[ackack]

[SIZE=3]Hello everyone – [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]A while back, I initially posted the following info regarding a move to CT. Since then, I’ve accepted a position in Hartford and my wife is working in Windsor. I’ve received excellent feedback regarding the various areas based on our criteria below. We have looked at Granby, Simsbury, Avon, Farmington, West Hartford, and Glastonbury. Of these, we currently prefer Simsbury, Avon, and Glastonbury. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]However, I wanted to ask for feedback on Middlesex County. Are there any towns that would still meet the criteria in my initial post below? I’ve heard wonderful things about Essex and Old Saybrook, but fear these might be too far of a commute to Hartford and Windsor. What about Middletown - too much of a college town or would you consider this to be similar to Burlington, VT or Northampton, MA? Are there any additional towns that have a coastal feel? Or, am I better off sticking w/ the Farmington Valley towns to meet my criteria below? Many thanks![/SIZE]
My wife and I both lived in Boston for several years, and are eager to make the move back to New England. That said, we haven't really been to CT...Only a weekend in Madison. We're true New Englanders and would prefer to find a town that does have a 'new england feel'. If it helps, I think our ideal city would be very similar to Burlington, VT, Shelburne, VT, Portland, ME, Kennebunkport, ME, Marblehead MA, or Hingham, MA

We're both in our early 30's, and would like to have kids in a couple of years. We're both very active; enjoy canoeing, sailing, attending concerts, sox games, play squash & lacrosse, take trips to VT, ME, MV, ACK etc.

Are you able to recommend some areas based on the following?

- Price Range: up to $450k
- commute less than 45 mins to Windsor, CT
- be able to walk or short drive to restaurants, bars, brew pubs, coffee shops
- area with grocery and or box stores
- prefer young families / young professionals
- safe area (able to park on street w/out having to worry about break ins)
- exc schools/sports programs

[KH02]

Why live in middlesex county to commute to Hartford and Windsor when you could like in the Farmington Valley and have a shorter commute for both of you?

[willow wind]

Essex and Old Saybrook are much too, too far to commute to Windsor and are a diifficult commute to Hartford. Traffic can be horrible and any bad weather or fender bender will have you sitting on the highway with long delays.

Middletown schools underperform. The town is nothing like Burlington or North
hampton. There is a nice area of restaurants bars along a short section of Main St. However, it is but 4 blocks or so long and once you've seen it, well you've seen it.

For a walkable downtown area you can't beat West Hartford. Your work is going to keep you based in north central CT. Make your life easy and stick to the Farmington Valley or Glastonbury. Even look in Suffield, which is very charming for New England atmosphere, although it doesn't have the walkable shopping/restaurant section. You don't want to spend your life fighting traffic.


Good luck

[JayCT]

I agree that Essex and Old Saybrook are too far from Hartford and Windsor. I also think you should stick to the towns you are looking in. The Farmington Valley is beautiful and charming and is one of the more desirable areas to live in greater Hartford. The towns there meet all of your criteria and the commute to Windsor and Hartford would be less than 45 minutes. Glastonbury too would fit your criteria. It is up to you which would work best for you. Jay