[Piker]

Originally Posted by RiceCake

We are relocating to CT from NC and are looking at homes. I've heard great things about many of the towns we are looking into, but I thought I'd solicit some feedback regarding our choices... priorities are proximity to the interstate/airport for work, good schools, quiet living, open (minded) and friendly people.

We are looking into: Tolland, Willington, Mansfield, Lebanon, Columbia, Hebron, and Marlborough.

I guess the question I have is this: I'd like to be a part of the community and not an outsider, while still being in a area that will not be overrun by "new coloniel home starting in the 300's" developments.

Any thoughts?

Btw... price range 250-350k, 3br, two kiddos, and a darn cat that I'll give away to the best response.

I know little about Marlborough but being in Hartford County it likely is more yuppie and suburban.

For the rest of the towns, you should know that you will be in a quiet area with not much going and without much choices (where to eat, things to do)....but if you have a family that probably works out fine.

Tolland is a nice town and defintely is not "clicky" but it is losing to some sprawl....I would not call Tolland suburban but I would not call it rural.

Willington is definitely a rural town....it will be longer to find a grocery store...I also do not know what the community residents are like...but it is very pretty.

Mansfield is were UCONN is...so you do have more things there.

Lebanon is a very rural and isolated town what out in eastern CT.

I do not know much about Hebron.


Depending on what you want...go for Tolland or Willington.
I must warn you....the downside to Willington/Mansfield/Lebanon is that they use Charter as their cable provider...and when I moved to CT that was a big reason why I choose Tolland, we get Comcast.
Charter is awful and they stubbornly refuse to not air ANY NY stations....they treat CT as if it was MA.

[adamz]

Mansfield is a nice town. The reservoir is nice for kayaking. Apart from the University, there's relatively little going on here.

One of the reasons that I think it probably should not be on your list is proximity to Bradley. It takes about 50 minutes to get to Bradley, but in part that depends on where exactly you live, and traffic. It can take 15-20 minutes just to get on to I-84. Tolland, on the other hand is located much closer to I-84, and so it's faster to get to the airport, or to the malls in Manchester.

[pulpfiction]

All of the towns you mentioned are solid choices. Tolland is the most proximate to I-84, and puts you within 30 minutes of Bradley. Schools are excellent, and housing prices are among the most reasonable in the state. The town is a mix of rural and suburban.

Willington isn't far from 84 either. It's more rural. I believe Willington students attend one of the regional schools for high school.

Mansfield is further out from 84, but still within 45 minutes of Bradley. Schools are superb (MMS and E.O. Smith are highly rated). Mostly rural, aside from retail along Route 6 and UConn.

Hebron/Marlborough are right along Route 2, so you're within 35 minutes or so of Bradley. Schools are solid--the towns are small, so they share a middle school and a high school with neighboring Andover.

I don't know very much about either Lebanon or Columbia.

Originally Posted by RiceCake

We are relocating to CT from NC and are looking at homes. I've heard great things about many of the towns we are looking into, but I thought I'd solicit some feedback regarding our choices... priorities are proximity to the interstate/airport for work, good schools, quiet living, open (minded) and friendly people.

We are looking into: Tolland, Willington, Mansfield, Lebanon, Columbia, Hebron, and Marlborough.

I guess the question I have is this: I'd like to be a part of the community and not an outsider, while still being in a area that will not be overrun by "new coloniel home starting in the 300's" developments.

Any thoughts?

Btw... price range 250-350k, 3br, two kiddos, and a darn cat that I'll give away to the best response.

[Lowerdeck]

Originally Posted by Piker

I must warn you....the downside to Willington/Mansfield/Lebanon is that they use Charter as their cable provider...and when I moved to CT that was a big reason why I choose Tolland, we get Comcast.
Charter is awful and they stubbornly refuse to not air ANY NY stations....they treat CT as if it was MA.

Comcast is notorious for terrible service, where I've never had too much a problem with Charter.

Just remember: Charter covers much of Windham County in the same group as the Willimantic area. Especially up in Woodstock and Thompson, there's no need for New York stations whatsoever. And the entire region is closer to Boston than New York anyway.

It probably wouldn't go good for them if they shown Channels 2/7/13 New York instead of Channels 4/5/2 Boston, YES and MSG instead of NESN and CSNE, etc...

[JViello]

Originally Posted by RiceCake

Yeah, the property tax caused us some heartburn.

We're driving the towns Tues and Wed. I'll post some updates for anyone who is interested.

Does anyone want to weigh in on Mansfield? Or on the general receptivity to young families from away, good or bad in any of the towns?

Thanks to all.

RC

I like Mansfield - but it's really isolated. You'll be closer to Providence and TF Green airport than anything Hartford. As for the "from away" comment...that's more of a Northern Maine thing, I've really never seen it on any kind of consistent level here.

Piker: You'd be wrong to assume that about Marlborough. It's not "clicky" and "yuppie".

As for cable providers, I think both Charter and Comcast stink. Cox rocks! LOL

[Lowerdeck]

Originally Posted by JViello

I like Mansfield - but it's really isolated. You'll be closer to Providence and TF Green airport than anything Hartford.

Mansfield isolated? Yes. Closer to PVD than BDL? That's easily no. If we were talking about Putnam, then yes.

From "Mansfield, CT" by Google Maps
BDL = 37.2 mi, 51 min
PVD = 55.7 mi, 1 hr 16 min
BOS (for giggles) = 87.1 mi, 1 hr 31 min

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Lowerdeck

Mansfield isolated? Yes. Closer to PVD than BDL? That's easily no. If we were talking about Putnam, then yes.

From "Mansfield, CT" by Google Maps
BDL = 37.2 mi, 51 min
PVD = 55.7 mi, 1 hr 16 min
BOS (for giggles) = 87.1 mi, 1 hr 31 min

Right, sorry for that...I was thinking about Brooklyn. Ooops.

[diane2]

schools- check out Connecticut State Department of Education, select publications, then choose "school profiles", they are listed alphabetically by town, you'll see class size, test scores, per pupil spending, etc. Also, choose contact us, then choose Education directory, then you will see on the left weblinks for all 166 school distrcits. This will give you photos, PTa info etc., then I suggest visiting the school.

[RiceCake]

We chose Mansfield...

We liked the rural feel, the numerous preserves and parks, the proximity to the Univ. of CT and Eastern CT, and the diversity of the residents. We also got a great deal on the house we wanted.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[JayCT]

Congratulations Ricecake. Mansfield is a beautiful town. Jay