Hartford vs Providence?

[HartfordTycoon]

A thought just occured to me. Even as we argue here as to which is the better city, our convention center representatives will be trying to bring in business to their cities against the competition from other cities. At issue will undoubtably be transportation issues such as airport/rail/bus transportation and accommodation access. Providence now competes with cities such as Pittsburg, Boston and I guess now Hartford. But which city would you want to hold your convention in?

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I would say Hartford but I am biased we all know that. If I had to guess though I would say geographically Hartford has some advantages, not to say Prov. doesn't. I think people in our tri state region of NY NJ CT are more familiar and comfortable in CT. Hartford is covered in the Metro section of the NY Times(don't ask me why) so they are way more familiar with us. But most in New England would prefer Prov. or Boston. I think that outside of the Northeast it's a toss up. I will say that CT is higher profile than RI thanks mostly to Uconn. You see Hartford and the civic center on TV way more than Prov because of this.

[AriPVD]

As far as I'm concerned, Hartford improving benefits Providence and vice versa. If you think about it, more interesting destinations within a short train or car ride from Providence increases our own city's attractiveness. Wouldn't it be great to say: Providence, the Northeast's best located city...45 minutes from Boston, 3.5 hours from New York and an hour/hour-half from Worcester and Hartford! A rising tide lifts all boats...

[Frankie811]

I would say Hartford but I am biased we all know that. If I had to guess though I would say geographically Hartford has some advantages, not to say Prov. doesn't. I think people in our tri state region of NY NJ CT are more familiar and comfortable in CT. Hartford is covered in the Metro section of the NY Times(don't ask me why) so they are way more familiar with us. But most in New England would prefer Prov. or Boston. I think that outside of the Northeast it's a toss up. I will say that CT is higher profile than RI thanks mostly to Uconn. You see Hartford and the civic center on TV way more than Prov because of this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, but what do conventioneers do once they get to Hartford!? Do they go to Foxwoods, or Mohegan's? Go to Max's!?

[Cotuit]

Yeah, but what do conventioneers do once they get to Hartford!? Do they go to Foxwoods, or Mohegan's?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To be fair, our Convention Center is not shy about talking up the casinos and arranging trips to them.

[Garris]

I think people in our tri state region of NY NJ CT are more familiar and comfortable in CT. Hartford is covered in the Metro section of the NY Times(don't ask me why) so they are way more familiar with us. But most in New England would prefer Prov. or Boston.

That is for sure... Having grown up solidly in the NYC metro, I can say that most in the NYC metro do consider Hartford to included, even if at the fringes, of the NYC metro sphere of influence. I think those folks draw an imaginary NYC metro boundry up through the Hudson Valley, and then along the 84 corridor.

Oddly, despite being closer to NYC, New Haven is considered by most to not be in the NYC metro, and be more a part of "New England." Most folks consider the NYC metro along the coast to end at Stamford...

I think that outside of the Northeast it's a toss up. I will say that CT is higher profile than RI thanks mostly to Uconn. You see Hartford and the civic center on TV way more than Prov because of this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would doubt this. I think, having lived in the Midwest and briefly in the Southwest, that CT and RI are equally ignored by the nation as a whole. And UConn's recent sports prominence doesn't change things much... How much more do you know about Indiana for all of Notre Dame's prominence? I just turned to my co-worker and asked him where "Touchdown Jesus" was located, and he said Notre Dame. I asked him where it was. He said "South Bend." I asked what state that was in, he said, "Hum, maybe Ohio?" See?

In my travels, I would say RI has a slightly higher prominence, but not because of Providence, but because of Newport. Many folks have vacationed there at some point in the past...

- Garris

[HartfordTycoon]

As far as I'm concerned, Hartford improving benefits Providence and vice versa.

[Cotuit]

Hartford may be closer to New York, Philly, and the Mid-Atlantic, but not being on I-95 or the Northeast Corridor is a huge disadvantage.

And not to defend ignorance, but I've heard Connecticut referred to in Boston as "the on-the-way-to New York state." Rather how Providence used to be known as "the smudge on the way to the Cape."

[HartfordTycoon]

Hartford may be closer to New York, Philly, and the Mid-Atlantic, but not being on I-95 or the Northeast Corridor is a huge disadvantage.

And not to defend ignorance, but I've heard Connecticut referred to in Boston as "the on-the-way-to New York state." Rather how Providence used to be known as "the smudge on the way to the Cape."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's not really a disadvantage if your destination is Hartford. It actually may serves us well in the future that 84 and 91 are less congested then 95. Everyone knows the fastest way from Boston to NYC is through Hartford and not wasting your time going through RI.

[HartfordTycoon]

Hartford may be closer to New York, Philly, and the Mid-Atlantic, but not being on I-95 or the Northeast Corridor is a huge disadvantage.

And not to defend ignorance, but I've heard Connecticut referred to in Boston as "the on-the-way-to New York state." Rather how Providence used to be known as "the smudge on the way to the Cape."

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But at least they know we are a state. I mean I have literally had to explain what RI is and that it is a state.

[runawayjim]

That is for sure...  Having grown up solidly in the NYC metro, I can say that most in the NYC metro do consider Hartford to included, even if at the fringes, of the NYC metro sphere of influence.  I think those folks draw an imaginary NYC metro boundry up through the Hudson Valley, and then along the 84 corridor. 

Oddly, despite being closer to NYC, New Haven is considered by most to not be in the NYC metro, and be more a part of "New England."  Most folks consider the NYC metro along the coast to end at Stamford...

actually, having spent almost my whole life in the new haven area and dating someone for many years from bridgeport and spending a lot of time in NYC... new haven is actually considered by new yorkers (people in the city, not people from the state) to be in the metro area. if i were to really give a metro area, i'd say it ends at bridgeport though. bridgeport is only a little over an hour from NYC by train and by car with no traffic, it can sometimes be just under and hour.

i would not consider hartford to be in the NYC metro, nor do most "new yorkers" (same definition)... one reason is that people from hartford tend to prefer the other baseball team.

as for what new haven is like... to me, it's a cross between NYC and boston as far as atmosphere is concerned. there's definitely a NYC influence that's strong there, but there's also a homey new england port town feeling...

I would doubt this.  I think, having lived in the Midwest and briefly in the Southwest, that CT and RI are equally ignored by the nation as a whole.  And UConn's recent sports prominence doesn't change things much...  How much more do you know about Indiana for all of Notre Dame's prominence?  I just turned to my co-worker and asked him where "Touchdown Jesus" was located, and he said Notre Dame.  I asked him where it was.  He said "South Bend."  I asked what state that was in, he said, "Hum, maybe Ohio?"  See? 

In my travels, I would say RI has a slightly higher prominence, but not because of Providence, but because of Newport.  Many folks have vacationed there at some point in the past...

- Garris

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

you know what i find absolutely hilarious being a uconn graduate? going through a sporting goods catalog, like eastbay for instance, they have all the major basketball schools except uconn... and this was even the year after they won the championship (both times).

more people from other states know CT, but those who would travel to a conference or convention in new england will know RI as well... CT has the whole stuck up snobby yuppie thing going for it and that's the first thing i hear when people ask where i'm from... they assume i'm rich and snobby. and i'm not even from fairfield county. but to their defense... it's very true for a good portion of the state. people think that the drivers in RI are selfish... try driving in fairfield county or even much of the hartford area or new haven area where every other car is an SUV. people also know CT because of the wonderful former governor who was forced to resign.

in RI's defense... people do know newport, people know block island, people know providence...

[runawayjim]

Hartford may be closer to New York, Philly, and the Mid-Atlantic, but not being on I-95 or the Northeast Corridor is a huge disadvantage.

And not to defend ignorance, but I've heard Connecticut referred to in Boston as "the on-the-way-to New York state." Rather how Providence used to be known as "the smudge on the way to the Cape."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i've heard that as well... but more so from the other side of CT... the problem with CT is there's not much going on in the whole state and there's not much to do from a national level. RI has the beaches and newport, which are known on a larger level than a lot of what CT has to offer (with the exception of new haven pizza)

[billypc99]

I am living in Surprise, AZ (20 miles NW of Phoenix) and be assured that many I have run into dont know much about providence, RI, CT or Hartford....surprisingly clueless. I cant beleive the amount of people that dont know what Uconn means. I now have to say that I graduated from the university of CT instead of uconn.

[Jenkins]

i've heard that as well... but more so from the other side of CT... the problem with CT is there's not much going on in the whole state and there's not much to do from a national level.  RI has the beaches and newport, which are known on a larger level than a lot of what CT has to offer (with the exception of new haven pizza)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have relatives in CT, both in South Windsor, just norht east of Hartford. Very nice suburban hood, but that is about it. The Buckland Hills (?) Mall complex is right off the SW exit. Disturbing. They paved over miles of land and put in what amounts to the largest strip mall ever made. Every national chain is in this area. There are even apartment buildings so that you can live and shop in the same area. A very disturbing version of a real city.

[Cotuit]

I cant beleive the amount of people that dont know what Uconn means.  I now have to say that I graduated from the university of CT instead of uconn.

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I grew up in New England and didn't know that there was a meaning for Yukon, other than the terrirtory in Canada.

Probably because I'm one of the millions of people who could care less about sports, especially college sports, I just don't get it.

[runawayjim]

I grew up in New England and didn't know that there was a meaning for Yukon, other than the terrirtory in Canada. 

Probably because I'm one of the millions of people who could care less about sports, especially college sports, I just don't get it.

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did you know what umass was?

[Cotuit]

did you know what umass was?

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yup

[HartfordTycoon]

I have relatives in CT, both in South Windsor, just norht east of Hartford. Very nice suburban hood, but that is about it. The Buckland Hills (?) Mall complex is right off the SW exit. Disturbing. They paved over miles of land and put in what amounts to the largest strip mall ever made. Every national chain is in this area. There are even apartment buildings so that you can live and shop in the same area. A very disturbing version of a real city.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah I would agree, aesthetically not great. But economically they have alot going for them in Manchester where Buckland hills is. It the same type of sprawling development that they have down south. Its hard on the eyes but I guess it serves it purpose.

[HartfordTycoon]

I grew up in New England and didn't know that there was a meaning for Yukon, other than the terrirtory in Canada.

[Garris]

I grew up in New England and didn't know that there was a meaning for Yukon, other than the terrirtory in Canada.

[virgo20]

I'll just say that all of that is in the works. Trust me on that one. I personally will shape Hartford's future.

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Maybe your the mayor himself in disguise!Hmmmmmmmmmmm!?

[Frankie811]

I grew up in New England and didn't know that there was a meaning for Yukon, other than the terrirtory in Canada. 

Probably because I'm one of the millions of people who could care less about sports, especially college sports, I just don't get it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did the college that you went to not have a sports team? Team sports raises the level of school spirit and loyalty. Rivalries between schools are great also.

[virgo20]

I think that everyone needs to stop bickering about whose city is bitter. We need to focus on POSITIVE things that are happening here in Providence.The fact of the matter is that neither city is well known outside of the Northeast. Both cities are known very well within the Northeast. Facts are Facts! Which one is the better city? Which one has drawn POSITIVE national attention from the Boston Globe and New York Times? Which one has been in Top 10 list for Money Magazine, Top 10 for culinary destinations, Top 10 for lesbian/gay, Top 10 in Hottest places to retire, Top 10 for Hottest places to Live? etc....I got news !Providence wins!Hartford loses! Hartford is on lists that cities wish they would never be on! Case f$%$n Closed!! .....and we're not talking Providence Metro...we're talking the city of Providence !!!Foxwoods is closer to us than Hatford!!West Hartford doesn't count , because if it did, we would count Barrington too!!New Haven doesn't count either, because if it did, we would count Boston!!(same distance) Six Flags doesn't count, because we would count Pats stadium and the Tweeter Centre(same distance)...and finally ...Providence has 7 million people within 1.5 hour drive from us...Hartford has much less!! N.Y.C. is 2 hours from Hartford on a good day!!! You shouldn't waste your time trying to convince everyone in the Northeast corridor that Hartford is an undiscovered blissful urban bastion not worthy of negative reviews! Hartford does not even stand up to Worcester right now! (I stand by my word..Worc. has better schools, better neighborhoods, and a broader tax base..horrible Downtown) Put your mouth to work for you and get the people intersted in Hartford again.Give me and give others a reason to come back!!! CASE REALLY F#%#N CLOSED!!!!!

[KRC]

But at least they know we are a state. I mean I have literally had to explain what RI is and that it is a state.

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So are you saying that you talk about Rhode Island and Providence and not Connecticut and Hartford in your travels? Very interesting.

[Cotuit]

Did the college that you went to not have a sports team?

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It was an art school, so, uhm, no.

[Cotuit]

Sports are not for everyone but as a business minded person you have to admit the economic impact they can have and the positive effect on morale for those who do follow them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sure sports can have a positive affect on fans, but there is also the flip side, like the Sox 86 year slump which would make a wonderful case study on it's effect on the New England psyche.

The economic impact is mixed. Too many cities spend far too much money trying to attract teams and building fancy stadiums. I think it would be folly for Hartford to try to get the NHL back.

As for the morale of the community at large, millions of us don't care. It doesn't affect us. It's a morale boost for a small portion of the population, and there is a 50/50 chance that it may end up bad for morale.