Looking for Family friendly towns in CT (New Haven, Hartford: military, housing)

[bunsk2007]

I'd really appreciate some feedback on the following places.

We are a family of 4 with a 13 year old and 14 year old.

We're looking for
friendly family neighbourhood
good high schools and middle schools
countryside nearby for walking
reasonable distant to shopping


The places we're wondering about are:
Old Lyme
Mystic
West Haven
Groton
New Haven
Hamden
Essex
New London

Thanks- all feedback will be appreciated!

[skytrekker]

Bunsk2007

The towns you mentioned all differ greatly.

New Haven, Founded 1638 is located on Long Island Sound, is the most urban, home to Yale University, many fine museums, renowned Theater, it has A pleasant urban town New England green in the downtown. The city has various fine restaurants and much culture. New Haven like most very old New England Cities has some urban problems. Hartford, the state capital is located about 37 miles to the north via 1 91.

Hamden just to the north of New Haven is an 'older New England suburb' with many pleasant neighborhoods, much diversity and good schools.

West Haven is somewhat suburban, however the town has some not so good sections, and has a rather faded grittiness.

New London about 50 miles to the east of New Haven, on Block Island sound has undergone somewhat of a post industrial renaissance. With only 26,000 people, the town is located next to Groton (across the Thames river to the east), which is home to the US Sub Base-so the area has a rather large military presence to a degree no other area of the state does. New London as well as Groton have some 'faded' sections, despite its small size.

Essex on the lower Connecticut river is a small historic river town with much charm and grace- it can be considered somewhat upscale- and has very good schools.


Mystic Though often referred to as a town, Mystic is not a municipality. Rather, it is located within the towns of Groton (west of the Mystic River) and Stonington (east of the Mystic River). The charming area is home to the Mystic historical seaport- and the renowned Aquarium; the downtown is very pleasant as well. The town has many historical homes and buildings. Access to Block Island sound (a few miles away) is via the Mystic river.

Old Lyme is an historic town just to the west of New London. The population was 7,406 at the 2000 census. It is a popular summer beach resort and artists' colony.

[bunsk2007]

Thanks for the reply. There's a lot to consider in it!

It sounds like Essex may be the most possible of those.

Is there anywhere else you think we should be considering, for family life with two teenagers who won't wnat to be 'out in the sticks' and love the outdoors and the beach? (we don't have to be right on the beach though.)

We would like to be on the coast, nearer to RI than NY but within easy distance to NY for visiting family.

But if you're reading this thinking- 'on the coast? she's crazy' and you know of places inland that have excellent schooling and family friendly neighbourhoods, shops, dog walking trails, hiking trails etc; feel free to say!!

Thanks again.

[skytrekker]

Connecticut has other options near or on the coast- east of New Haven are some very pleasant New England towns, which are from west to east; Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook and at the mouth of the Connecticut river, Old Saybrook (just about 9 miles south of Essex). All these towns are quaint, have beaches, walking trails, nice town centers and more then adequate shopping. Westbrook and Saybrook would be about 40 and 35 miles west of the Rhode Island border.

Also consider the town of Chester, just south of Essex, another very quaint river town and with much history.

Also consider the town of Stonington- just to the east of Groton/New London- and less then a half hour from the Rhode Island line. Best of luck!

[JayCT]

You have a pretty diverse list of towns. They are not a like at all. My impressions of each are:

Old Lyme - Nice small beach town that swells with people in the summer. Schools are excellent (scoring above state averages on Connecticut Mastery and Connecticut Academic Performace test) with small class sizes (less than 20 students per class).

Mystic - Is not really a town, but a section of Groton and Stonington that borders the Mystic River. A large tourist destination that also swells with people during the summer months. Very pretty area on the water. Stonington schools are very good with reasonable class sizes. Groton schools are good with reasonable class sizes.

West Haven - A more urban type suburb with some urban type issues. Schools are not great with many families sending their kids to private schools.

Groton - Military town with diverse housing options. Many very nice areas. Schools are good with reasonable class sizes.

New Haven - Large city (by Connecticut standards) that is home to Yale University. Has urban issues. Schools have issues. Many people send their kids to private schools.

Hamden - Diverse somewhat urban to very suburban town. Schools generally perform under state averages on Connecticut Mastery and Connecticut Academic Performance tests. Class sizes are a bit higher than 20 students per class

Essex - Beautiful small lower Connecticut River Valley town. Schools are excellent with small class sizes (under 20 students).

New London - Small city with some urban issues. Schools have some issues. Many people send their kids to private schools.

Hope this helps. Jay

[shugct]

Prospect and Bethany are lovely rural towns that are close to everything except real crime. Schools are good and good quality of life. No more that 20 miles to the coast and close commuter rail to NYC in Naugatuck.

[mbbnsb]

Answer= Stonington. This town is divided into fire districts. Mystic, Old Mystic, Quambaug, Stonington fire district (that includes Stonington Borough),Wequetequock, Pawcatuck.