[coffeebean1]

My husband and I just moved to CT from the West Coast last year. Neither of us grew up here, nor do we have family here, so we have a long way to come in learning about the area. We want to buy a home by year's end and are seeking suggestions on where to scout.

Important on our list:
Homes available in the $300k range, with at least 1,700 square feet and a little bit of land
No more than 45 minutes from Hartford
Quaint town - not a series of strip malls. Preferably a "cute" downtown with a coffee shop (I love my java), a decent restaurant(s), and a wine bar would be really nice - but I may be pushing my luck
Decent schools (we have a child that will be entering school in a few years)
We're outdoorsy, liberal types and want to live in a community where we are not outsiders

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[willow wind]

I'd suggest looking in Colchester.

You can get probably get a house on 1-2 acres or so, there is a Starbucks, a beautiful New England town green, local shops, some restaurants, although no upscale or trendy shopping, movie theater, good schools, a satellite clinic of a local hospital, stuff for kids to do.

It's an a decent commute into Hartford via CT Rt 2. Lots of people do that commute. I think you'd find it a good combination of country with suburban conveniences and without being remote. Lots of young families in town too as the town is growing.

Forget the wine bar. But we do have several wineries in the area with wine tastings and such that you can visit.

You'll fit in, CT is pretty laid back. Colchester has plenty of outdoor activities with state parks, ponds and forests in the area.

[Capital Guy]

Essex

[ctcoldplay11]

Originally Posted by coffeebean1

My husband and I just moved to CT from the West Coast last year. Neither of us grew up here, nor do we have family here, so we have a long way to come in learning about the area. We want to buy a home by year's end and are seeking suggestions on where to scout.

Important on our list:
Homes available in the $300k range, with at least 1,700 square feet and a little bit of land
No more than 45 minutes from Hartford
Quaint town - not a series of strip malls. Preferably a "cute" downtown with a coffee shop (I love my java), a decent restaurant(s), and a wine bar would be really nice - but I may be pushing my luck
Decent schools (we have a child that will be entering school in a few years)
We're outdoorsy, liberal types and want to live in a community where we are not outsiders

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Colchester fits this bill quite nicely. You could certainly find a very nice home in that price range. Commute to Hartford? 25-35 minutes depending on what part of town you live in, with convenient access to Route 2. If you don't want to drive, the CT Transit bus route stops at three locations in Colchester. Town is built around its center; beautiful town green, a little market, few restaurants, wellness center, etc. Only dedicated coffee shop is Starbucks, which is directly in the center. No wine bar, but as willowwind pointed out, Priam Vineyards is in town, a renowned winery on the CT Wine Trail and winner of many international awards. Lots of events in the summer for wine tastings, etc. Lots of nice restaurants in town (NuNu's Bistro, Cafe Mangia, Ichiban Asian Bistro, Gilbertie's, Plum Tomato, Illiano's, Family Pizza, Ted's Bistro). Schools are great. Lots of outdoor activities (Salmon River and Day Pond State Parks are in town) as is the Airline Trail, a beautiful bike/walk pathway that cuts through the CT countryside. Gay City, Devil's Hopyard and Gillette's Castle State Parks are all nearby as well. Hope this helps!

[nep321]

I would also consider New Hartford. It's 40 min. from Hartford, is quiet and rural and has a VERY quaint downtown with less traffic and commotion than Colchester. It has a few restaurants in the center and a tea/coffee shop. It's more outdoorsy than Colchester or Essex IMO. Major shopping is in the adjacent city of Torrington.

[nico7]

I think Colchester is a very fitting suggestion. Maybe also Lebanon, but I don't know it as well -- probably a sleepier town. Colchester is very peaceful though, you shouldn't have any concerns about that...

[RogerAnthony]

x2 on New Hartford.

[Stylo]

Top choices for what you describe (rural+outdoor activities+walkable centers with coffee, good restaurants, etc):
Litchfield
Chester
Essex

Runners up:
Canton/Collinsville
New Hartford
East Haddam
Norfolk (although pushing past 45 minutes if you're not a fast driver)

Those would be my choices.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Top choices for what you describe (rural+outdoor activities+walkable centers with coffee, good restaurants, etc):
Litchfield

But Litchfield is probably out of the OP's price range and further than 45 minutes from Hartford.

I also endorse Colchester. It has the best bakery in the area.

[MikefromCT]

I think the Collinsville section of Canton would be a good fit - a small, quaint area with pubs, coffee houses and shops. A bit of an artsy, bohemian, liberal vibe. The architecture is nice too - everything from Victorian era houses to loft-style condos in what used to be old warehouses that got rehabbed into residential housing. It's only about 15 miles west of Hartford and it's a pretty area.
This site may be of interest to you. Check out the photo gallery and local businesses page: CollinsvilleCT.org - A guide to one the country's most beautiful and coolest small towns

I'm going out on a limb here, but IMO Simsbury may also work. If you're an outdoorsy type, there's tons to do here - hiking trails, immense parks, a few ponds where people canoe in the summer, golf courses, Talcott Mountain and Hueblein Tower (a must-see in the fall) and a nice downtown area on Hopmeadow Street that's on the NRHP. It can be expensive, but it's not impossible to find a house for $300k and the schools are top-notch. Two towns away from Hartford, too.

I'm sure the other suggestions you've gotten are great, but I know little about these areas otherwise I'd chime in.