[Bryon]

If anyone has enough knowledge of these towns, could you compare specifically the leisure/recreation and distance to 30-something social life...
My wife and I are not typical soccer parents and we would like to occasionally enjoy our marriage independent of our 2 cute cherubs. Which of these or others east of Waterbury are good picks. Love a good cup of chowder too!

Thanks

Bryon

[skytrekker]

Farmington and Avon, both west of Hartford, are considered upscale towns. Farmington has perhaps the more historic center, with Miss Porters school the institution where future first Lady Jackie Kennedy attended. Farmington has many older homes, and some newer sub divisions, as well as many townhouse condos. Farmington is also home to the University of Connecticut hospital. Shopping is adequate, although there is far more in neighboring Avon.

Avon is considered one of greater Hartford premier bedroom communities- with some very expensive homes and jazzy subdivisions. Avon and Farmington have many excellent restaurants of high quality. Culture and nightlife however are limited, with more found in neighboring West Hartford and Hartford.

Glastonbury is greater Hartford's premier community to live east of the CT river- the town of 30,000 lies just to the southeast across the Connecticut river from Hartford. There is ample fine shopping, many excellent restaurants - but nightlife is rather limited Hartford, just across the river has nightlife and great cultural assets. Glastonbury has some fine established neighborhoods, and some areas with new homes.

All three of these towns have excellent schools.

[JayCT]

Bryon - You mention Farmington and Glastonbury which are suburbs of Hartford, but you also mention Groton which is in the southeast part of the state. Is there a reason? There is a lot of distance between Groton and the other towns.

Groton is a diverse small town that is home to the US Submarine Base and a major pharmacuetical facility. Homes range from modest apartments to $1 million waterfront homes. Schools in Groton generally perform just the state average on the Connecticut Mastery and Connecticut Academic Performance tests. Class sizes are reasonable (around 20 students per class).

A 30-something social life could be found in Hartford and West Hartford. both Glastonbury and Farmington are easily accessible to these places. As Skytrekker indicated, both of these towns are upscale suburbs with very nice neighborhoods to live in. In many ways they are similar. Schools in both towns are excellent (performing well over state averages) and there are a lot of family type activities other than soccer. Hope this helps. Jay

[MuttMommy]

West Hartford and Hartford by far have the best 30-something social life, access to culture, nightlife and activities. Farmington & Glastonbury have a bit older demographics but of those two, Glastonbury has the most access to shops & restaurants.

I don't honestly know much about Groton other than it's far from the other two you mentioned and has the sub base.

One plus that Farmington and West Hartford have are the MDC, a reservoir that has walking trails. Glastonbury has a state park but I think there is a charge, where as the MDC is free and very accessible from Farmington, West Hartford & Avon.

Another option might be the Middletown or New Haven areas. Not sure what your commute is going to be but those are small cities that have active 30-something social activities and there are suburbs close by you can choose to live in living in the cities aren't for you.