When I think about moving to Connecticut, my first thought is, "Isn't that an expensive area?"

It's right next to New York and in the New England region, so housing prices and taxes are high, and it feels like money just flows out when you go shopping. However, if we look at the capital, Hartford, the story changes a bit.

If we estimate Hartford's cost of living index at around 118, that means it's about 18% more expensive compared to the national average of 100. It's not cheap, but when compared within Connecticut, it's actually a relatively more affordable city.

The biggest difference is in housing prices. A one-bedroom apartment in Hartford can be found for about $1,200 to $1,700 per month. While that may seem expensive compared to the past, if you head down to Stamford or Greenwich, you can easily find prices in the mid to high $2,000s, making Hartford look quite reasonable.

The same goes for single-family homes. In Hartford, you can find houses in the low $200,000s to low $300,000s, so not all homes in Connecticut are priced at $700,000 or $800,000. However, there's an important point to consider. You shouldn't just buy based on housing prices alone. The differences in neighborhood environments and schools are significant, so families with children often compare areas like West Hartford or Glastonbury as well. Naturally, that drives up housing prices.

Groceries are also not particularly cheap, as is typical for New England. For a family of four, depending on eating habits, you should budget around $900 to $1,300 per month. Fortunately, Connecticut has a general sales tax of 6.35%, but most groceries purchased for home consumption are exempt from sales tax. There are also tax-free periods for clothing items below a certain price, which can be beneficial if utilized well.

What worries me more is the electricity bill. Connecticut is among the states with the highest electricity rates in the US. The utility costs can vary significantly depending on the heating method and the size of the home. If you're looking for an older single-family home, you need to check not just the price but also the condition of the windows, insulation, and whether the heating is gas or electric. You might be shocked when you receive your first winter bill and think, "Oh my, what is this?"

For transportation, you can use the CTtransit bus in the city, and you can also travel by train through New Haven towards New York. However, if you start living in suburbs like West Hartford, Avon, Simsbury, or Glastonbury, it's more convenient to think of having a car as almost essential. If you have two cars, you need to factor in insurance and gas costs into your living expenses.

One reason Hartford is still a decent place to live is because of job opportunities. It's not called the Insurance Capital for nothing. Insurance and finance companies have been established here for a long time, and there are also jobs in healthcare and education.

For Korean families, I wouldn't judge Hartford solely based on the city center. If you have children, living in suburbs like West Hartford or Glastonbury while commuting to Hartford is a realistic option. While the school and living environment improve, housing prices and property taxes will also rise.

Ultimately, Hartford is definitely a city with a higher cost of living compared to the national average. However, it's not a place to give up on just because "Connecticut is too expensive to live in." After looking at prices in Greenwich or Stamford, when you see Hartford's housing prices, you start to feel quite clever. Just a moment ago, I thought a $300,000 house was expensive, but suddenly I find myself thinking, "Wow, this isn't bad at all!"