[sun]

There are many nice parts of Bristol that have a suburban feel with lots of land, trees and room for growth.
Even though the central downtown area is older and in need of re-development, it's still a decent middle class city with vibrant business activity that serves as the commercial hub for many of the bordering towns which are located on the footsteps of Litchfield County.

[debct]

Originally Posted by Maharg

I did a search on Bristol on Realtor.com and saw 188 houses under 200,000

I live in north Jersey and cant even sniff a house for that anymore. Can someone please tell me what Bristol is like?

Try looking at plainville. The schools are good, low crime,lots of kids things to do through parks and rec. The housing prices are low.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Happy in Forestville

Also, there is a positive element of diversity in general, which you simply will not get in Southington or Farmington: those towns are very white-bred and cloistered.

Yea stay away from those "white people" they are really bad. Who would want to live in myopic "whitey" town?

That has to be one of the more ignorant racial comments I've read here in a long time.

If someone said "The Blue Hills area is not that desireable because it's a bit too black centric" their would be outrage...but feel free to bash whitey any time you wish.

[Lincolnian]

Originally Posted by Happy in Forestville

I've been quite happy living in the Forestville (East) section of Bristol which borders on Southington and Plainville. It's extremely residential and very nice with incredibly easy access to both I-84 and I-91. I've lived here for 5 years and paid $228K for my 3 bedroom home on .40 of an acre (corner lot). This particular community is extraordinarily safe and well-maintained. Very "old fashioned", very similar to the way I grew up. The elementary school is fine. You're a hop, skip and a jump to West Hartford's Blue Back Square and West Farms Mall, without the outrageously high taxes and house prices, if you want the upscale mode.

For us, the savings has been worth it. This house in West Hartford would've been $329, all day long, with no yard.

Sure, Bristol "proper" leaves something to be desired, but you really don't need to even head into Bristol when you live in Forestville. Also, there is a positive element of diversity in general, which you simply will not get in Southington or Farmington: those towns are very white-bred and cloistered. Too pretentious for my taste.

In addition, there are some very wealthy subdivisions that have been built in Forestville over the past 2-3 years, $500K+ homes, very beautiful!
Hope this helps.

Hi Happy in Forestville,

We're neighbors. Forestville is a great place to live. As you said there is great access to the highways and it is a quiet suburban section of the city with close proximity to everything. The homes here are a true value in terms of all that you receive for the money compared to other communities.

If you haven't already done so please consider joining the Forestville Village Association. Just show up at a meeting. Meeting dates and times are posted on the sign next to Nuchies in the center of Forestville. The FVA is working to beautify Forestville and help support Forestville small businesses through active community involvement.

Sincerely,

Lincolnian

[Lincolnian]

Hey Happy in Forestville,

Did you happen to catch a soccer game over at the Malebro Fields on Emmett Street yesterday? Sitting there yesterday morning in the cool crisp air with a backdrop of tall pines as well as flowering deciduous trees and bushes was absolutely breathtaking. It seemed like all our neighbors were there from all over Bristol watching the kids play as multiple games took place.

How about the opening ceremonies for Girls' softball at Peck Park today? Mayor Ward threw a pretty good pitch!

There is a lot to do and see in Bristol. Bristol, Forestville in particular, is a fine place to raise a family!

[BurnsE]

ok, Bristol isn't that bad...I also live in the forestville section of bristol and raised my 2 daughters here. Our home is in a subdivision thats 15 yrs old and the value has increased >$100K. Education is a top priority here...my daughters attended Hubbell school, chms & behs...two out of the three are blue ribbon schools. There is a community hospital that has a new president who is making positive changes. Our parks are being updated and the RT 72 extension is in full swing. RT 6 (strip mall city & grocery stores galore) is a nightmare on the weekends...but I usually head to plainville the next town over for shopping. Now that we are empty-nesters I am looking forward to finding a location (out of CT) where we aren't taxed to death and with sunny skies 12mos of the year....Any recommendations?

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by BurnsE

ok, Bristol isn't that bad...I also live in the forestville section of bristol and raised my 2 daughters here. Our home is in a subdivision thats 15 yrs old and the value has increased >$100K. Education is a top priority here...my daughters attended Hubbell school, chms & behs...two out of the three are blue ribbon schools. There is a community hospital that has a new president who is making positive changes. Our parks are being updated and the RT 72 extension is in full swing. RT 6 (strip mall city & grocery stores galore) is a nightmare on the weekends...but I usually head to plainville the next town over for shopping. Now that we are empty-nesters I am looking forward to finding a location (out of CT) where we aren't taxed to death and with sunny skies 12mos of the year....Any recommendations?

City-Data.com has a great Retirement Board going. That would be a good place to ask this question. Good luck, Jay

[BurnsE]

Hey JayCT...thanks for the lead but I'm not old enough to retire just looking to relocate.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by BurnsE

Hey JayCT...thanks for the lead but I'm not old enough to retire just looking to relocate.

Sorry did not realize this. You still might want to check out that board anyway and see what people there recommend. Of course they would not be able to tell you anything about job availability there. Jay

[rog3357]

i disagree with most here, bristol is now seeing a highway go through to pine st. the schools are great for kids, page park has the best play ground for kids i ever seen. there fixing alot of bristol now and setting up alot of programs for kids, theres alot of different races in bristol, white black Hispanic polish french
every kind, i am white and welcome all races to be my neighbor, as long as we are good it dosent make anydiff. what color my skin is.
theres farm day every year witch is a great free thing bristol does, the mum fest, they have a self defence program for kids from the parks and rec that is wicked cheap, i love it here, i bought my house for 65.000 11 years ago and now its worth 180.000. i have a doughter that went from central to college
in ohio studying to be a doctor, my son came from the same school and non of them do any kind of drugs, well thats my 2 cents