[Stylo]

Originally Posted by julieyogi

Yes our range is 350k and under. Thanks for the other recommendations. I’m going to transfer my job. But I’m also yoga instructor and would look to pick up a part time gig. My husband is in accounting. Owns a Tax business. We like parks, beaches, hiking, yoga, coffee shops, concerts, vegetarian food, craft beer, bike riding, farms (cows/horses).

I bet you’d like Canton/Collinsville/New Hartford. Nice parks, hiking, coffee shops, restaurants. Collinsville and New Hartford centers are small but have loads of character. Not far from West Hartford for lots more. Great schools. Relatively affordable.

I have friends that live in Canton with similar interests and they love it there.

[SunFlower33]

Bristol schools suck and is not the most "crunchy" community.

[TobinJ]

As a former resident of Bristol I have an iffy opinion of it, I was lucky enough to live on the Chippens Hill part of town which has a nicer feel and better elementary schools, plus very close to Burlington, Thomaston, etc where your husband will find farms. I didn’t have children so I wasn’t overly concerned but I have family in the schools and agree they could certainly be better. My greatest issue was with access to things. The two main drags rt 6 and 72 have most of the retail shopping but get so congested a 20 minute errand can take much longer. Someone here mentioned Middletown and I moved back there after my Bristol time, most of Middletown has convenient retail, there’s a great Main Street, we’re close to Durham, east Hampton, Portland, east Haddam where your husband can find farms. You may even look in east Hampton, which would make it a quick hop to more rural towns and they have wonderful schools and houses in your range.

Ideally you should spend a week up here driving around, things can differ greatly in a 30 minute radius and only you know what you’re looking for. Good luck with the hunt, Pm me if you need a wonderful realtor who knows the areas I mentioned.

[hvexpatinct]

I agree that Collinsville is a nice location for someone who likes outdoor activities. The Farmington Valley rail trail is very popular for running/biking and there are multiple points of access there. It's still a bit removed from larger amenities, but not rural.

if you choose to go to one of the smaller Farmington Valley towns like Canton or Burlington -- carefully consider the location and amount of time it will take you to get to and from school, work, and activities. I have co-workers who live in both towns and that is really their only complaint - having to shuttle kids to Avon or Simsbury or Farmington for activities.

[SunFlower33]

Farmington is a good option.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by SunFlower33

Farmington is a good option.

Farmington is a great town. It has excellent schools and lots for families to do. The only thing is that the OP's budget will not go as far there as other towns and it is unlikely that they will find the land they are looking for there. Still Farmington is considered one of the most desirable towns in greater Hartford and has some of the lowest taxes in the state. The OP should at least consider it. Jay

[SunFlower33]

Taxes are lower there at least!

[SparkyR59]

Just curious what's wrong with bristol for me it looks like night and day compared to waterbury where I grew up the last 31 years was looking into that area

[RogerAnthony]

Originally Posted by SparkyR59

Just curious what's wrong with bristol for me it looks like night and day compared to waterbury where I grew up the last 31 years was looking into that area

That's because while Bristol may be among the 20 worst towns in CT Waterbury is among the three worst, so you are moving up in the world.

[hvexpatinct]

Originally Posted by SparkyR59

Just curious what's wrong with bristol for me it looks like night and day compared to waterbury where I grew up the last 31 years was looking into that area

IMO.... nothing wrong with Bristol, it is safe and affordable, but for someone who has young kids in public school and a budget of over $250k for a house, there are better options for the money in the same area.