[takingoff]

Hello,

My husband and I are considering moving to CT starting in the fall. I'm from CT originally, and we'd be moving from a couple hours away, out of state. We'd love to be near (like 1/2 hour away maybe) to Waterbury/Southington/Meriden area. Anyone have any ideas for suitable towns? Anything will help. Something en route to MA (any area of it) would work as well.

I'm seriously burned out from my occupation and location, and we'd love to just have quiet for a year or so before seeing where we're led beyond that (maybe going back to school). We'll have a death in the family (chronic illness) by then and other issues to mourn and contemplate, so we're craving quiet, nature, and simplicity. We'll have steady income (not much) but enough for about $850 hopefully with utilities included but negotiable.

We're not hermits, but where we are now is incredibly busy, crowded, noisy, etc.

I can't wait to get home again, so thanks for any town suggestions. I've never rented in CT.

[AnonChick]

$850 isn't much, so your options will be limited. A studio or one-bedroom apartment at best - a home-sharing situation at worst, and possibly an in-law apartment in someone's private home whose inlaws don't live there, or a carriage house or converted garage might work, in urban areas.

Durham's sort of on the outskirts of Meriden to the east, and that's pretty rural. No idea what, if anything, is available in terms of apartments but it's New England historic settlers and farm country for sure. It gets nuts during the Durham Agricultural Fair but other than that it's a pretty quiet, close, comfy community. It's the furthest I think you'd want to go, and still be in reasonable proximity to Waterbury.

Wolcott and Cheshire are a much closer commute between all three towns (Meriden, Southington, and Waterbury) but I'm guessing you won't find rents anywhere near affordable with your budget. Either would be great as far as being more rural goes. Cheshire's suburbs are very suburbanish (it's a real word, I made it myself), but the rest of it is is wooded hillsides with farms and pastures and creeks and more trees and wild turkeys and more trees and sometimes bears and trees, and sometimes - you see trees. Mostly it's trees.

[goldenage1]

Litchfield and Harwinton are lovely and peaceful, but there are limited numbers of rentals. On Realtor.com there is exactly one rental in each town: a 1BR in Litchfield for $850, and a 2BR in Harwinton for $850. If you see something you like, jump on it quickly, as decent rentals are in short supply.

[JayCT]

Durham is an upscale rural town. The OP will not find much if anything there for that price. They should likely look north of Waterbury up Route 8. Torrington may have some rentals in that price range. Also check some of the towns surrounding Torrington for rentals. You may find something there. Jay

[Stylo]

In addition to what's been suggested here, maybe try Killingworth too?

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Stylo

In addition to what's been suggested here, maybe try Killingworth too?

That is not convenient to Waterbury. Jay

[RogerAnthony]

You could find a two bedroom apartment in Thomaston for that price. Thomaston is 15 minutes from Waterbury and 30 minutes from the Massachusetts state line.

[takingoff]

Thank you everyone! These are great ideas. You've all been really helpful. I gave those three towns as a loose guide. Although I grew up in CT, a lot of the towns are just a jumble.

Thanks for the website too, goldenage, I checked that out. It's great to know we have options.