bike new haven was a massive failure. Putting aside the political meddling in station locations (where bike new haven predicted no use), the entire thing was paid by advertising adjacent to the bike stations. The ads were terrible. After a short period of use, the bikes were pulled for relaunch to a new system to allow for rental without a smart phone or credit card. The new system never debuted.

I live and work in New Haven. My office is downtown. I'm here all the time. During the entire tenure of bike new haven, I used them twice. I only saw someone else use the bikes 2 or 3 times over the time period. Many were taken and left elsewhere in New Haven for later pick up.

A few things contributed to the failure. Yale has their own bike share. Many bike focused folks already have and use their own bikes. The balance of the city's residents did not appear to be disposed to use the bikes, even if free. Until it is too costly to drive, folks won't bike. Many will suffer on the bus before biking.

I think you missed the point in my reply. I regret returning to CT from VA. VA, on the whole, is cheaper than CT. I didn't read the OP as have only three choices, DC NY or CT. He just thought he would like in DC or NY. Furthermore, OP references law school and he or she may go elsewhere in the USA.

Do not return to Connecticut. Cost of living is high and only going up. I went to school in VA and regret returning to CT.

Careful. Between I think Division and Hillsdale, there are some ok apartments called the winchester lofts. YMMV. Some friends enjoyed them, others not so much. Other than that long block - hard pass. Ideally you don't want to be west of prospect, off prospect. Other than the lofts, you are at risk.

Opposite AMC on Winchester, you are in the wild west. Hard pass.

Hartford has many no-go neighborhoods. You can find safe housing downtown, no cheap. You will still have to deal with property crime issues there.

As other commenters have posted, west end hartford or into West Hartford proper is probably better. West end Hartford will still have random property crimes, it is a city after all. West Hartford is a better choice.

Many good suggestions in this thread but take a look at Hachiroku

​

https://www.ctbites.com/blog/2022/11/1/hachiroku-shokudo-amp-sake-bar-opens-in-new-haven

Hard pass. It is a formerly failed co-op that was rehabbed by the lowest bidder. I lived on Dwight street for a few years for grad school and property crimes were rampant, stolen cars, etc. and the like. If you are working at the hospital, there are nice places closer to the hospital. You are in the middle of a high crime area.

Lots see

​

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctinsider.com%2Fconnecticutmagazine%2Fnews-people%2Farticle%2FThe-History-of-the-Mafia-in-Connecticut-17040323.php

LOL. The place is a dump.

Car service, uber or drive your car service to EWR.

While I've used public transit in the past, it only takes one small failure in that chain of this train to the next to the next to create a problem with meeting your flight.

I drive or arrange transport via car service or "drive your car" service to the airport. In my town, there are a few retired folks who will drive you down to the airport in your car and pick you up on the way back. My guy is a retired firefighter (retired like 30 years) and does a great job.

Possible but unlikely to find a 1 bedroom at 1100/month. If you do find one, check for red flags. Going rate for 1 bedroom is 1500 or so.

It is reasonable to bike in NHV to/from downtown. Usual reminders apply - the majority of drivers are not bike friendly or aware. You will be on the defense. NHV has done a great job with bike lines, including counterflow bike lanes.

BIking to the WH VA is certainly doable but far less bike friendly from downtown NHV. Not many arteries between WH and NHV that aren't choked with cars. Most have very little shoulder and zero bike lanes en route.

Watch Craigslist too.