[Kingfishers]

We are considering a move from the Boston area to the Hartford area. We have read a lot about the appeal and excellent schools of Simsbury, Avon, Farmington, and West Hartford. However, while we want the best schools we can find and a pleasant town, we really want to avoid very upscale towns where expensive cars and houses mean all, and schools are arenas for cut-throat competition--which sometimes seems to characterize these towns in other threads. Can anyone recommend some good alternatives? We'd prefer more rural than urban; great library and sense of community; cultural activities; and we would be looking at houses in the 350-400 range. Thank you.

[skytrekker]

You might try east of the river-into Tolland county. Bolton, Tolland, Coventry, Stafford Springs are more smallish towns, with libraries, basic shopping, good schools, low crime and a far less competitive materialistic life style.

Plus housing costs are lower--- culture in nearby Manchester & Hartford.

[kidyankee764]

If you're looking for a town that's more down to earth, my suggestion is to stay away from Avon, Simsbury and Glastonbury as they are pretty upscale. West Hartford is too, but not on the same level in my opinion. My suggestion to you is to check out Rocky Hill, Burlington, Granby, South Windsor or Vernon. All are fairly in your price range and more down to earth than the rest of Hartford's suburbs. They are safe rural to suburban towns with very good schools.

[Kingfishers]

Thank you for your responses. I think I could have asked the question more precisely as follows: is it possible to point to a handful of towns the quality of whose schools comes in just under Simsbury-Avon-West Hartford? What are the very best of the next-tier towns as far as schools are concerned? (Preferably west or north of Hartford). Thanks again!

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Kingfishers

Thank you for your responses. I think I could have asked the question more precisely as follows: is it possible to point to a handful of towns the quality of whose schools comes in just under Simsbury-Avon-West Hartford? What are the very best of the next-tier towns as far as schools are concerned? (Preferably west or north of Hartford). Thanks again!

Burlington/Harwinton have an excellent district (Regional District 10) and though they are fairly rural, they're still a short drive from major shopping centers and highways. Also Canton is very nice and is just a step down from Avon and Simsbury. I worked in Canton for a short time and love the town. I'd move there in a heartbeat if my job transferred me to the Hartford area.

[JayCT]

would recommend Granby. It is a very nice semi-rural town northwest of Hartford with very good schools and a lot of what you are looking for. I find the people there to be very nice and there is a lot to do for families. Some of the other suggestions are good too like Burlington and Canton. Jay

[Kingfishers]

Thank you, those suggestions were very helpful. We made it down today to drive through Granby, Simsbury, a bit of Canton--would have liked to have seen Collinsville but didn't; we didn't make it to Burlington. We loved Granby! Does anyone have a sense of the commute times from Granby, Canton, and Burlington respectively into downtown Hartford?

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Kingfishers

Thank you, those suggestions were very helpful. We made it down today to drive through Granby, Simsbury, a bit of Canton--would have liked to have seen Collinsville but didn't; we didn't make it to Burlington. We loved Granby! Does anyone have a sense of the commute times from Granby, Canton, and Burlington respectively into downtown Hartford?

Burlington will be about 25 minutes, add another 10-15 for traffic through Avon. Canton will be about 10 minutes shorter. Granby will be about 25 minutes as well.

All three towns are about the same distance.

[Kingfishers]

Thank you very much for all the information. We appreciate and are processing it!