[kykatsmom]

Just curious what the lifestyle/demographic/crime rate and schools are like in Torrington. also how the traffic is heading south on 8 to Naugatuck.
Thanks!

[kykatsmom]

what about shopiing? malls, grocery stores...I don't mind having to travel a little, but not exactly looking to be in the middl eof NOWHERE!

[JViello]

Torrington is an "okay" smaller city a bit removed from the rest of the state which can be a good or bad thing depending on what you want.

The DT area has been reinventing itself with a lot of plans etc and is a decent place. Not the best, not the worst IMO. Some parts of the city are still run down, some are nice.

There are major grocery stores in the city and surrounding area. Heading on RT 202 East you will get the Home Depot/Walmart etc strip malls a few minutes outside the city.

If you keep heading East about 15 minute drive you will get into Canton and the Avon area which is a very upscale burb of Hartford with shopping galore.

http://riverdalefarmsshopping.com is the first you will come upon about 15 minutes East of Torrington and then http://www.theshoppesatfarmingtonvalley.com another mile or two down the road.

Then http://avonmarketplace.com another few miles East

And another couple miles East http://www.oldavonvillage.com

To the South you have the historic town of Litchefield (10 minute drive maybe?) with it's boutiques, restaurants etc in a picture perfect New England setting.



http://www.litchfieldct.com
http://www.litchfieldhills.com/app/index.jsp
http://www.explorenewengland.com/tra..._go_litchfield

Your backyard will also be the Litchfield Hills and all the splendor that is contained such as Kent and Kent Falls, West Cornwalls covered bridge, Limerock Park (Victorian Lady of race tracks) Mohawk Mtn, etc etc.

Good luck!

Oh and Traffic into Naugatuck doesn't exist.

[JayCT]

The east side of Torrington (also know as Torringford) is booming but the old line industries (many the Torrington Company and the remnants of it) have left the city so it is becoming a service center and commuting town (south into Waterbury and east to the Farmington Valley suburbs of Hartford). There are a lot of newer affordable homes being built there and a number of shopping centers have been constructed along Route 202. There is a new Target being built there and a new Stop & Shop will be coming next year (they need one last approval from the State). I believe the schools are okay and I found that there are a lot of very nice people here. Depending on your budget, there are a number of nicer towns around the area, but for those with a limited budget, it can be a good choice. Jay

[Back Home]

They Get Some Severe Snow Going Up That Way,but It's A Nice Area. Route 8 Traffic South Is Tough Sometimes In Commutes Morning And Night But It's Ok Just Leave Extra Time For Travel. Watertown Is Nice And Thomaston Too!!

[jeremeyk482]

Originally Posted by Back Home

They Get Some Severe Snow Going Up That Way,but It's A Nice Area. Route 8 Traffic South Is Tough Sometimes In Commutes Morning And Night But It's Ok Just Leave Extra Time For Travel. Watertown Is Nice And Thomaston Too!!

There is barely any traffic going south on Route 8 from Torrington to Waterbury. It might slow down in Waterbury during the rush, but even then, I doubt it. Route 8 between Naugatuck and Bridgeport, however, is a different story.

You can find nicer communities than Torrington. It's pretty removed from things as the nearest large cities are Hartford and Waterbury. Have you checked out Thomaston? It's about 20 minutes closer to Waterbury than Torrington is and has nicer neighborhoods without the high price of nearby towns like Litchfield and Watertown.