in, you
should find a post office nearby. To locate the nearest one to
you see "The Government & Municipal Guide" in the Blue Pages of
your phone book under United States Government/United States
Postal Service or visit the U.S.
Postal Service website. The closest Post Office to the
Health Center is located in West Hartford Center on 102 LaSalle
Road, 860-231-2865.
You can buy stamps at the Bookstore and Connucopia Gift
Shop in the hospital lobby. There is a mailbox just outside the
Academic Entrance where you can drop letters to be mailed; daily
pickup is currently 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m.
on Saturday (there is no mail delivery on Sundays).
Places of Worship
The Greater Hartford area is home to numerous religious
organizations. You can find those closest to you in the Yellow
pages under ‘Churches,’ but here are a few options in the
Greater Hartford area.
Baptist
- Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, 149 Mountain Road,
West Hartford, 860-521-8380
- Chinese Baptist Church, 90 North Main Street, West
Hartford, 860-521-4763
- Saint James Baptist Church, 20 Dix Avenue, New Britain,
860-224-7736
- Emmanuel Baptist Church, 296 New Britain Avenue,
Newington, 860-666-1055
- First Baptist Church of West Hartford, 90 North Main
Street, West Hartford, 860-521-9460
Buddhist
- Buddhist Pagoda, 255 Cherry Street, New Britain,
860-612-0077
Catholic
- Saint Patrick’s Church, 110 Main Street, Farmington,
860-677-2639
- Saint Brigid Church, 1088 New Britain Avenue, West
Hartford, 860-236-5965
- Holy Cross Church, 31 Biruta Street, New Britain,
860-229-2011
- Church of the Holy Spirit, 183 Church Street, Newington,
860-666-5671
Church of Christ
- Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, 19 Franklin Square, New
Britain, 860-832-9091
- Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, 595 Franklin Avenue,
Hartford, 860-243-0502
- Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, 750 Meriden Waterbury
Turnpike, Southington, 860-6285-0617
Congregational
- Covenant Congregational Church, 1 Westminster Drive,
West Hartford, 860-521-2269
- Church-Christ Congregational, 1075 Main Street,
Newington, 860-666-4689
- South Congregational Church, 90 Main Street, New
Britain, 860-223-3691
Episcopal
- Saint James Episcopal Church, 3 Mountain Road,
Farmington, 860-677-1564
- Grace Episcopal Church, 124 Maple Hill Avenue,
Newington, 860-666-3331
- Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington Avenue,
West Hartford, 860-523-5201
- Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, 147 West Main Street, New
Britain, 860-826-8049
Hindu
- Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple, 18 Hickory Hill Road,
Simsbury, 860-651-0343
Islam
- Muhammad Mosque of Islam, 135 Barbour Street, Hartford,
860-525-2862
Jehovah’s Witness
- Jehovah’s Witnesses, 232 Slater Road, New Britain,
860-223-9117
Jewish
- Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Road, Newington,
860-561-1055
- Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford,
860-233-9696
- Temple B’Nai Israel, 265 West Main Street, New Britain,
860-244-0479
Korean
- Greater Hartford Korean United, 711 New Britain Avenue,
Hartford, 860-953-0141
- First Korean Presbyterian, 300 Chapel Road, Manchester,
860-645-1416
Lutheran
- Bethany Lutheran Church, 1655 Boulevard, West Hartford,
860-521-5076
- Grace Lutheran Church, 222 Farmington Avenue,
Plainville, 860-747-5191
- Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 1655 Main Street,
Newington, 860-667-2291
- First Lutheran Church, 77 Franklin Square, New Britain,
860-224-2475
Methodist
- West Hartford United Methodist, 1358 New Britain Avenue,
West Hartford, 860-521-7766
- United Methodist Church, 401 New Britain Avenue,
Newington, 860-666-3479
- Asbury United Methodist Church, 90 Church Avenue,
Bristol, 860-584-0529
Non-Demoninational
Presbyterian
- Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Boulevard, West
Hartford, 860-521-6240
- First Presbyterian Church, 136 Capital Avenue, Hartford,
860-246-2224
- Covenant Presbyterian Church, 124 Old Farms Road,
Simsbury, 860-658-9772
- First Korean Presbyterian, 300 Chapel Road, Manchester,
860-645-1416
Unitarian
- Unitarian Universalist Church, 830 Corbin Avenue, New
Britain, 860-828-6141
- Unitarian Meeting House, 50 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford,
860-233-9897
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