HARTFORD: What I Saw In Connecticut's Capital City

I visited Hartford, Connecticut.
Travel Vlog #74
#Hartford #SkylineDroneFootage

[@oldRoyaltypewriter]

I grew up in suburban Hartford. In the 1960s my friends and I used to take the bus into the city, and we always had a great time. There were many interesting stores like G. Fox & Co., Sage-Allen and E.J. Korvettes. The sidewalks were packed with people, and there were many places to eat, at all price points. Hartford looks so dreary now.

[@tawanagradybulgado9385]

Great look at my hometown. Where you were at in the beginning was Bushnell Park and that was the Arc. The historic carousel is there. great childhood memories. Downtown was much more active, family friendly while I was growing up. They had the Richardson Mall & The Civic Center mall with bookstores etc. There was a McDonald's and a Wendy's. It now represents places and things that cater to the corporate/wealthy. Everything is closed by 5p. It was busier PRE-COVID! i grew up in the South END, what used to be Little Italy. We had a yearly Italian Festival. Hartford was great back in the 80's/90's!

[@jackiekelly3357]

Those "huge" three story houses your driving by are multity family homes. Theres a family on each floor. 3+families living in them. You drove around during the middle of the day during the week. Drive through at night, it's a whole different scene. And for downtown being dead, people are working and not walking around in 45 degree weather in the rain.

[@etevejames4264]

I was born here and lived in this area my whole life . Im 70 years old and it was totally different in the 50s and 60s. its amazing watching all your videos how all the state capitols all look alike. watching you go thru the US is fascinating and I find myself watching your channel for hours

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you!

[@helenrolon2590]

Hartford is my home town, born and raised, I have been living in PA for literally half my life, but still hold Hartford close to my heart. Poverty or not, it is a historical city which makes it special.

[@Whalers860]

I like how he goes to the north end at 7am and say crimes not that bad 😂

[@sostdm617]

He's crazy crime in Hartford north end is crazy

[@kremepie6705]

@@sostdm617 My Nana lived in the triplex she was born in on Eastford Street. By 1965, the area was too dangerous to live in- you could get jumped in the daytime.

[@bradleysample3246]

Missed the Whalers from the 90's.I had to drive all the way back to Norwalk after a few.Driving on 91 had no lights

[@JeezMayne]

@@bradleysample3246 real

[@CC-mg3ho]

You should go there on a Saturday night You should also check out Bridgeport and New Haven

[@steveslivemusic]

I grew up in a suburb about 15 minutes outside of Hartford. Hartford has definitely seen better days, but it does have some gorgeous historic architecture especially in the downtown area. There’s actually a lot of really nice green space parks in the city. The problem with Hartford is everybody works in the downtown area but lives in the outer suburbs. There isn’t much to keep people in Hartford because there’s not much to do and because of the high crime rate. I’m still hoping one day it can revitalize itself because I do think it has a lot of potential.

[@bumblebee2410]

I lived in Hartford for a year back in 2008/9 and I loved the architecture even the dilapidated ones. I would love to see the city preserve those buildings. I too noticed the downtown area is bare on the weekend to the point where I rode my bike down the center of the street without incident. Hartford has so much potential I hope they rescue it before it's too late

[@petertorza1949]

I was born in Hartford in 1949 on the south side. In the 50.s it was predominantly Italian. And stretched all the way to the downtown area along the river where the poorest of the Italians lived. During that time the insurance industry was still growing and the main route N and S, I91 was just being built so there were a lot of buses. Next to the old state house there was a small building with a a newspaper stand an there were 6 lanes where bus transfers could take place. The streets were so filled with people you had to say excuse me just to get by. There were no less than 5 movie theaters right in the immediate downtown and about 3 more within a short walk. The Allen Theater, the Lowe’s Poli, the EM Lowe’s, the Strand and the State. West Hartford about 4 miles west was the place to be and still is. To the north was poorest part of town closely followed east Hartford which was across the only bridge connecting the downtown and the east. In the 60’s came Hartfords first shot of modernization. They opened constitution plaza along the river in town, built a dyke and opened the first NS hiway essentially wiping out the tenaments and ethenticty of the downtown Seemed like a move in the right direction. But then came the 70,s. Hartford decided to make a move Towards major league sports with the Hartford Whalers. There came a a huge wrecking ball on a huge crane and wiped out the soul of the city. The movie theaters were gone. The old restaurants were gone and basically everything was gone. Including a street near the train station that was like a mini Greenwich village called union St. The whalers were a complete flop and Hartford never did or ever will come back from such a grievous mistake. That’s when I packed my bags to make my fortune in California. 10 years ago I moved back to the country of Connecticut, I missed the 4 seasons. Now I drive along the picturesque winding roads on a motorcycle with a sidecar and my dog. My only regret is that I never bought a condo in Florida for the dreaded Connecticut winter.

[@elmorenaim5401]

I'm from Hartford and those 3 story houses are actually 3 family homes, plus Hartford has been fixed up alot, not the same as in the 90's.

[@stephenmenyfield2110]

facts. those house are all rented out and not nice inside. and hartford has been cleaned up since my younger days. 90s were the worst times. he couldn't drive through back then. 😂😂😂

[@scottbrenham1341]

Were Hartford got rough 1970s etc Boston is much bigger and was rougher.

[@sostdm617]

@@scottbrenham1341 per Capita Roxbury Dorchester and Mattapan hundreds of murders in Boston back then but Hartford is a grimey city also

[@MsGeminorum]

People work in downtown Hartford and then go home to the suburbs at night. That is why it is quiet.

[@leakedboss]

Hartford Connecticut lookin like a GTA map that didn’t load in all the way.

[@markmalasics3413]

LOL, that's gotta be the best one I've heard yet! Thank you.

[@daviddecelles8714]

Those three story houses were built as "three deckers" to be occupied by at least 3 (and sometimes 6) separate families (front and back). Anyway, I'm enjoying my vicarious visits across the U.S courtesy of your videos and your subtle sense of humor with an affinity for Irish malts.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

LOL!!

[@scottbrenham1341]

I live in Massachusetts If you visit Boston and Worcester they have alot of 3 decker buildings. It was were the working people lived when factory work was big. If you go back 1970s and 1980s it was really rough. Organized crime was still there winter hill gang with the famous whitey bulger. Major construction projects are underway cleaning up

[@Simplified04]

To be fair, the downtown was most likely very quiet because it was a rainy day. But you’re right, it’s really small and there’s not much to do downtown. I’ve been to Hartford many times and it’s nice as long as you stay in downtown. Even if you go out of downtown, it is really dangerous but the houses aren’t too bad compared to Baltimore, Detroit, St. Louis etc. Other than what I mentioned earlier, you made a good summary of Hartford. I’ve subscribed.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, Simplified, glad to have you. Feel free to comment on any video, as I'll be interested to hear what you have to say.

[@Simplified04]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip No problem. I will keep watching these videos!

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

NO Hartford is not nice

[@kevinsullivan136]

Hartford is desolate even on days when not raining or snowing. Between 9-5 Mon-Fri U might see a very slight difference of people walking to get lunch, etc. I went to a Sunday game at Dunkin Donuts Park vs Binghamton Mets & walked around last April & other than by parking lots it seemed no 1 B4 or after was walking around by Bushnell Park, etc.

[@tawanagradybulgado9385]

Hartford has its crime yes, however, it is NOT very dangerous outside of downtown. I was born and raised here. I also worked downtown many years precovid. Also, Bushnell park is absolutely beautiful!

[@cooperhilinsky6361]

Pretty sure that Irish Lady bar is actually called The Russian Lady. If you were near the Hartford Civic Center then yes. Parts of Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport are bad yes, but overall Connecticut isn’t a bad place to live (if you love high taxes).

[@jonathanjudd3168]

It still is the Russian Lady, they just put that IRISH sign up for St Patrick Day.

[@gamingwithscottie1478]

I’m a Connecticut resident. I live just outside of Bridgeport, which is the state’s largest city, but I have been to Hartford many times. I wish the Whalers would return! I think should they return, their arena would be in East Hartford, adjacent to Rentschler Field, which is where UConn plays football, and it would be much bigger than the XL Center.

[@daviddesmond2143]

I have lived in Harford suburbs for over 60 years. It is shameful how much poverty and crime there is. I used to go to play my bass at jams in city clubs but it is no longer safe to do that. Funny you saw the Irish Lady. It is actually the Russian Lady and they renamed it Irish after the war in Ukraine broke out. I hope you do more of other areas in Connecticut, it is a beautiful state. About 20 years ago Hartford started evicting people and tore down housing sending the poorest people out of the city and into neighboring towns. Huge problem with gangs, drugs and crime of all sorts. Yet 5 miles out of Hartford life is good and people make lots of $. Enjoy your videos! I'm wondering where you two will end up living after all your travels are over-and I'm sure it won't be in Hartford!

[@MrBrick68]

I've lived on the northend, and currently on the southend. I've been told be law enforcement that crime is even, however it seems worse to me on the southend. In the 80s and 90s, downtown Hartford was mini New York City. Once Macy's closed, and the mini clothing stores closed, it was the beginning of the end. Hartford hasn't been the same once the dance clubs closed in the 2000s. Dead ever since.

[@ghettoboydreamsofficial888]

I live in Hartford you saying it’s really not that bad like you live there. A lot of stuff is new. All the projects new. Doesn’t mean it’s not bad. People getting killed, assaulted everyday. Most of these houses you saying big are 3-4 family homes.

[@Jayrbx78]

I live here and its not bad no one's getting assaulted unless it's a domestic dispute

[@ghettoboydreamsofficial888]

@@Jayrbx78 Maybe, people get robbed where I’m from all the time 😂

[@Jayrbx78]

@@ghettoboydreamsofficial888 not here everyone knows one another so if someone gets shot they knew each other and it was personal

[@jeremywalston4963]

@Chris Soto I thought you lived in Bronx NYC? Which is it? I'm a native of New Haven, and Hartford and Jewitt city are just as bad. Bridgeport is by far the worst $h1th@1e. Enough with the cap. You sound like a silly billy 😅

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

Wonder how that pub stays in business

[@marishea0silver]

I am from Hartford grew up in the Northend you have really quiet areas that are off the main road where most crimes happen. I love my state and Hartford is not as bad as other big cities.

[@JOCUTZ83]

Did your KZbin algorithm bring you to this video and you thought you were still on the Jelly roll video? did your youtube algorithm bring you and you thought you were still on a Jelly roll bootleg kev video? this comment is on a Hartford, CT tour. i came from that video too.... wierd

[@Knokai]

I am originally from Hartford as well. I grew up in the Stowe Village Housing project. It's been demolished and replaced with homes now. The author of this video missed out on those ghettos.

[@normaflores838]

I used to work there capital house. Loved the park lived near by on Jefferson st. Haven't been back since 87

[@purpleperson]

Me and my family went to Springfield, MA for Six Flags and Basketball HOF. We stopped here for a Yard Goats game that night, absolutely beautiful, Dunkin Donuts Park is state of the art for its usage and XFINITY theatre is nice too, its very clean and not much traffic. Guess we didn’t see this side of the city lol

[@TOCC50]

Go to Whalers games at the Civic Center was the greatest times ever growing up

[@handsomeX]

I'm originally from Springfield. I've been living in Boston for the past 30yrs

[@junemita1861]

You probably don't read any comments any longer but I will add anyway. Despite what the houses look like on the outside, the inside is where the poverty is really obvious. Exposed wiring, holes in walls, floods in basements, smells like something you don't want to ever smell again. As to your visit to Connecticut, I wish you had spent more time, maybe following some more of its history. Many of your videos you visited several towns. I think you should have spent more time here. I do enjoy your videos and generally like what you depict. Not so happy with what you did with Hartford. I live about 25 miles from Hartford and remember it well from when I went to college there in the mid 70's. There are some very nice spots in Hartford and their ethnic neighborhoods is one of its best strengths.

[@ctgman]

You’re right. I enjoy his videos, but he shortchanged CT. Didn’t do a good job representing it.

[@craftsmanctfl3493]

It wasn’t mentioned, but the population of the city is right at 120,000, while the metro area is around 1,200,000. The city of Hartford is historic, but it doesn’t represent what the entirety of the Hartford area is. The poverty rate in the city proper is unfortunately high, but is not representative of the metro as a whole. As Lord Spoda said, the metropolitan area is the 8th wealthiest in the nation. As for the downtown being empty, I’m virtually certain this video must have been taken on a Saturday or Sunday. It’s much busier during the week, as tens of thousands of people work downtown.

[@kevinsullivan136]

He shot this video on a Tuesday 4/12/22

[@user-kx1qs1he1m]

❤I admit this is One of MY personal FAVORITES, although there quite a few around that will Capture You 👍🏿❤️✌🏿🌻🇺🇦🌻‼️

[@joycelebaron2582]

Just like South Providence, those homes in North Hartford used to be homes of rich people, but they have been sub-divided into tenements.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

A lot of those houses were pretty nice!

[@Sneakermanpan]

I don’t know how Hartford is now because I haven’t been in a few years but last time I was there my brother randomly got shot by someone that we later found out chose to shoot at us for a gang initiation. So I have a bad relationship with Hartford

[@TOCC50]

DMTBKA

[@gyroxaver6897]

Bro those aren’t houses those are multi family apartments

[@_5_675]

So are the big office blocks empty, or is everyone working from home, or people have to eat their lunch at their desks...? I don't understand how a city centre can be so quiet in the middle of a working day.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

As I understand it, Covid killed a lot of the smaller businesses. Meanwhile, the many insurance companies based downtown shifted their employees to work from home, so now the downtown sits nearly empty.

[@stephenmenyfield2110]

There are a lot of small cities just like Hartford around the country and they are just as quiet. Of course there are cities that are the same siE as hartford but have a lot more to offer in the form of entertainment, nightlife, shopping and restaurants.

[@KH-dv2zg]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Insurance companies attempted to bring office workers back to the office, but this Winter COVID ramped back up…so a lot of places still have wfh. Hartford County has a high COVID status currently per the CDC…😢

[@terrys4351]

Under the Soldiers Arch near the beginning of the video is the PArk River which due to flooding and pollution was tunnelled underground and exits it out into the Connecticut River. I actually took a guided tour in a canoe 25 years ago. Wouldn't go unless you have good lighting and beware the flow off pit which is a hundred foot plus drop.

[@richardcormier4561]

The castle is actually the soldiers arch memorial at Bushnell Park, Hartford Connecticut also has the Oldest military organization in the United States with over 251 years of continuous service I have been a member for 17 years as a Sargent, next time you come to Hartford I can show you around and don't forget about Mark Twain`s house

[@joycelebaron2582]

My father had family in Rockville and Tolland, which used to be the country but now I guess is considered Hartford suburbs. I always liked the area, with the hills and all. Too bad Hartford has fallen into hard times. Eastern CT, out in the woods between Hartford and Providence, is mostly a poor area - Willamantic, Dayville, Putnam, etc. They built the casinos (Foxwoods, Mohican Sun) down around New London. Back 20 or 30 years ago they wanted to build an interstate to get from Providence to Hartford but the people who lived out in the woods voted it down, they wanted to keep their rural, woodsy feel, so there's really no easy way to get there from Providence.

[@no-bitches]

Mohegan*

[@ClockworksOfGL]

Rhode Island cancelled I-84 to Providence because it would have run too close to the Scituate Reservoir.

[@joycelebaron2582]

@@ClockworksOfGL It was both local opposition and environmental impact. My memory of that time is that it was mostly local opposition but after your post, I did some digging and yes, it was mainly the Reservoir, the state's main source of drinking water. PS: It was about 40 years ago. Just goes to show, memories fade. Thanks for the correction.

[@ClockworksOfGL]

@@joycelebaron2582 - I wasn’t trying to correct you, btw. It’s just a factoid I happened to be aware of, even though the events took place before my time. Windham County is the poorest county in the state, it’s not like state leaders ever cared what the locals thought. They think folks there are a bunch of hillbilly Swamp Yankees. I vaguely recall a quote from a leader of the I-395 project practically bragging about how easy it was politically to ram that highway thru the area.

[@joycelebaron2582]

@@ClockworksOfGL Oh no, not at all. If I say something that's not factual and just pop off from my memory then I'm glad you corrected me. It's interesting about your phrase "hillbilly Swamp Yankees" but I live in SW Virginia in the mountains now and of course the term 'hillbilly' is applied to those of us in the area. And my father was what we used to call a "Swamp Yankee" (or a jick or jicky as my mother used to say) and when I moved here I equated the two terms as a northern and southern moniker for basically the same thing: proud and self-sufficient, down-to-earth, honest-to-a-fault people from the mountains and/or the forests. It's amazing what people from different parts of the country have in common.

[@DeshawnJones786]

Downtown has a lot of big building when my mom drove through it to get to Holyoke a lot of real skyscrapers

[@sherw7635]

Those three story houses have three families in them... Some are chopped up into five or 6 apartments. You never went to the South end or the Wethersfield Ave Area... After dark there it's a whole new world. I lived and worked in that area for 40 yrs. There used to be a push to revitalize downtown. It was always busy in the daytime during the week.. Deserted on weekends.

[@navyseal1689]

Very depressing indeed. Looks like the downtown requires a lot of maintenance work

[@tasossaros8375]

Happy Easter to you and your family 🐰

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Tasos! You as well!!

[@tasossaros8375]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip thank you 🙏

[@jcruzhphs]

Hartford my home town. I go all cross connecticut just to find art work like that

[@howconnecticutdo2209]

Those big houses are all 2 family to 4 family houses and u only went in the small part of the northend near Downtown and for someone to say it's not bad I want u to walk around the northend next time u make a video.

[@kremepie6705]

My Nana was the last of her immediate family to remain in their triplex on Eastford Street in the 60s and it was Bad. Pretty good 100 years ago -Lenord Bernstein learned to play piano 🎹 there. I wish you had gone down Prospect Avenue where the old mansions were and to nearby Elizabeth Park which is stunning.

[@Jayrbx78]

I've done it I'm from the Bronx and found Hartford safe

[@Jayrbx78]

And nothing will happen if he do

[@howconnecticutdo2209]

@@Jayrbx78i done been thru every part of Nyc and no where in NYC is more dangerous than Hartford for every 100,000 Hartford has a murder rate of 18 and Hartford is only a city with about 123, 000 people the bronx is like 18 times the size of Hartford and if Hartford was the same size of the bronx it would be Philadelphia so stop CAPPING NYC people get killes or beat up thinking it sweet around here.

[@howconnecticutdo2209]

Hartford is not like NYC our city is basically half black half latino its not diverse our white population is very low thats why white people say its its nothing to do in Hartford when its plenty to do its plenty of hip hop and latin clubs and west Indian clubs but its not alot of irish pubs maybe a few thats why whites rather go to West Hartford so yea Come take a walk thru the Northend its plenty of white people walking around u should feel Comfortable 🤔😂😂

[@bewmeow67]

I live somewhat close to Hartford, and it is bad in some places, like really bad! However, I do think it has been improving slowly.

[@gerryayotte9292]

Been working in Hartford for about 45 years now, lots of changes, most recently, because of Covid, Those of us in the Insurance and Financial Services sector, work remotely and only go into the office 2 or 3 days per week now. With a lack of pedestrian traffic during the week, businesses have shut down and left. You cannot even get a Dunkin Donuts coffee downtown anymore, even though the Dunkin Ball Park is right down the street. But back in the 70's-80's-90's, it was a different story, a hopping city with Bars & nightlife, Many of us from the suburbs would go to all the bars and hang out. Mad Murphy's, the Civic Pub, Le Jardin, Great Train Robbery, BT's, Lorien's, Hot Tomatoes all come to mind. Hartford also lost a lot when G Fox and Sage Allen closed shop. Other businesses took their place but they never developed the following the great places had. The crime later scared people away too, so everyone started going to the local bars back home. But there is still some life left if you look around for it, but certainly not mid day. I love what they are doing with the pedestrian street, Pratt St but they really need more businesses to move in. This is a four-hundred-year-old city who's hey day was back in the 1800's -1900's, It was a Banking, Insurance, and retail mecca back then. and there is still some remarkable vintage architecture still standing from those days.

[@417DrumBob]

Don't generalize about Northern NJ being bad. Yes, there's Newark and Paterson ghettos, but most of Northern NJ is middle to upper middle class and very affluent people, and very nice towns. Towns like Upper Saddle River, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Glen Ridge and Mountain Lakes, are very affluent. Visit places like that sometime, and maybe your opinion will change.

[@caseylimbert266]

Those "big 2 and 3 storey houses" are converted and are way more often than not 3+ family houses... trust me, CT has some rough areas. Next time e you're there, go to New Haven and Bridgeport

[@dalegleneagles5072]

East end of Bridgeport is rough. And downtown was the only place I've ever been where a panhandler hit me up before I even got out of my car.

[@Amy_Toodles1]

This was Good Friday, Easter weekend.. most companies had the day off & schools closed etc.. Trust me.. there is nothing quiet & slow in Hartford during the week. Only the locals on the weekends/holidays… it’s all “timing” in NewEngland, like Boston when there’s a home game etc..

[@Amy_Toodles1]

Also, it is home to CT Children’s, Hartford Hospital & UCONN Farmington is only 10 miles away 😊

[@kevinsullivan136]

He shot this video on a TUESDAY 4/12/22

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

Taxes WAY too high Jobs dont pay what they used to either

[@jradcliffe4968]

Most of the buildings are at least half empty .

[@gabriellucero9377]

You should do another video of Phoenix Arizona, I would love to see the video

[@ShirleySerious]

When your city is based on a dull industry like insurance, I'm not surprised the mood of the city reflected that. I could only see myself visiting this city if I was doing a trip like yours. Flying there? Not a chance. Not when Boston and NYC are nearby.

[@stephenmenyfield2110]

So you know insurance is not a dull industry? Your mind is dull if you think that . Insurance is money you undereducated person🤑

[@scottbrenham1341]

I live in Massachusetts Boston is big and alot going for it. So much construction everywhere. Nice to walk around alot college students walking around. Almost safe feeling but they are always replacing some with bigger or large ones etc.

[@sostdm617]

@@scottbrenham1341 safe in those areas Roxbury and Dorchester not so much

[@benjaminfishbeyn1996]

Lmao, I don’t think Hartford and Vacation have been uttered in the same sentence before.

[@georgevaughn2083]

We need to meet up and go.around Hartford, its Nice, I see this was A Year ago, Hope you Have Been back

[@seand67]

THis is so depressing. I hoped the city would rebound when I left back in the 80's.

[@Nimrod1966]

Same.

[@KH-dv2zg]

The city is in shambles, idk how they are still managing

[@keyup2626]

I remember going to Hartford in 1975 with my parents, we spent two weeks traveling around the out lying areas. We went to places like NewGate Prison and different historical homes. I do remember Hartford fondly. I can remember being in the swimming pool after dark at our hotel, other guests were warning my parents that it wasn’t safe to be out after dark. And of the high crime lol us crazy Canucks not knowing any better lol.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Damn, keyup, you’ve been everywhere!

[@keyup2626]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I’ve been very fortunate enough to have traveled a lot in my lifetime. I’d say after family it’s my passion. I’m looking so forward to getting back to Europe next year, as long as covid numbers go down. Your guys are having a trip of a lifetime seeing your awesome country.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@keyup2626 Well dammit, where have you not been? Then I can say at the beginning of the video "Keyup ain't been here yet!!" LOL. 😀

[@keyup2626]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip lmao 😜.

[@rosemariemello6675]

Noticed pot holes everywhere.

[@chrishamilton1189]

I wrestled a lesbian for a ham in Hartford 18 years ago to this day

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Now that is an unforgettable story. :)

[@anrun]

Why didn't you visit the state capital building?

[@BigGator5]

What's going on these cities that are falling into despair? Do people not care anymore? I mean, I asked this rhetorically, but are politicians really this spineless that they can't show any leadership or look past their own nose?

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Their busy getting their pockets lined to ignore the problems.

[@BigGator5]

Lord Spoda ...I don't know. There's so many competing special interests, it might be a Gordian Knot that no one can undo.

[@cityassembled647]

You can’t put this all on the government. At some point a population has to take responsibility for itself. There is too much greed. Too much sloth. Too many that just don’t care. The government can’t change your personality.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Like every DEMONcrat controlled city.

[@maureentrant5588]

Too many livin off the DOLE.. as they say in Ireland.

[@crystinamarie1]

Hartford was scary just driving through! Parts of the city, I could not wait to get out of there. I saw some people who looked like they were on drugs. People boozing in the street and smoking their weed openly. Yikes!

[@Jayrbx78]

Hartford is not scary at all

[@crystinamarie1]

@@Jayrbx78 you must be a native. I definitely wasn't used to seeing those things here. LA, yes 😆

[@howconnecticutdo2209]

@@Jayrbx78 thats because u never been here stop Capping only a fool would say Hartford is safe

[@cryptosavy9716]

Born and raised. The temperature can turn up any given day. Lot of shootings.

[@Jayrbx78]

@@howconnecticutdo2209 how u gonna tell me where I have been I have family there and I’m from the Bronx so it isn’t bad

[@SmokeWithMeInCT]

This had to be a weekend you went

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

I left CT. in 2002. Back in the 1980`s Hartford held 3 lovely distinctions. 1, Highest illegitimate births. 2, Highest high school dropout rate. 3, Highest amount of people on welfare. Per Capita for the entire country! Now that I think about it, I think there were 2 more. Last time I went to that hell hole city was in 1988 to see Eddie Murphy for his Raw tour at the Hartford Civic center. ha The whole time during the show I was thinking, please let my mint olds cutlass muscle car still be there when we come out. ha

[@bradleysample3246]

Willimantic was heroin city too at one time.I went to Eastern in the 80's

[@vwalsh63]

The roof of the civic center was better then😏 little dangerous in the late 70s. The folks who directed him to the hood were uninformed, and I left 30 years ago.

[@pete70091]

Retrace your steps with your phone on a stick at 2 am and let us know how it works out. Also, if you want some real excitement go further south on 95 and try New Haven, Bridgeport or Stamford.

[@rckrckrckrck]

You should visit its much more interesting and vibrant sister city New Haven next time.

[@bscottb8]

With falling tax revenue and rising welfare expenditure, it is bye-bye city.

[@victorlopez2143]

You should have been around in the late 60's - 70's. There were plenty of housing projects around then. I used to live in COT D - section. Never had any problems. Most of these if not all were torn down and they built single family homes, You would never know that this area were once a project stood. On the other side, C- section, they torn down everything is now a shopping plaza..

[@ce7133]

Do you remember the Italians in the South End of Hartford?

[@user-wp3cy3fl2j]

Its raining. People tend to stay indoors when it rains.

[@patrickfarrell1878]

Ur not going to the spots where people are outside and that’s best for ur own safety Hartford is one of the worst cities in the us

[@MikeJones-pd8vn]

This guy's a clown who'd become a statistic if he explored the city thoroughly.

[@Jayrbx78]

@@MikeJones-pd8vn Hartford isn't that bad bro I live here

[@Jayrbx78]

Ya corny af stop making Hartford seem dangerous when it's not I'll walk any street in Hartford and be good

[@howconnecticutdo2209]

@@Jayrbx78 if u notice ur the only fool trying to say Hartford is safe thats how u know u never been here 😁 u all CAP

[@edwardmiessner6502]

My partner and I visited Hartford in the autumn of 1999 and even then I thought it was a fifth rate town.

[@stephenmenyfield2110]

Many cities like hartford now awadays but remember hartford was one of the first city's back when so called America was being built and was a great city for some time

[@bjmcmahon722]

You're being generous...

[@Petej67]

Last time i had Guinnes was 1992 in London.

[@ctgman]

There’s a lot way cooler places in CT to go to. Hartford’s probably one of the least interesting places in the state. Most outsiders have a very myopic idea of what CT is. I live in Southwestern CT, and Hartford never really enters my stream of consciousness.

[@moniho6907]

Kinda resemble a city i used to live in germany called darmstadt

[@kaychay79]

Fyi when you drive past a sign with a name and flowers on the ground indicates the neighborhood isn't that safe.

[@Jayrbx78]

Stop it! You sound ignorant It isn't that bad here

[@kaychay79]

@@Jayrbx78 sorry, but wasn't there a couple broad day murders not too long ago in the south end? A girl get shot at a house party months ago? How many murders on mather this year alone? Don't get me wrong, it's not wild west but def not cupcake city...

[@bbii5231]

Not true. You see those memorials on the highway, in rural areas, everywhere, especially where people have died in car accidents.

[@kaychay79]

8 murders in the last 4 weeks.. but i understand

[@bbii5231]

@@kaychay79 Tragic, but has nothing to do with seeing a memorial on the side of the road. There's a memorial on 91S around Windsor. It's been there for years, where a cop died. So should we assume that that part of 91S is more dangerous than any other part of the highway? Not saying that Hartford is "safe," but what does that have to do with people putting down a memorial? Some people have them in their front yards, even though that's not where they lost their loved one. I get your humor, though.

[@localman12]

Did you make this tour on April 17th? if so, that was a Sunday and maybe the reason downtown was so empty of people.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

No, I was there on Friday, April 15.

[@Amy_Toodles1]

It was Good Friday - many businesses/schools closed

[@SmokeWithMeInCT]

If ur there on a Sunday it’s always dead dead and it’s depressing living there

[@donaldmorrison5289]

Has the Bronco been a reliable car? Are you happy with it?

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It has been. Hasn’t had a single problem.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Another once great and prospering city and state run into the ground by the same party that destroys everything they control.

[@TOCC50]

The Whig party 😅

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

@@TOCC50 Demoncrat party.

[@michellec.9852]

Where did the hotel reviews go?

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

Youre in the city center and not a soul around Nice

[@donjaan6329]

i went to Russian Ladys Pub at downtown 30yrs ago

[@kevinsullivan136]

Thanks I came here after CT Gov. Ned Lamont's comment after Final Four about Houston being "butt ugly" What an idiotic thing to say but not surprising coming from him. I was @ Dunkin Donuts Pk a few days B4 U shot this & can confirm the desolation walking around downtown Hartford I Enjoy your videos Have U ever thought of going to Jersey City or Newark, NJ or even NYC on an early weekend morning?

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Yes, hopefully this summer.

[@jamesfreeman6877]

My guy funny asf. Go there at night, you’ll be ready to go back to your hotel, and you really didn’t hit any spots

[@MsGeminorum]

People rent those houses and they are multi family houses.

[@chrisb9577]

All those 3 story "houses" were tenements with 3-6 families sharing them. They are not single family dwellings. Each family probably has less than 1,000 sq ft.

[@dough7612]

All the insurance exec's and managers live out in Simsbury area. Ah the Russian, I mean Irish, i mean Ukrainian lady...

[@cttuffkd]

Ultimately you’re right there is no real slums in Hartford. But those aren’t single family houses

[@CC-mg3ho]

Those three family houses are all probably rented as apartments where is this guy come from

[@ndingere7857]

Which day was that in Hartford? Surely Weekend. You will not recognize it on a weekday. There will be cars everywhere and people walking and crossing everywhere. We have been working for quite a while now on revitalizing the downtown during After-work hours. Most people live in the suburbs and come to work in Downtown. That's why it looks so empty on weekends. And about the crime, it is way way exaggerated. When I was moving to Hartford, I googled and got really scared. Then I moved there and lived very close to Downtown Hartford. The crime is not that bad. My Honda Accord was stolen though.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I shot this on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

[@christianortiz1037]

Get out of the car. Walk down Albany and take a left on magnolia. U might be a Lil surprised.

[@Jayrbx78]

You gonna see nothing but crackheads

[@zerozero6265]

Bro is the type to get mugged lol u drove around Hartford in the middle of the day at like 12-1pm on a cold rainy day 😂 all those houses are multiple family section 8 houses.. u didn't even drive by any active blocks on tge north or any projects.. im from Bridgeport to ive been Hartford plenty of times for work n social occasions.. if u drive down albany ave on a hot day or a busy night youll c nuthin but crsckheads n guys that look like they jus got outta jail lol

[@WhittyPics]

What a wet nasty day

[@becalmlivelifetothefullest6752]

Hope you stopped for some pizza 🍕

[@hannahzimbouski9515]

The three story “homes” are mostly apartments so 3+ families live in them

[@MsGeminorum]

You didn't see Flatbush Ave with the bars on the windows of all the apartments..

[@SlumberBear2k]

Mark Twain said Hartford was the most beautiful city in the world. it has really fallen apart. Capitol building is incredibly beautiful and alludes to an interesting past. Otherwise the city has seen better days. I think it used to be a well planned city and they ruined it with the architectural monstrosities they have put up. I keep away from Hartford.

[@VICSWEB1]

c'mon man, slab city is calling you it should be number 1 on your list.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Yes, I looked it up. I will absolutely be visiting there. Looks fascinating!

[@TheMahonj]

Does this guy not know the difference between an obvious apartment building and a single family home?

[@BigBigDong]

This video has more views than Boston lol. Is it because of the sensationalizing title?

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

Never liked Hartford much Dtove right through on 91 going to Vermont NH over the decades Only stopped once Comprende?

[@briantomcollins]

CT has some beautiful parks and small rural towns. A ton of history, and some great little spots, even in Hartford. It really is too bad what a dump it's becoming. Edit: If yer looking for real '' ghettos'' come on down to Waterbury. About two blocks behind the mall is a good start...

[@sherw7635]

Heck yeah.. You're right about Waterbury... Try Bridgeport on for size too, and parts of New Haven.

[@briantomcollins]

@@sherw7635 pistol wavin' New Haven...

[@Jayrbx78]

People are sensitive in ct u can’t say nothing about the state they get all butthurt

[@kevinsullivan136]

I agree with you. I am from J.C., NJ & moved 2 New Haven, Ct. All I experienced at first was negative comments about NJ BUT when I praised certain things regarding NJ or made a comparison to Ct they became butt hurt sensitive. Very quickly I just said FUHGEDDABOUDIT 😤😁 Yet a large number of people from Ct like to go to vacation @ NJ shore and/or work in Norrh Jersey, etc.

[@bentleyv1233]

I dont think you understand 3 families live in those houses, and youre not even in the hood. Clueless 🤦‍♂️

[@chrisxshock]

When people not from CT go anywhere in CT… “well, this sucks.”

[@Jayrbx78]

It really does suck nothing going for itself

[@howconnecticutdo2209]

@@Jayrbx78 u must got ur ass whipped out here lolol u Big Haten 🤣🤣

[@Cellyescalera]

what day of the week do you record this video? Sunday!😂😂😂😂😂

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

No, I didn’t. I recorded it on an early Friday afternoon.

[@Cellyescalera]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip😬 That's a walking dead town🫣😬😂

[@Kittylicable]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip everyone was at work lol

[@Kittylicable]

@@Cellyescalera I lived not too far from the downtown area it used to be a busy area

[@user-tz1jk1dx8s]

We are a civilised quite people. I’d like to sit with our granny than hanging out downtown.

[@glitchplease5638]

Yeah, the high crime rates support your statements🙄. Your inability to spell or contruct a simple sentence definitely supports the reports of poor education, opportunities, & high drop out rates😒

[@petertorza1949]

Only kidding