Inside Connecticut's Appeal Amid Other States' Incentives

Does CT Pay People to Move There? Nah Yo.

So, apparently some states are so desperate to get people to move there, they’re literally handing out cash. Not because they’re awesome... but because they stink at being places people want to be.

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We’re talking places like West Virginia and Kansas. These spots are offering thousands of dollars just to convince people to pack up their laptops and live there. Here’s a quick look at the “please-love-us” list:

West Virginia: $12K if you move to places, you’ve probably never heard of, like Greater Elkins.
Tulsa, Oklahoma: $10K
Topeka, Kansas: $10K for rent or $15K if you’re brave enough to buy a house there.
Baltimore, Maryland: Up to $5K
Ketchikan, Alaska: $2K and free internet - OOOH!!!!!
Newton, Iowa: $10K, but only if you spend over $240K on a home. Because that totally adds up.

Meanwhile, Connecticut is just out here chillin’. We’re not offering $10K to move here. We don’t have to. People want in. Beautiful coastline? Check. Real pizza? Check. Proximity to NYC without being NYC? Double check.

We’re pretty lucky in Connecticut. We’re largely insulated from natural disasters, generally very safe, and we’ve got some of the best food in the country. Add to that beautiful landscapes, strong schools, excellent healthcare (at least compared to most), a highly educated population, historic architecture, and a ton of charm and tranquility.

So yeah, Connecticut is super expensive — no denying that. But what are the alternatives? If your answer is Florida, I don’t know what to tell you. There may be no saving you.

P.S. I always wonder what the official announcement looks like in those places that pay people to move there. Do they just send out a sad little press release? Or is it a full-blown press conference of shame?

“Good afternoon, everyone, thanks for coming. As you may already know, our city is a raging nightmare, and we are now begging people to relocate here. Thoughts and prayers.”

Danbury Tree Removal: What Happened and What’s Coming Next

I think about trees more than I realized. When the ones lining Main Street in Danbury were suddenly gone, it hit me harder than I expected. The change is part of a city-wide streetscape project, and I understand the reasons—but that doesn’t make the loss feel any lighter.

*These are not note-for-note before and after images. I had to mix the new photos with what I had in my archives, but I got pretty close on a few*

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano