July 13, 2010

Bristol rates #84 in Money's list of best small cities in which to live

Like most everyone, I felt a little startled to see that Bristol had whipped a lot of towns across the country that seem to be hopping a lot more than the Mum City.
But the reaction to Money magazine's choice of Bristol as the 84th best place to live among cities with 50,000 to 300,000 people is kind of crazy.
The Hartford Courant's choice to banner the story across the top of its front page -- with barely a nod to West Hartford's even higher rating -- was clearly a reflection of its shock at the notion that Bristol has anything much for going for it.
And many of the comments I've read from Bristol residents on Facebook and elsewhere have been equally scornful of the city.
I don't get that.
Bristol has nice neighborhoods, decent schools, a good hospital, plenty of recreation, terrific parks, an improving library and much else to commend it beyond ESPN and Lake Compounce. Sure it could be better -- and the newspaper has tried to nudge it to make improvements for generations -- but it's a far cry from struggling neighbors such as New Britain, Waterbury and Meriden.
Yeah, it's not West Hartford. But Bristol offers something different from West Hartford that makes it an attractive spot for many, many families.
Personally, I hope that residents will view this listing not as a mistake -- though it's probably a little too kind -- but as a challenge to their own thoughts about their hometown. Bristol has a lot going for it.
It would have even more if more of its residents could grock the notion that it has an even better future ahead. Let's build toward that future on the solid foundation that's here in Bristol now.
Money magazine's #84 may be too generous. But with a positive attitude and some hard work, Bristol can earn it -- and then some.
The ranking opened some eyes. Now give the world something to see.
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a joke!!!!

Anonymous said...

damn straight.

Anonymous said...

Steve why do you hate the Courant so much?????

Anonymous said...

To everyone that hates Bristol - MOVE! Once you leave Bristol will be even BETTER!

Anonymous said...

There is an old saying that I am fond of "the grass is brown every where". Does Bristol have it's problems? Of course is does. Does Bristol have some great things about it. Of course it does. We should take pride in making the list. It says a lot about our city when compared to others. For those that choose to only dwell on the negative that is too bad. The good news is that you can always leave or even better get involved to make it better.

Congratulations Bristol!!!

Anonymous said...

I think Bristol is a great place to live and work. Too bad so many people have such a negative view on their town, it would be nice if people tried to make Bristol better.

The key to why Bristol is in this poll is it was based on small cities of between 50k to 300k across the country and I think we are better than New Britain, Bridgeport, and Meriden.

Anonymous said...

Apparently ESPN has a lot more pull than I thought .

Anonymous said...

Bristol is such the butt of jokes today across the state

Anonymous said...

Why the fools on this blog continue to bash their own hometown is beyond me. Reminds me of the old saying that even dogs know enough not to poop where they sleep. Dogs must be smarter!

Anonymous said...

To those who have been involved in getting Bristol to rank #84 kEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND THANK YOU!!

Disregard the negative remarks and keep on moving forward.

Future said...

Steve even if it's just for one day so be it .Bristol is home to sixty thousand + or - hard working people ,next year let's shoot for the top fifty.

amarko55 said...

I've been guilty of Bristol-bashing on other blogs, (mostly in jest) on this issue. I suggested that this rating is a result of good p.r. work by Renaissance Development, the developers chosen for Depot Square. However, in all seriousness, I think is it a reflection of our school system, park system, Lake Compounce, ESPN, Rt. 72 renovation, Muzzy Field, etc. (Wow, I guess Bristol really is great.)

However, I think it is also somewhat related to the potential of the downtown development rather than just current conditions alone.

Anonymous said...

11:51 AM

Were you at work, not earning you pay by blogging during working hours?

No wonder the hartford courant thinks Bristol is a joke. Because of people in Bristol like you. You should know that you are the minority. People with small minds. Don't you get it?

Anonymous said...

2:40 PM Bristol is such the butt of jokes today across the state

Correction:

You, not Bristol, is such the butt of jokes today across the state. Don't think it, know it!!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Bristol is such the butt of jokes today across the state

July 13, 2010 2:40 PM

BUT WE ARE ON THE LIST MOST CITIES ARE NOT

Anonymous said...

Could only wonder how much better it would have been without Rosenthal

incumbent OUT !!!! said...

I knew barack insane obama screwed up the nation , but , I never thought he screwed things up soooo bad that Bristol made it into the top 100 .

Unknown said...

the quality of a city's pizza must have factored highly into this rating

everyone knows b-town has the best 'za in the world

Anonymous said...

Nice neighborhoods? Has anyone noticed we are closing some of our nice neighborhood schools down!? How does that make for "nice neighborhoods"? Anyone seen the West End, Union St, Davis Dr.? Parks?! A woman can’t take a jog around a park in Bristol alone; she’d get mugged! Your kids can’t be in one of our parks alone! Can we even take a walk in the evening through “Downtown”? lol. Oh but we have culture! Just drive down Rt 6 and see our “culture”…dollar stores, pizza restaurants and Walmart.

Anonymous said...

11:45, Rockwell Park is absolutely gorgeous. The playscape at Page is clean and safe. A jog down the beautiful, shady boulevard is a nice way to exercise and a hot dog and soda at Blondies is a great way to end a Saturday night after the car show.

Sorry that you see everything through those horrible mud-colored glasses. Bristol's been chosen one of the best small cities to live for a reason. Maybe you should try to see things through different glasses?

Anonymous said...

I can only smile when I think that former Mayor Stortz has always said that Bristol is a great people city and that there is a lot to do in town.

Looks like he knew what he was talking about

Anonymous said...

12:17 PM, I'm smiling too...since every mayor in probably every town across the USA has said the exact same thing about their town!

Anonymous said...

12:26

Excepy maybe our current mayor.

He certainly is not leading the cheers.