[jerrygarcia]

Any general thoughts on Winsted?
Just trying to get someone's take on the town itself. On the upswing or downturn? What kind of people live there? Schools ok?
Whaddya think?

[skytrekker]

Jerry

I went through Winsted in late 2005. Located in North Western CT-located about 25 miles NW of Hartford on US 44. Cute little town, a supermarket, CVS store, Mc Donald's, non chain Pizza restaurants. New England Main Street. The town is seeing an influx of New Yorkers and others- outside of town the land is very rural.

Ethnically- very Italian, with some old Yankees and Irish. Schools? Not enough information to provide objective data.

[LivinInTheLanding]

I grew up in Lakeville CT about 30 ,miles west of Winsted, I went to comunity college in Winsted. Not a bad place, people were always friendly. Have to go to a movie at the Gilson Theater. Was always a good time.

[Jerry2]

I grew up there during the 50's and 60's. Left there in 73 and never looked back. Small town, small minds, and small people. If you drive there, the best advice I can offer is to keep on going.
Remember what Paul Simon said in the song, "My Little Town" "Nothing but the dead and dying back in my little town." He had to be talking about Winsted.

[mels]

Originally Posted by Jerry2

I grew up there during the 50's and 60's. Left there in 73 and never looked back. Small town, small minds, and small people. If you drive there, the best advice I can offer is to keep on going.
Remember what Paul Simon said in the song, "My Little Town" "Nothing but the dead and dying back in my little town." He had to be talking about Winsted.

I never got that vibe from the town, but I am sure it has changed drastically if you haven't been there in over 30 years. I have never spent a great deal of time there but my job brings me that way once a month or so. Don't have much more to add to sky or Livin's thoughts. It seems like a nice enough place.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Jerry2

I grew up there during the 50's and 60's. Left there in 73 and never looked back. Small town, small minds, and small people. If you drive there, the best advice I can offer is to keep on going.
Remember what Paul Simon said in the song, "My Little Town" "Nothing but the dead and dying back in my little town." He had to be talking about Winsted.

LOL 34 years ago there wasn't the influx of NYers and Berkshire weekenders around like today.

You sound a little like the people you are trying to label...a little "stuck" in the same mindset.

[Jerry2]

Youre certainly entitled to think what you wish. But you didnt grow up there.
For the record, I do get back there from time to time, and very little has changed. My mother still lives there although she was forced to sell the family home. My father, aunt, uncle, and both maternal grandparents are buried in Forest view cemetery. My sister lives in Torrington.
I have no reason to change the way I feel.

[skytrekker]

Jerry2

times change- and so has Winsted- what was then is passed-move on.
Rich New Yorkers, New Jerseyites and others are transforming the northwestern part of the state. That is a fact- what Winsted WAS in your early life has changed. What it was 35 years ago may be an accurate photograph of that time and place. The northwest corner is now considered a very 'hip' place to live. Change happens slow here- but things do change- and the NW corner is now very popular with outsiders- look beyond your family situation.

[JViello]

Then again the statement "Small town, small minds, and small people" about Winsted does fit that Winsted native Ralph Nader pretty well.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by Jerry2

Youre certainly entitled to think what you wish. But you didnt grow up there.
For the record, I do get back there from time to time, and very little has changed. My mother still lives there although she was forced to sell the family home. My father, aunt, uncle, and both maternal grandparents are buried in Forest view cemetery. My sister lives in Torrington.
I have no reason to change the way I feel.

Jerry2,

I have two friends in the town of Winchester--one actually lives in Winsted. They both describe it the way you remember!

F.Y.I. There have been 58 properties that closed since 10/01/2006 with a median price of $189,000. Whereas most of the Northwest corner (Sharon, Salisbury, Kent, Warren, Washington, Litchfield, and Canaan) has been transformed by out-of-staters, the town of Winchester hasn't. It's pretty much the status quo much like Barkhamsted, New Hartford, and Harwinton. (The population hasn't budged in nearly 20 years.)

The town of Winchester has a median household income of $50,000. The towns of Sharon, Salisbury, Kent, Warren, Washington, Litchfield, and Canaan are all above $60,000. Barkhamsted, New Hartford, and Harwinton are all above $72,000. Torrington is $45,000. (All figures rounded.)