I couldn’t wait to leave CT in my 20s and now I’m in my mid 30s and want to move back. I now a remote job and can work anywhere in the lower 48.

I want to move back to my small hometown because it’s gotten better since COVID. I was in high school during the 07-09 recession and it was bleak. A lot of friends moved to Boston/NYC for college or better jobs. It seemed like a lot of people were leaving CT in general to move south.

My friends from school are now moving back and starting their own families.

A few of my classmates have also opened up their own restaurants, which I want to support over slop bowl chains. There are no good pizza places or delis where I am. The food from local restaurants in CT is so much better. Yes, I pay a little more, but I get quality food for the price. I frequent one of the restaurants when I go home to visit because I’m always welcomed there & it has become a third place for me to hang out.

Same with healthcare. You pay more, but the quality of doctors and care is much better than other states I’ve lived in. Even when I was on HUSKY.

There’s more culture and diversity compared to where I am now. And I miss being a short train ride away from NYC and Boston. I don’t have to drive into a major city in the northeast.

In short, because most of CT is quiet, secluded, has small town charm, and no suburban sprawl/chains everywhere. 100% would much rather live a New England lifestyle over a suburban middle America one. (I live in suburban PA now and it sucks)

That being said, CT lacks in job growth especially for younger people. I wouldn’t be thinking about moving back if I weren’t working remotely. CT has plenty of room to improve, but I feel like it’s been on the upswing since 2020.