[Yodelady]

I am thinking of moving to Thomaston from CA. Does anyone have any info about the town - crime, employment opps., weather, etc.

I grew up in CT but have been gone for 30 years.

[Dragondog]

Thomaston, located about 7 or 8 miles north of Waterbury, on the route 8 'Freeway'- is a small old New England Mill town- it is named after the local clock maker Seth Thomaston. The pleasant Main Street with many small shops, bakeries and restaurants runs parallel north/south along the Naugatuck river. Fine Views of the hills are visible to the east and west.

Population about 8000-growth since 2000, over 5%. The towns has many fine older homes, many that are historical. Several very attractive churches are located in town. There is an historical opera house and railroad station. The historical society has many fine antiques, including clocks, located in a museum in the town hall. Pleasant town center with a nice Town Hall and fine library. New High School addition.

The town has grown rapidly in recent years. Hartford is 22 miles to the east via US route 6 and I 84.
Employment in western CT would be in Waterbury (mostly health care and services) General DataComm manufacturer of telecommunications equipment, employs approximately 1200 between its Middlebury corporate center and its factory in nearby Waterbury.

Crime in Thomaston is low.

Weather will have four distinct seasons, compared to what you have become used to in CA. Connecticut is a small state, but can have strong variations in weather. South/eastern and coastal Connecticut has generally milder winters and more of a sea breeze then western Ct. Meaning that inland and western CT will have more snow on average then other parts of the state in the winter, and hotter temperatures in the summer. Compared to 30 years ago winters here are considerably milder; with springs beginning earlier, summers hotter and longer, and autumn extending well into December. For example in the next 10 days temps will be in the 50s.

If coming from California- Thomaston and the hills of western Connecticut will be a dramatic change. Median home prices locally around 250K.