[NoDelta]

I moved to Springfield MA about a year ago for a new job. One of the reasons for taking the position was to get back to New England and get a little bit of land. With Spring approaching fast, I'm getting more serious about my search and was hoping for some advice:

-I was focusing on the area between Springfield and Hartford. I've been at my job less than a year and if I needed to find something new, Hartford would be my best bet.
-I`m still single, but see kids in my future, so schools are important.
-Taxes in Granby/Windsor seemed way too high, so I`m looking in Enfield/Suffield/Somers, but open to other ideas.
-I've given up on being able to find a nice, walkable downtown in any of these areas, but I'd find to find a community with some good restaurants.
-I'd definitely consider other towns - but where? (East longmeadow? Westfield? Southwick?)
-Ideally, I'd like an acre of two of land for ~300k.

Any insights into the various towns in the area would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[Comp625]

I'm not as familiar with that area but have you considered West Hartford? Not sure if that fits your budget/land criteria but I've always heard good things about their downtown area and the public school district. People here are very fast in recommending West Hartford.

I have friends who live on the border of Longmeadow and East Longmeadow. It's a very nice, quiet community with parts that are very upscale. School system is supposed to be fantastic. No real walkable downtown though (at least to my knowledge). They end up doing most of their commercial shopping in neighboring Enfield.

Hope this helps!

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by NoDelta

I'd definitely consider other towns - but where? (East longmeadow? Westfield? Southwick?)
-Ideally, I'd like an acre of two of land for ~300k.

I think Southwick, Westfield or Easthampton might be feasible. Have you checked the listings on Real Estate sites? I suggest the William Raveis company for comprehensive coverage of both states. There's a converted barn in East Longmeadow on one acre for $295K. It's gorgeous but the taxes are over $5,100, and I'm not sure it's your style.

Southwick has cheaper taxes. I found a couple of properties meeting your criteria with taxes around $3K/year. Longmeadow is likely to be way more expensive than $300K.

[JayCT]

Windsor taxes too high??? Windsor has one of the largest tax bases in the state so I am not sure how their taxes could be high. Still their schools do not have a great reputation so I would not recommend moving there. Suffield is a nice town so of those your mention, I would consider it first. JMHO, Jay

[NoDelta]

Thanks for the responses!

I've heard amazing things about West Hartford, but I think the daily commute to Springfield would be too much.

I've been looking at real estate sites every day for the past couple months - trying to figure out what I want and where I want it. Every community around the area has houses that would work - so I`m trying to figure out which community.

I was fond of a house in Windsor assessed at ~275k with taxes ~8k per year! no way I want to pay ~$800 a month in taxes alone. Good to know about their education system - one more nail in that coffin.

Is there good food anywhere to be found in the area? I've found one or two good restaurants spread out, but I`m a big fan of good food.

[KaoCT]

I hear you on the Granby taxes. I have a 1000 sq ft condo there and pay $3,800 a year. How about East Granby? I think it's a little cheaper.

[DanBev]

Originally Posted by NoDelta

I moved to Springfield MA about a year ago for a new job. One of the reasons for taking the position was to get back to New England and get a little bit of land. With Spring approaching fast, I'm getting more serious about my search and was hoping for some advice:

-I was focusing on the area between Springfield and Hartford. I've been at my job less than a year and if I needed to find something new, Hartford would be my best bet.
-I`m still single, but see kids in my future, so schools are important.
-Taxes in Granby/Windsor seemed way too high, so I`m looking in Enfield/Suffield/Somers, but open to other ideas.
-I've given up on being able to find a nice, walkable downtown in any of these areas, but I'd find to find a community with some good restaurants.
-I'd definitely consider other towns - but where? (East longmeadow? Westfield? Southwick?)
-Ideally, I'd like an acre of two of land for ~300k.

Any insights into the various towns in the area would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

There are no cheap taxes in any of the mentioned towns,Enfield on a par to Windsor.
Windsor Locks is more reasonable.We want to move back but taxes are an obstacle,all taxes.

[Masterj]

I would look at East Granby. Even though there aren't many restaurants, there are more than enough options in the surrounding areas.

[MrGompers]

I'm familiar with the area. If you have the time you can take a ride thru the area following this basic route. Starting in Windsor

RT 75 north past the airport and into Suffield.
West onto RT 168/mountain Rd into Southwick, MA
North onto RT 202/ RT10
Connect to RT 57 east in Feeding hills, MA
Connect to I-91 in Springfield, MA

If you look at a map you will see it's very easy to follow a circular route here.
You could also follow RT 75 north into Agawam, MA instead of taking RT 168 in Suffield.
Getting lost in this area might be good as well, since you never know what you'll discover.

Out of the towns you listed Windsor probably has the best downtown area with a few good restaurants and at least one bar. Northern Windsor (where it borders Windsor Locks) is actually a decent area. The problem with Windsor schools is the town has one high school. Kids from the troubled areas will be mixed in with the kids from the decent areas.

Windsor Locks is supposed to have low property taxes due to the airport. Has some good areas and doesn't have as many problems with the schools as Windsor.

Suffield still has a rural feel and has a very small downtown. Which includes a CVS, dunkin donuts, pizza house, library, fire house, and church among other things.

On the Mass side Southwick still has a rural feel but is getting built up some. Especially along RT 202.
A Plus in the Southwick area there is a lake called "Congamond Lakes" its actually in both states, so that can provide some recreation.

East Longmeadow and Longmeadow, MA are very desirable and the prices reflect that. I would skip those based on price.

Westfield I would forget as it has too much traffic altho it does have a decent downtown area.

I would actually avoid anything west of Springfield that would require you to take RT57 into Springfield, MA where it meets I-91. There's a 2 lane bridge with a very sharp curve at the end which creates traffic havoc every day in both directions.

Based on your requirements, I would choose Suffield, CT.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

You could also follow RT 75 north into Agawam, MA instead of taking RT 168 in Suffield.
Getting lost in this area might be good as well, since you never know what you'll discover.

I know Agawam, and it doesn't look like much. However, the tax rate is about the same as Southwick, and you might find something nice. The schools were nothing great. Westfield has some nice older houses in the center of town, and I would not write it off. I believe you can commute to Springfield on the Mass Turnpike.

Strictly on the lowest tax rate, you might look at Granville Mass, but it is very rural. Chart here: Updated for 2013: Western Massachusetts Tax Rates - RR and Company Realty