[SmallTownFan]

We are looking for a town with a rural feel within a 30 minute commute to East Hartford, CT. Good schools are very, very important to us. We are hoping to find a four bedroom house on at least two acres with lots of privacy for $400k or less. Is this possible anywhere near East Hartford?

[skytrekker]

Smalltownfan

you are very much in luck;

There are in fact many towns east of you into Tolland county that may fit your needs. All are 30 minutes commute time.

Check into Tolland,Andover, Stafford Springs, Bolton, Coventry, Willington, Somers (to the north) Ellington. All these towns vary from about 5000, 12,000 population. There is a semi suburban/rural feel in Ellington, while the others offer a small town to a very rural atmosphere.

Schools vary by town in their educational approach - but these town have good to very schools. Perhaps others can give you more in the way of exact information.

All towns are relatively close to I 84- or in the case o=f Somers route 5 and I 91. Each town will have close proximity to shopping, with some towns having small shopping plaza's with Supermarkets and shops like the Big Y in Tolland.

Manchester with its huge Mall, South Windsors upscale Evergreen Walk are a half hour away.

Finding a home with 3-4 bedrooms-- A new colonial in fact with a private lot with fireplace, double garage on 2 acres will run between 320-399K; well within your budget-

good luck and success

[JayCT]

There are a lot of towns that fit your criteria east of the river. Skytreker named a few. I might also add Hebron to the list. Very good schools, beautiful countryside and reasonably priced homes. Bolton and Andover are also nice as well as Columbia. Good luck with your search. Jay

[mels]

I would add Marlborough to the list as well. That's where I live and I love it here. It is a quiet town (one traffic light, 2 gas stations, strict zoning to keep store lights/signs from looking gaudy, etc.) but everything you need is a short drive away.

[sunshinecities]

All of the responses above are great. Yes, you are in luck - many great places. I love Marlborough - small pretty town. Hebron has lots of places too.

[SmallTownFan]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Smalltownfan
Check into Tolland,Andover, Stafford Springs, Bolton, Coventry, Willington, Somers (to the north) Ellington.

Thanks for the responses. I will look into these towns that skytrekker mentioned, as well as the others that were recommended: Hebron, Columbia, and Marlborough.

If anyone can comment specifically on the public schools in these places, I would appreciate it. Please mention positives and negatives. At this point, we are most concerned about the elementary schools, since our oldest is six.

Thanks!

[uconn99]

I would look into Columbia. The town has a great Lake, close to shoping in either Manchester or Willimantic and has 1 really good school which covers grades K-8. High school options are either Windham High or Lyman High in Lebanon.

[mels]

I only know about the Marlborough schools since that's where I live. Marlborough has one school, an elementary school, then kids go to RHAM (Regional Hebron, Andover & Marlborough) for middle school and then on to the high school. Obviously since these towns are small, they do regional middle and high schools since each town doesn't have the need for its own HS or middle school.

The elementary school is very well regarded here, people that I know are very happy with it. They did a big upgrade/expansion not that long ago to the school.

[joojoobii]

I especially like somers. It made the list of most ideal places to live in the U.S. It has a wonderful school system and it's a beautiful town, especially during autumn when all the leaves are changing colors. It just has such New England charm.

[bluecountry]

Isn't Stafford kinda rednickey?