Covid has created some gifts for some people. And, yes, this will smack of suburban privilege. But Connecticut brings that possibility for many. Given Covid, family time has increased dramatically and commuting time has decreased dramatically. Outdoor – socially distanced – activities also increased. Life is nice in Connecticut and thus a great place to build a career. I write this for any New Yorker evaluating whether to make the move here. You might never have considered so before. But the pandemic has certainly shifted many perspectives.

I say this as a city guy. I grew up outside of New York.  I lived and worked in Philadelphia and Washington, DC before moving to Connecticut.  Most of my friends still live in and around those major metropolitan areas.  None provide as much likelihood of career-life balance as Connecticut.

The lives my friends lead in those cities is exhausting.  While I-95 has terrible traffic at times, many of those areas have congested traffic at almost all times.  My DC friends have to battle with “the beltway”.  My NY friends move at a snail’s pace across the GW bridge.  My Philly friends deal with the Schukyll.  It might be hard to believe for those who regularly battle Connecticut’s traffic but I still would take Connecticut’s traffic over any of the above.

The work ethos in those cities is also different.  10-12 hour days at the office are run of the mill.  14 hour days are not infrequent.  That would be 9 am to 11 pm plus the long commutes!

I live in Shoreline, CT.  Most of those who have figured out their “career” path have lifestyles that are enviable.  They are home for their children’s events.  They have dinner with their families.  They really do have the weekends off.  That’s the beauty of living in a place where work does not dominate one’s life.