If you only have to go to East Hartford once in a while, you could also look in the New Haven and Bridgeport areas.

It wouldn't be a bad commute to East Hartford, and you'd be closer to NYC and many more hospitals (Yale-New Haven is the largest hospital).

The climate is more mild on the Sound, and it's more similar to NYC in terms of culture and diversity. If it matters to you, New Haven itself is a boomtown, whereas Hartford is still really sleepy and economically distressed.

If you're staying in the Hartford area I would recommend sticking to towns that are right along I-91 or I-84, since otherwise you'll be in the car a lot.