Looking to move to Connecticut? If you’re going to buy a home here, the only problem you’ll have is choosing from the many exceptional towns, cities, and neighborhoods that make up the best places to live in Connecticut. From access to good public schools for those with young children to easy access to commuter routes for those who have to travel to work, there is an awful lot to think about.
Not wanting to overwhelm you, we’ve created this list of recommendations for the 10 best places to live in Connecticut to give you an idea of your options in this great state.
We surveyed over 15 ranking sites to put together our list and chose the 10 most mentioned locations. In other words, this is not a comprehensive list, and there are many other best places to live in Connecticut that you’ll discover when you do your own research. For now, read on for our tips on the best places to live in Connecticut.
A Little History
Connecticut was established in 1788, making it one of the oldest states in the United States. Connecticut is known for its rich history, academia, beautiful autumns, and sunny summers by the beach. With its thriving arts and cultural scene, acres of densely forested hiking trails, and stunning coastline, it earns a reputation as one of the most desirable states in the country.
Connecticut is also one of the most charming of all the American states. With a rustic mix of coastal towns and rural havens, there is a lot to love about this area of New England. Spanning just 110 miles from east to west and 70 miles from north to south, Connecticut is by no means big, but it packs a mighty punch.
With its stunning coastline, acres of densely forested hiking trails, and thriving arts and cultural scene, it has a reputation as one of the US’s most desirable states. From New Haven to Mystic, with its’ Seaport museum and the Mystic Aquarium, there is always something to discover in Connecticut.
Hartford
One hundred miles west of Boston is Hartford, Connecticut’s capital city. Hartford boasts world-class museums and a wide variety of dining and shopping options and offers city living at its finest – making it easy to include as one of the best places to live in Connecticut.
History seeps through the streets of Hartford. One of the oldest cities in the country, this busy spot has a prime location on the banks of the Connecticut River. In its heyday, Hartford garnered wealth through its insurance industry and drew famous authors to settle here.
You can visit one of Hartford’s top tourist attractions, the Mark Twain House & Museum, to up your knowledge of the literary culture or tour Harriet Beecher Stowe’s former home in the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center. While you’re at it, check out America’s oldest free public museum, the Wadsworth Atheneum, where you can check out a remarkable collection of objects. And don’t miss the beautiful 37-acre Bushnell Park, beloved by kids and adults alike, especially the carousel and unbeatable State Capitol Building views.
Weatogue
Weatogue is one of the smallest towns in Connecticut, with only 2,935 residents, and has a village-like feel. Weatogue ranks as one the best places to live in Connecticut due to having some of Connecticut’s best state schools, some beautiful parks, and a really low crime rate. Weatogue’s streets are popular sites for music festivals, fairs, and parades all year long. You’ll also find friendly neighbors in Weatogue, and it’s the epitome of a small-town vibe which helps explain why this small Hartford suburb is high on so many families’ wish lists.
House prices here are far more affordable than in many other Connecticut towns, putting them much more within reach of the average working American. With that in mind, it will come as a tiny surprise to hear that Weatogue is considered by many to be the best place in Connecticut to buy a house.
Greenwich
Lying just south of Stamford is the suburb of Greenwich. Greenwich’s exceptional desirability is not questioned, and many sites rank it among the top 3 best places to live in Connecticut.
Along with low crime, world-class schools, and excellent job prospects, the number of outdoor lovers’ opportunities to fix on nature is outstanding, with multiple Audubon preserves for hiking, beautiful parks and playgrounds, and access to the lovely Tod’s Point Beach. Plus, being a suburb of New York City, it’s an easy commute for residents working there.
Simsbury
One of the best places to live in Connecticut is Simsbury. It lies on the outskirts of Connecticut’s state capital, Hartford. Simsbury is home to 23,844 people, and there are several neighborhoods in the area, most of which are classic New England-style homes.
Located so close to Connecticut’s largest city Simsbury has a slight town feel, a charming main street area, excellent schools, and parks filled with natural beauty. With its first-class amenities, and diverse, welcoming community, Simsbury is a wonderful place to raise a family.
West Hartford
West Hartford is a charming and affordable suburb of the state capital with over 300 years of history, making it one of the best places to live in Connecticut. The city is home to two universities and the West Hartford Center, a downtown area with shops, restaurants, and other amenities that have existed since the 17th century.
This area is very popular with millennials, perhaps due to house prices being at the lower end of the scale for Connecticut. Locals say that there’s a lot to love about this area and that it is an ideal location to raise a family. The town is safe and secure, and there are plenty of activities for people of all ages.
The Center and the Square is always buzzing with some kind of festival or market going on, the West Hartford Reservoir looks like something straight out of a fairy tale, and you can even take your kids to Westmoor Park, where they can meet llamas, donkeys, horses, cows, goats, and more.
Glastonbury
Glastonbury is a suburb of Hartford whose western border flows with the meander of the Connecticut River. A city of around 35,000 residents, Glastonbury was chosen as Connecticut’s most livable city in a number of the ranking sites we reviewed, so we couldn’t leave it off the list of best places to live in Connecticut.
This area was founded in 1693, but the first set of settlers arrived in 1636. Glastonbury boasts a rich tradition and vintage New England feel. Houses in Glastonbury are of the classic New England style, and you can get good value for your money here, too.
Glastonbury is a city that has much to offer its residents the recreational opportunities of a big city, lots of amenities, attractions, and a friendly vibe. Residents enjoy proximity to the Meshomashic State Forest and a position along the Connecticut River, where the longest-running ferry in American history is still in operation.
Darien
This town in Fairfield County has a relatively small population of just over 20,000 – but is still one of the best places to live in Connecticut. When you’re not too busy walking around looking at the beautiful homes in Darien, there’s plenty else to do in the area.
Cove Island Park and Cummings Park are just a few miles away for nature lovers. There is also the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium, and for foodies, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza alone is reason enough to give Darien a try. If all that weren’t enough, Darien was also ranked the safest place overall by all the sites we reviewed.
Avon
With a population of 18,381, Avon may not be Hartford’s biggest suburb, but it certainly ranks as one of Connecticut’s best places to live. Home prices average $378,000, but few would nit-pick over the price when it comes with such a serious bunch of perks. Crime is almost too low to warrant a mention, and the schools are of exceptional quality. With its close proximity to neighboring towns such as West Hartford, Simsbury, Collinsville, and Farmington, you’re guaranteed that if for any reason you can’t find what you’re looking for on your doorstep, you won’t have too far to go to get it.
Cheshire
Cheshire sits halfway between Hartford and New Haven, but there’s nothing middle-of-the-road about this community of 29,000 residents. Cheshire is a quaint city with historic residential districts, museums, and plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation on nearby trails like the Quinnipiac Trail and the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.
Combining small-town charm paired with being close to two major cities, its manageable cost of living makes it a practical place to call home.
Called the “bedding plant capital of Connecticut,” Cheshire has a pastoral New England appeal. Among its most charming attributes are horse barns, orchards, gardens, and the waterfalls in Roaring Brook Park.
In Conclusion
There you have it! Our list of the 10 Best Places to Live in Connecticut. Our list is by no means comprehensive because, for a small state, Connecticut has so many, many fantastic places to live.
Connecticut offers you every type of environment you could want, from coastal communities and suburban enclaves to city living and rural settings. We encourage you to do some research on your own or get in touch with us today to discover more of the best places to live in Connecticut.
Are You Looking to Buy a Home in Connecticut?
If you’re looking to buy a home in Connecticut, we’re here to help you every step of the way. The Spectrum Real Estate Consultants Team is the top producing team of Realtors at Keller Williams Realty Leading Edge. Our mission is to provide our clients with world-class service while simplifying your home buying journey through experience, technology, and effective communication.
Our team members are licensed in, live in, and serve their local communities throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Our knowledge and professional experience allow us to identify opportunities and prevent unnecessary setbacks saving you time, money, and frustration. If you’re ready to explore the best places to live in Connecticut, let’s schedule a time to talk!