[jackjenmom]

My husband and I and two school-aged children are planning to move within the next year and have narrowed our search to Suffield or Simsbury. I know that Simsbury schools are top rated, but how much better are they than Suffield's? Also, what can you tell me about the social climate in each town in terms of friendliness/snobbery, family orientation, etc. Thanks.

[KH02]

I am from Suffield Originally, grew up their, went to school their a LOVED it. Compared to simsbury it is a smaller hometown feel where everyone know everyone which is one of the things i love about it. It's easy access to the higway thru windsor locks or enfield, 10 min from the enfield mall and has a Highland Park Market in town for shopping as well as CVS, subway etc. I dont think you could go wrong with suffield. Simsbury to me is much larger then suffield and further from everything (malls, highway) The schools are rated better in Simsbury BUT Suffield has a brand new high school which is beautiful and renovated their other schools recently. The sports programs are good as well.
I would say Suffield may not be rated as high by statistics etc, but it is a wonderful school system and an even better town.

Any questions? Feel free to DM me!

[tryingCT]

I have relatives in Suffield. Such a pretty town and my cousins have turned out fine through their school district going to good colleges. Suffield is an old tobacco town, lots of new developments have gone up in the last 5 - 10 years on large open fields. Both towns have an 'old' feel to it.

Suffield in the last 10 years or so has risen up to people slowly trying to find new places to settle down that are a little cheaper than Simsbury, Avon, Farmington, and West Hartford. Keep in mind also in Suffield of where you look to buy a house. One of the main roads during the summer time is heavily traveled on from people going the back way to 6 Flags (old Riverside was way better) in the neighboring town in Taxachusettes.

Snobbery? Well you just don't see that anywhere in CT :-)
I think any town has their share of snobs. I can't say much on Simsbury, my only experience with the town was playing them in soccer growing up as a Farmington kid. I think, but maybe just assuming, Suffield may be a little slower in terms of lifestyle then Simsbury...which may translate into less 'snobbery'.

Oh, Suffield has farms...with horses...and horses come with smells...especially on a hot summer day...just fyi.

[glxyman21]

Suffield is a nice town, and will offer a more rural feeling and is a smaller community population wise than Simsbury. One thing to take note is that a lot of Suffield is under flight paths of planes landing at Bradley Airport. I think the town requires it is noted in the deed if the house is under such a path. Simsbury is a traditional suburb with rural parts. There is a lot of shopping options in Simsbury as well in Avon where a lot of the big box stores are. Canton, next to Simsbury, is also expanding retail. Simsbury is a more upscale town than Suffield so it might translate to more competition. Both towns are good, Suffield is cheaper in price though.

[WILWRadio]

Simsbury is my hometown. I'd recommend either place. My older sister and her first husband lived in Suffield for several years and I always liked visiting the place. The pace of life in Suffield will be a bit slower than Simsbury. But be aware you are close to Bradley International Airport and you could easily wind up hearing noise from planes in some areas. In Simsbury you will too but the planes typically are at a higher altitude when passing over Simsbury. Simsbury has more shopping choices than Suffield but Suffield is next to Enfield which has a more than ample supply of retail outlets.

I suspect the Simsbury schools have slipped a bit since I graduated. The best minds in my class went to the Ivy League Schools, MIT, etc. In recent years I understand the top graduates are not making it to the very best universities and colleges. You should check with Simsbury High School to find out where the graduates are going to college.