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jk3
10-04-2004, 11:41 AM
Awhile back I posted questions about the Columbus area suburbs + the response were detailed + helpful. Now I need some help with information about the Hartford area suburbs! We are considering relocating to Columbus, Hartford, Boston or just staying put. I know about Boston since I went to college there but need some information about the Hartford area suburbs. My DH would be working in Hartford + I would one day return to teaching so we are looking for a suburb that is convenient to Hartford w/a great school system. Our preliminary research has led us to consider Avon, Glastonbury, West Hartford and Longmeadow, MA. Are we on the right track? Any details about these towns or other neighboring communties would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!


Update: It was an informative trip. We are excited about this possible move. Again, if anyone has additional information I would appreciate any help. TIA!!!

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

jk3
10-04-2004, 07:49 PM
We're going for a visit tomorrow. If anyone sees this thread + can add some information, I would appreciate your help. Thanks!

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

deenass
10-05-2004, 04:14 PM
I live in West Hartford ... you can email me at
deenas-s @ comcast . net (no spaces) and we can talk. This is a GREAT town for families!

jk3
10-05-2004, 04:21 PM
Thank you! I will email you when we return from our day trip tomorrow. My DH has a meeting in the morning + we plan on driving around the suburbs in the afternoon. =)

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

deborah_r
10-05-2004, 04:59 PM
Hi Jenn,

I grew up in CT, mainly in the area of Bristol, which is I guess about 20 minutes outside of Hartford. The areas you mentioned in CT all sound pretty good, I think Farmington is also quite nice and is in that area.

Misha412
10-05-2004, 05:17 PM
Hi Jenn:

My husband, son and I live in Simsbury, Connecticut, which is a really beautiful community. EVERYONE has kids and there is a lot of "small town" spirit! Simsbury is consistently rated one of the top five school systems in CT and has a very high college placement ratio. Lots of child-friendly activities, great library system, parks, etc. Of note, the commute into Hartford is about 20-25 minutes depending on traffic. Many nice homes can be found for $275K to $450K range, though if you want new construction or 3000+ SF, you can expect to pay half-million or more.

We actually moved here from West Hartford and loved it there too! West Hartford is slightly more "urban" as it is close to Hartford, but the town center is a great place to eat and shop! My DH always loved Simsbury (he used to work here) so when it was time for us to move into a bigger home, we just happened to find a our dream house here in Simsbury. Home price range similar to Simsbury.

Avon is right next door to Simsbury -- also a great community but the average home price is creeping toward $450K or more (most new construction is about $700-900K). Great school system, good shopping, better highway access then Simsbury. Commute would also be about 20-25 minutes.

Good luck on your search -- I hope this helped!

jk3
10-05-2004, 07:28 PM
That's extremely helpful. Thanks! We've searched on Realtor.com to get a feel for house prices + what's available. There seems to be many more options than we are used to in the NYC suburbs. I'm excited for our trip! I hope you don't mind if I ask some more questions when we return. Thanks for your help.

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

jk3
10-07-2004, 10:39 AM
Thank, Deborah. I love the new avatar. He's so cute!

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

Misha412
10-09-2004, 01:09 PM
Hi Jenn:

Just checking in to see how your Connecticut tour went the other day!
Let me know if you have any questions....

Have a great day,

jk3
10-09-2004, 01:30 PM
Thanks, Michele. We enjoyed the trip immensely + we're really hoping this works out. We will definitely have more questions if we move beyond the planning stage. I appreciate your help! =)

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

ColorBlue
10-10-2004, 01:23 AM
Jenn,

I live in West Hartford and would love to answer any questions you may have. If it helps at all here is our story. I grew up in Connecticut and moved to Boston after law school, met my husband, got married and bought a house in North Andover Massachusetts. BOston suburbs are very very expensive. A starter home cannot be had for less than 350k. And I mean starter, three bedroom small ranches and capes on very small lots.

After our daughter was born we decided that it would be better for our family if I stayed at home with my daughter. But we couldn't stay in Mass on one salary. We decided to look in Connecticut as we have family here. The salaries were very similar to boston salaries but the housing prices were drastically less. You can get a very nice starter home in the 200s and for 300-400 a very nice home. We looked in Avon, Simsbury , Granby, Marlborough and West Hartford. (actually we looked in many more places but only these ones seriously). We decided on West Hartford for the following reasons. It has a great combination of a diverse community and great schools, whereas the other communities were mostly white. West Hartford has very active recreation and library programs for children, my daughter has taken at least six or seven classes through these programs. The town has mostly an older stock of housing, 40's-70's so you need to like older houses, which we prefer. Its got an urban feel to it as opposed to the other towns which are very rural, too rural for us. We really like all the beautiful neighborhoods in West Hartford. Ok well this has gotten long, feel free to email me at gamester at iname.com

I'm expecting twins and am on bedrest and am expecting that they could come anytime so if I don't respond right away don't worry I will.

Tracy

dd Grace 11/01
twin girls due 11/04!!

jk3
10-10-2004, 10:23 AM
Thanks, Tracy. I will email you. Good luck on your upcoming delivery - very exciting!

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

Misha412
10-11-2004, 02:03 PM
Glad you enjoyed it -- I grew up here and am happy to be raising my little one here as well! Please feel free to e-mail me at home:
([email protected]) if things start falling into place as you hope!

Take care!