[CTlibrarian]

I'm sure others saw the same newspaper blurb that I did where Collinsville is named one of Frommers "coolest small towns"

Small Town Deemed 'Cool' -- Courant.com


My husband and I have always loved that area and have put it on our short list of towns we are considering moving to. Any insider info about it as a place to live? How's the traffic during rush hour and also on Saturdays for doing errands? Comments about the schools and offerings for kids? Anything else worth sharing?

Thanks in advance!

[JayCT]

Collinsville is a small village on the Farmington River within the Town of Canton. It is an old industrial village that has been well kept and has many historic and interesting buildings that have been well maintained. The schools in Canton are considered to be very good with Connecticut Mastery Test scores above the state average and reasonable class sizes. Like most towns in the Farmington River Valley, access to Canton and Collinsville can be difficult. Route 44 and 4 into the valley have issues particularly during peak hours of traffic. Route 44 in Canton, Simsbury and Avon has a lot of shopping, restaurants and entertainment options so leaving the valley is not necessary to buy most things you need. Hope this helps, Jay

[JiminCT]

lol..I used to leap off the tressel bridge with friends into the Farmington River in high school (for those who know..its the bridge next to the large antiques building). The town was really dead then...except for Mr. Wilson's bar. 20 years and the ever expanding GHA, along with a NY Times article has changed Collinsville.

Pretty, Peaceable and Poised for a Litchfield Spillover - New York Times

Collinsville rides the line between funky and old timers. There are a lot of artists quietly living there. It's not really a vibrant town..but its truly a beautiful little hollow of Canton. The old Collins axe factory itself was recently sold, so we'll see whether the vision of condos etc will come to fruition. It currently houses some craft and artisian businesses...

The Crown and Hammer has evolved out of an old coffee bar and its a fine addition out there (good food..and local musicians too). Excellent bakery as well across the street (true French baguettes...).

[glxyman21]

Canton is a nice town, kind of woodsey in many neighborhoods and also very hilly. It is unfortunate that the big box stores that were limited to Avon and Simsbury moved their way in further down Rt. 44. The Shoppes at Farmington Valley, though while nice, take away from the historic part of Canton. Now a Lowes Home Improvement has an application on the board. I guess all things changes, but if Canton still wants to preserve its character a change in regulations would be due.

[JiminCT]

Some people who havent lived here a long time unfortunately have no respect for the history of the valley. They see big box retail and chain stores as "good" progress" for Average Americans. That awful looking complex in Canton used to be a great tobagganing run on the golf course. Much of progress around the Farmington Valley seems to lack taste. At least we have the Farmington River for fishing....

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by JiminCT

Some people who havent lived here a long time unfortunately have no respect for the history of the valley. They see big box retail and chain stores as "good" progress" for Average Americans. That awful looking complex in Canton used to be a great tobagganing run on the golf course. Much of progress around the Farmington Valley seems to lack taste. At least we have the Farmington River for fishing....

Whatever "progress" has happened in Canton certainly is controversial. There's a developer trying to construct a lifestyle center here in Cheshire. Opponents are always saying "take a look at Canton" as a reason against it.

[JiminCT]

Let the folks in Cheshire go shopping in Meriden or Milford or Westfarms. Cheshire has already destroyed a lot of farmland for progress. I hope Simsbury doesnt get suckered by Konover, who wants to build one there as well. Should probably watch the bank accounts of the Marty McGillicuddies who run the town...

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by JiminCT

Let the folks in Cheshire go shopping in Meriden or Milford or Westfarms. Cheshire has already destroyed a lot of farmland for progress. I hope Simsbury doesnt get suckered by Konover, who wants to build one there as well. Should probably watch the bank accounts of the Marty McGillicuddies who run the town...

Everyone has the right to develop their property to its fullest and best use allowed under our zoning laws. In Canton, the town did not want to buy the golf course that was where the Shoppes at Farmington Vallley are today. The town and residents also did a lot to change the plans to oush the center toward Route 44 as much as possible and eliminate what would have been a larger buffer that would have helped reduce the scale of the project. I wonder if people would be complaining as much if the shoppes were the site of an old asphalt plant instead of a golf course.

These stores do serve a purpose and do provide some good. The provide jobs for residents; they provide places for people to shop near their homes (which means they do not have to travel over Avon Mountain) and they provide a LOT of taxes to a town that really did need more tax base. JMHO Jay

[glxyman21]

I find that retail chains are a poor excuse for "growth in jobs" as the majority of these stores pay minimum wage to their employees. Maybe good for kids in High School, but by no means meant to support one's self.

I'm not sure how the plan in Cheshire is working since this will draw controversey from two towns (Cheshire and Southington) as this development is on the town lines. I can safely say the roads in this area cannot handle the additional traffic (rt. 10/I-691 interchange, Rt. 322 in Southington cannot be widened easily as there is a train bridge that crosses it, plus the local roads in these areas are narrow and very old.

[JiminCT]

"The provide jobs for residents; they provide places for people to shop near their homes (which means they do not have to travel over Avon Mountain) and they provide a LOT of taxes to a town that really did need more tax base. JMHO Jay"

Jay..ask a Canton resident whether or not their property tax bill has stabilized since that charming little development went up. It hasnt at all....taxes keep going up because the local govt sees HOUSING PRICES going up. Avon is the same way...the tax bill has gone way up in the past 5 years...all due to the town licking their chops at the inflated housing. Additionally, the Shoppes have provided Canton with 8.50-9.50 per hour "good" jobs...I'm sure most people in the Valley can work there and afford a home....have you checked the housing in Canton lately?