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Old 07-21-2007, 05:02 AM
 
10 posts, read 39,296 times
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Hi, my wife and I are both 64 years old; we are retired and would like to move from the Washington DC area to possibly the Farmington area. As a child I was born and raised in Bristol Ct. We love the atmosphere and environment of Ct. I remember Farmington as a charming and delightful small town -- we want to get away from the "city" environment of Washington DC -- Is Farmington still as charming? any ideas? -- We are looking for housing in the neighborhood of 375,000 to 450,000 -- does this sound reasonable or possible -- any suggestions welcome.
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Old 07-21-2007, 05:34 AM
 
Location: Tolland County- Northeastern CT
4,462 posts, read 7,981,863 times
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Farmington is still a very attractive and very desirable town to live in west of Hartford. However it has grown much in the last 20 years. It remains a rather 'posh' enclave, that remains the home of the University of Connecticut Hospital and several corporations. The hospital is planning to expand dramatically.

The Main street has not changed much, however, with 'Ms. Porters' School nearby.

The population today is over 24,000. Housing prices will be among the highest in metro Hartford- but still considerably lower for a town of similar attributes in greater Washington. Housing varies; from townhouses, to age restricted condos/semi attached homes to larger homes. Some really nice 55+ semi attached homes and condo's at around 299-400K are being built. However a decent home, can still be found for 350K and up.

Also consider Canton, Burlington and Simsbury- which remain somewhat more sedate- and will remind you of what Farmington was 30 years ago.

Also consider east of Hartford in Tolland county- very popular now- and the states fastest growing county. More sedate then Farmington, less traffic, and housing prices that are lower. The states so called eastern 'Quiet Corner' which was 'trashed' 20 years ago, is now perhaps now a desired place for newcomers.

Last edited by skytrekker; 07-21-2007 at 05:57 AM..
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Old 07-21-2007, 09:29 AM
 
Location: Connecticut
34,754 posts, read 56,576,349 times
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RudyJ - you should be able to find a modest home in Farmington for the price you want to spend. Farmington is one of the areas more desireable suburbs and is pricey. It has excellent schools and a lot of great shopping, restaurants and parks. I will warn you though that traffic is pretty bad on Route 4 through Farmington Center. Many homes have been built west of the Farmington River and the only direct route to them from I-84 is Route 4 through Farmington Center. Traffic backs up from Route 10 to I-84 every day, even Sundays. It can be annoying. The State has proposed widening the road to improve traffic flow but the local residents have refused to agree because they don't want change. There are many other communities in the area which will provide you with the same "New England" feel in your price range. Those that skytrekker mention are all good too. Good luck and welcome to Connecticut. Jay
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Old 07-21-2007, 12:52 PM
 
Location: Cheshire, Conn.
2,102 posts, read 7,737,417 times
Reputation: 539
Quote:
Originally Posted by RudyJ View Post
Hi, my wife and I are both 64 years old; we are retired and would like to move from the Washington DC area to possibly the Farmington area. As a child I was born and raised in Bristol Ct. We love the atmosphere and environment of Ct. I remember Farmington as a charming and delightful small town -- we want to get away from the "city" environment of Washington DC -- Is Farmington still as charming? any ideas? -- We are looking for housing in the neighborhood of 375,000 to 450,000 -- does this sound reasonable or possible -- any suggestions welcome.
Hi RudyJ,

Here's a summary of the single-family properties currently available in Farmington (including Unionville):

2 - Under $200,000
8 - Between $200,000 - $249,999
12- Between $250,000 - $299,999
14- Between $300,000 - $349,999
17- Between $350,000 - $399,999
14- Between $400,000 - $449,999
16- Between $450,000 - $499,999
6 - Between $500,000 - $549,999
4 - Between $550,000 - $599,999
1 - Between $600,000 - $649,999
4 - Between $650,000 - $699,999
5 - Between $700,000 - $749,999
3 - Between $750,000 - $799,999
3 - Between $800,000 - $849,999
5 - Between $850,000 - $899,999
1 - Between $900,000 - $949,999
4 - Between $950,000 - $999,999
24- Over $1,000,000

Median = $475,000
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Old 07-22-2007, 04:39 AM
 
10 posts, read 39,296 times
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Default A couple of more questions Farmington and Thereabouts!!

Your information is most helpful thank you. I was wondering, you mentioned Tolland County -- which cities/towns are in Tolland County? Also, you mentioned 55+ communities -- are there any you know of that are single family homes in the alternative areas to Farmington that you mentioned?

Quote:
Originally Posted by skytrekker View Post
Farmington is still a very attractive and very desirable town to live in west of Hartford. However it has grown much in the last 20 years. It remains a rather 'posh' enclave, that remains the home of the University of Connecticut Hospital and several corporations. The hospital is planning to expand dramatically.

The Main street has not changed much, however, with 'Ms. Porters' School nearby.

The population today is over 24,000. Housing prices will be among the highest in metro Hartford- but still considerably lower for a town of similar attributes in greater Washington. Housing varies; from townhouses, to age restricted condos/semi attached homes to larger homes. Some really nice 55+ semi attached homes and condo's at around 299-400K are being built. However a decent home, can still be found for 350K and up.

Also consider Canton, Burlington and Simsbury- which remain somewhat more sedate- and will remind you of what Farmington was 30 years ago.

Also consider east of Hartford in Tolland county- very popular now- and the states fastest growing county. More sedate then Farmington, less traffic, and housing prices that are lower. The states so called eastern 'Quiet Corner' which was 'trashed' 20 years ago, is now perhaps now a desired place for newcomers.
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Old 07-22-2007, 04:41 AM
 
10 posts, read 39,296 times
Reputation: 12
Thank you for the information. Skytrekker mentioned that there were some 55+ communities that were really nice --- do you have any information on those? Names of communities etc. --
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Old 07-22-2007, 04:44 AM
 
10 posts, read 39,296 times
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Thanks for the reply -- really helpful to get your perspective -- I must say, after you experience traffic jams and traffic bogdown in the Washington DC area during traffic area, anything else has to be heaven!! -- But I understand what you are saying.
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Old 07-22-2007, 05:21 AM
 
Location: Tolland County- Northeastern CT
4,462 posts, read 7,981,863 times
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RudyJ

55+ Communities are perhaps the fastest growing in Connecticut- we have one of the 'oldest' on average populations.

In Farmington there are four communities- single family homes 55+
Hopmeadow Place 250K and up
Chimney Hill 500K and up
Edgewood Estates, 300K and up
O'Meara Farm no info available

In Tolland county in Vernon
Lantern Lane (very nice semi attached) central location from 250K
The Villas at Mapleview, Single family 250K

In Tolland
Village at Crystal Springs free standing condos $300's

also in South Windsor
Strawberry Fields single family mid 350Kand up

Hope this information helps-
there are many 55+ active adult townhouses/ranches in the Hartford area.
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Old 07-22-2007, 11:19 AM
 
Location: Connecticut
572 posts, read 2,084,806 times
Reputation: 249
Quote:
Originally Posted by RudyJ View Post
Hi, my wife and I are both 64 years old; we are retired and would like to move from the Washington DC area to possibly the Farmington area. As a child I was born and raised in Bristol Ct. We love the atmosphere and environment of Ct. I remember Farmington as a charming and delightful small town -- we want to get away from the "city" environment of Washington DC -- Is Farmington still as charming? any ideas? -- We are looking for housing in the neighborhood of 375,000 to 450,000 -- does this sound reasonable or possible -- any suggestions welcome.
Hi Rudy, welcome back to CT.

There are numerous 55+ communities popping up all over Connecticut now. I'm not sure if you were interested in checking out western Connecticut, but the Village at Oxford Greens is a very charming 'Active-Adult' community about 20 minutes west of Waterbury (about 55 minutes from Hartford). Skytrekker suggested more rural towns to mimic what Farmington was like years ago, and I think you can add Oxford into that mix. It's a rural community of about 12,000 (well, considered rural for Connecticut, but is actually classified as suburban). Many of those living here are from NYC, Westchester County and lower Fairfield County and have discovered the 'reasonable' prices in the Oxford area. My great-aunt just bought a home here and loves it - she says the people are friendly, always willing to help and very community oriented. Still, one of the 3br homes in the community will list for around $500k and up. There are cheaper options if you do like the area, such as Meadowbrook on Great Hill in Oxford or Heritage Village in Southbury (has an average age that is much older than that of Oxford Greens and Meadowbrook). Surely, prices will be cheaper as you go east of Hartford.

There are a few 55+ communities in lower Fairfield County but the prices are outrageous so I wont even list them.

Good luck
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Old 07-22-2007, 11:30 AM
 
Location: Tolland County- Northeastern CT
4,462 posts, read 7,981,863 times
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Tolland County includes the town of Tolland.

Stafford Springs has a 55 plus community (Tolland county)
Isabella's CT single family homes starting at 199K
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