[transplantct]

Well, it finally looks like our move is definite. My husband will be attending UConn in the fall.

The towns we're looking to move into are Storrs, Mansfield, Coventry, Willington, Columbia, and Tolland.

I never got too familiar with the area while I was there. So, I wanted to know if any of these towns have "bad" areas. I know Mansfield has a correctional facility. Are the properties in that area less desirable? Is there a safety concern?

I'm assuming that the rest of the towns I mentioned may not have bad areas, but I wouldn't know for sure.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[nspa]

hey there.. we just went through the same thing so if you want, you DM me and i'll share what we learned. this forum was very helpful as well. by the way, mansfield is VERY popular because of the proximity to Uconn and the school system.

[ctcoldplay11]

Originally Posted by transplantct

Well, it finally looks like our move is definite. My husband will be attending UConn in the fall.

The towns we're looking to move into are Storrs, Mansfield, Coventry, Willington, Columbia, and Tolland.

I never got too familiar with the area while I was there. So, I wanted to know if any of these towns have "bad" areas. I know Mansfield has a correctional facility. Are the properties in that area less desirable? Is there a safety concern?

I'm assuming that the rest of the towns I mentioned may not have bad areas, but I wouldn't know for sure.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Out of the towns you've listed, your best bet would be either Coventry or Tolland. The other towns you've mentioned are ok, Storrs isn't much of a town, really just a continuation of the UCONN campus so I'd suggest not considering it in your search. Mansfield is also an average town, but since Storrs is located within it, it can get crazy at times when UCONN is in full swing, however Mansfield does boast a great highschool (E.O. Smith) which is a popular draw to the town.

Willington and Columbia are both EXTREMELY small, with close to nothing going on...I'd only consider these two towns if you are looking for an extremely rural and bucolic atmosphere.

Tolland and Coventry are both medium-sized towns that are beautiful and worth looking into. Tolland is dare I say it-more "upscale" than Coventry is, as Coventry gives me a more middle-class town feel. However both towns are just as nice as each other. Both have limited commercial sprawl which gives it a small-town atmosphere but still has plenty of amentities. Good luck on your seach, and hope this helps!

[transplantct]

Thanks, that helps a lot!

[salinacj]

Hi there,

Storrs is part of Mansfield, so if you live in Storrs, you live in Mansfield. The prison is minimum security, on part of the old Mansfield Training School campus. You should have no worries on this. UConn also uses other part of this same campus for various activities.

If you have children that will be attending the public schools, I would lean towards Mansfield, as this has the best school system of the towns listes.

As stated above, Willington and Columbia are both small towns, nothing really there. Tolland is a nice town, I guess you could say it is a little more 'urban' than the others listed, but still is a small New England Town. Coventry is also nice, has a good size lake in town, and more than a few cows!! (you can say this about all the towns)

All these towns are in the same area of Connecticut, so are really not all that different. Tolland Coventry and Willingotn are closest to any highways. Mansfield has the best school system of all

[uconn99]

I have to disagree about Columbia. While the town may be small (aprox 5,000 people), it is 20 minutes into Manchester and 10 minutes into Willimantic for shopping and dinning options. The town itself has a decent employement base for the size.

Columbia Lake is one of the nicest lakes in Connecticut IMO with a town beach and houses surrounding the lake. The lake is good size and offers plenty of recreation all times of the year.

I would look into Columbia before Willington and overall Columbia is nicer than Coventry IMO with better houses to choose from and better overall feel.

The town has one large school (k-8) which is good. Columbia sends high school students to Windham or Lebanon.

[uctalum01]

when I lived off campus my last 2yrs at UConn I technically lived in Willington, but I was just over the line from Mansfield (you never even knew you were leaving Mansfield, honestly). I think it depends on where in Willington you go as to how remote and rural it is. My apartment was literally 5min off campus. I had no problem being in Willington. I didn't feel any more secluded where I was than I did being on campus. I'd imagine if you were further north it'd seem more secluded, but if you're closer to 195 like I was it's not too bad. Unfortunately I can't speak for schools, but I had no problem with Willington.

[hoppybunn]

I lived in Storrs (which is a township within Mansfield) for a few years (moved my senior year of high school and went to UConn) and it's a nice place to live. It's a pretty peaceful place, not a lot of crime (like you'll get in willimantic) and there's some things to do (more people compared to Ashford or Willington). As far as the prision goes it's on Rt 44 and is across from the Uconn Depot campus and is only minimum security. And about school systems what everyone else is saying is right, Mansfield has the best school systems. Ashford's school system (and maybe Willington's) is very small, just one school k-8, high school is E.O. Smith High School and it incorporates students from the towns of Mansfield, Ashford, and Willington but is located in Storrs, right next to the Uconn campus. So if you ever plan on having kids in high school in the area, I would highly recommend E.O. Smith because they have the co-op program where students can actually take classes at Uconn while they are in high school and get college credit.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by hoppybunn

I lived in Storrs (which is a township within Mansfield)...

No, not "township." That's one definition that does not exist here (see Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin). Storrs is a hamlet or village within the town of Mansfield.

[shannaCT]

I grew up in Ashford, and attended EO Smith...
Have you ever considered Ashford?

As far as proximity, I would think Columbia might be a little far. Coventry's nicer areas may be a little on the far side, also.

But in general, I would gladly live in any of these towns.