[Nellieand3]

Hi!

My husband has a job offer in E Hartford. We have 3 small children so I would like to know what towns nearby have good schools. We are moving from TX, so it will be quite a change! Also, I would like a family friendly town- I will be a SAHM mom. It does not need to be a nanny/BMW town- not our style. We are much more budget conscious! Something on the more affordable side would be great.

Thanks so much- we do not know alot about CT so are kind of lost!

[skytrekker]

Connecticut is a typical New England/northeastern state. Prices are high for real estate, as well as taxes.

Much depends on your move regarding income, and what you can afford for rent or to buy a house. Medium house price in the Hartford area is about 260K- towns east of Hartford will be cheaper- A new home in Vernon, Ellington and other towns will range from 245K and up for 3 bedr0oms 1.5 baths. Older homes will start at about 195K and up-

Taxes for real estate will range from 2500 to 5000k a year for a newer home, depending on assessed value. Older homes will be less for taxes. Autos and trucks are taxed locally (the town you reside) There is a 6% sales tax (none on groceries, prescriptions) State income tax of 4.5%, No county taxes.

Towns to consider are Manchester, Vernon, South Windsor, Ellington, Willington,Tolland, Somers, Bolton, Willington & Coventry all east of the Connecticut river and a easy commute to East Hartford.

Better schools will be in South Windsor, Bolton,Willington, Ellington,Somers, Tolland & Coventry- though schools in Vernon and Manchester are good.

Connecticut has easy coastal access, cultural assets that are global, and a genteel population that is diverse and tolerant.

[saturn70006]

I'm in the same situation as you are except we are in Louisiana. Sent you a direct message.

angel

[JayCT]

You might want to consider Glastonbury. It has an excellent school system (one of the best in the State) and is a great place to raise a family. There is a lot of great shopping, restaurant and family activities offered here and the town is convenient to East Hartford as well as most of the rest of the hartford area. Many people that work at Pratt & Whitney live in town because of its convenience.

Glastonbury offers a wide range of housing options as well, from modest apartments to mansions. The northend of town is the most affordable and most convenient to just about everything you want. I live there and can tell you that the school there, Naubuc is escellent. in fact, I was recently talking with a mother whose home was redistricted out of Naubuc (the added a new school and had to shift all of the school districts around) and she noted that she preferred Naubuc because of the community atmoshere there. she found Naubuc had a lot more activities and the PTO was a lot more involved and did a lot more for the school. Naubuc is a lot more diverse than the other schools as well which is great since your kids get to meet and be friends with a wide range of people. It is also nice that the kids get to see that not everyone's mom and dad are well off professionals that can afford to give them everything they want.

Let me know if you have any questions, Jay