We moved to the U.S. in 2000. Since then, we have lived in five different states: Ohio, Michigan, California, New York, and finally Connecticut. We had good experiences and close friends in all of these places, but the greater New Haven area has been my family’s favorite place in America thus far. Let’s put aside its perfect location between Boston and New York City, astonishing autumns, and refreshing farms and orchards. The most appealing aspect of Connecticut for me is its group of antique stores. As one of the oldest states in the U.S., these stores have historical surprises in every corner! They hold not only unique old artifacts, but also quite aged books. Our favorite old book store, and one of the biggest we have visited so far, is the Book Barn located on the seaside town of Niantic, a one-hour drive away from New Haven. With its four locations, it receives around 10,000 “new” old books every week, the ages of which might surprise you. This is just one of my favorite local stops in the New Haven area; but with its history-filled streets and culture-laden neighborhoods, you too will soon realize that New Haven has spirit.”
- Ozgen Felek, Lector of Ottoman Turkish, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations