[CrissCT]

Yay, we finally confirmed that we are moving to the Hartford area for sure! Husband's job will be in Berlin. We are looking at smaller sized towns. East Hampton has caught our eye, we are also considering Middlefield. Seems we can get more house for our dollar in East Hampton, but it is a little further from Berlin (but not enough to prevent us from seriously considering living there). I am probably asking to compare apples and oranges but any insight is appreciated.

Factors in our decision are:

schools (we have 2 elementary aged kids), community feel, safety, setting (scenery)

Thanks for any help!

[Rich Lee]

In addition to the distance from East Hampton to Berlin is crossing the Arrigoni Bridge from Portland to Middletown. If you choose Middlefield, you won't have this issue.

As for schools, Middlefield is part of Regional School District (RSD) #13. East Hampton has its own school district.

[wanderintonc]

East Hampton is farther from Berlin than Middlefield. There can be a lot of traffic trying to get over the bridge, and into East Hampton.

Have you considered East Berlin or the Kensington section of Berlin? Cromwell is nice too, although not a small town like Middlefield.

[CrissCT]

Originally Posted by wanderintonc

East Hampton is farther from Berlin than Middlefield. There can be a lot of traffic trying to get over the bridge, and into East Hampton.

Have you considered East Berlin or the Kensington section of Berlin? Cromwell is nice too, although not a small town like Middlefield.

People keep suggesting we just look in Berlin (I have also looked at Cromwell) - I don't know why we are trying to make this more difficult (it would be so easy to just live minutes from my husbands job), so maybe we just need to find the right house in the Berlin area (the few we have seen look great on the internet and then you drive by and it is feet from the road or has another major flaw). Thanks!

[Rich Lee]

Was there anything about Berlin that you didn't like? It's a town with a lot of variety. There's retail along the Berlin Turnpike (Route 15) and two hamlets, Kensington and East Berlin, that have their own character.

Many are confused to see farms in the southwest corner near Southington and Meriden. Give it another shot.

[CrissCT]

Originally Posted by Rich Lee

Was there anything about Berlin that you didn't like? It's a town with a lot of variety. There's retail along the Berlin Turnpike (Route 15) and two hamlets, Kensington and East Berlin, that have their own character.

Many are confused to see farms in the southwest corner near Southington and Meriden. Give it another shot.

Right now I'm just going by my husband's description, but he didn't like the fact that there seemed to be a lot of "adult" businesses located along the main road through Berlin (I'm assuming Rte. 15). I think we will give it another shot though as he will be in temporary housing for awhile and that gives us some time.

[JayCT]

There is a reason East Hampton is less expensive than Middlefield. The first is location. As someone else indicated crossing the Connecticut River on the Arragoni Bridge is not easy. Another issue is schools. East Hampton schools are good but Middlefield are considered to be better. Middlefield has better access to shopping alternatives. In East Hampton you would have to drive quite a distance and that can get old quickly. Hope this helps. Jay

[ShadowGod]

I vote for Middlefield since I grew up there Great place to grow up as a kid. Great community.

A commute from East Hampton to Berlin would be a bigger pain because it's on the other side of the river.

Berlin does have a lot of adult businesses and a lot of "hourly rate" motels along the main drag there (route 15 or the "Berlin Turnpike"), but mosty on the southern section, south of the 372 interchange. North of that the turnpike runs through Berlin and Newington and is a big shopping area.

[JayCT]

I do not know that I would say there are a lot of "adult" entertainment places in Berlin. I guess it is a matter of what you consider "adult". There are a couple of bars that to me are adult plus a couple of bars and restaurants that are not (the Hawthorne Inn is very good). There are several older motels and a bunch of car repair places that add to the appearance. These really do not effect the town itself but because the turnpike is named for the town, the connection is there. Jay

[CrissCT]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I think we will take East Hampton out of the running and focus on Middlefield (my husband really liked the fact that there are 2 golf courses and a lake there), Berlin/Kensington, and Cromwell.