[gdrut30]

I'm exploring a job opportunity in the Rocky Hill area and wanted some suggestions on where to live, commute time/traffic, local taxes, schools, etc in the areas south and/or west of Hartford. We currently live in Austin, TX but are both originally from upstate NY. I'm familiar with the northeast climate (looking forward to spring and fall, not so much with winter), and my wife is in the financial world, so I think its likely that she will find a position somewhere near downtown. We're looking for something in the $250-$450K range, that is a fairly equal commute (or nothing more than 30-45 minutes). We don't have kids but they are in the plans for the near future, so school districts would also be important. In general, we'd prefer as rural as possible within a commutable distance. Any suggestions?

[JayCT]

It does depend on what you are looking for. In your price range you could get anywhere from a modest starter home (small cape or ranch) to a decent mid-sized colonial (around 2,000 square feet).

I would recommend living south of Hartford. Towns like Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Newington or Cromwell are very nice and have good schools. There are a lot of good shopping and restaurant options in this are and they are all convenient to Hartford as well. Hope this helps. Jay

[gdrut30]

What would the commute be from the places you mentioned to downtown during rush hour? Less than 30 minutes? And are any of those options more rural than others?

[skytrekker]

As Jay suggested in the towns above, the commute time from Wethersfield into Rocky Hill would take several minutes. To Newington around 15-20 minutes depending on traffic and weather, while Cromwell about 20-25 minutes. Travel would either be on I 91, Route 15/The Berlin Tpke, or Silas Dean Hwy.

Cromwell is perhaps semi rural/suburban. Newington and Wethersfield are 'standard' suburban towns around 30,000 people, although Wethersfield has an historic section dating from 1634, which is very charming. Rocky Hill has under 20,000, as does Cromwell.

[gdrut30]

Is there any substantial difference in the quality of schools between those towns?

And how far south could one live and still have the downtown area commutable at rush hour in about 45 minutes?

And thanks for all the help thus far. I'm actually going to be in the area next week and will do some driving around in the areas you've mentioned.

[skytrekker]

The public schools for the most part are equal. Rocky Hill and Cromwell may have a tiny advantage-Jay might have concrete data on this.

For a 45 minute commute one way south, also consider east over the Connecticut river into rural towns like Marlborough (very pleasant) also South Glastonbury. Further south Durham and Middlefield are small, but growing semi rural towns.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by gdrut30

Is there any substantial difference in the quality of schools between those towns?

And how far south could one live and still have the downtown area commutable at rush hour in about 45 minutes?

And thanks for all the help thus far. I'm actually going to be in the area next week and will do some driving around in the areas you've mentioned.

Traffic into downtown Hartford is not great during rush hour but it is nothing like other cities either. Any of the towns I mentioned south of hartford would get you into downtown within 30 minutes or less door-to-door.

As for schools, of the town mentioned, all are above the state average in the Connecticut Mastery Test scores and have reasonable class sizes. Rocky Hill has the best test scores followed by Cromwell, Newington and Wethersfield.

If schools are a top concern, then consider crossing the river into Glastonbury which has one of the best school systems in the area. You would still be within 30 minutes to downtown and less than 20 minutes to Rocky Hill. Homes are pricer in Glastonbury than the other towns but you can still get a nice home in the middle to upper prices in your range. Jay

[gdrut30]

Is there a substantial difference in tax rates among that group of towns? Do you know of a site that I can go to to look at tax information?

And how difficult is traffic over the river? I'm assuming that rush hour wouldn't be great.

And finally, what is the plan with Adrian's Landing? What is it supposed to look like when complete, and what will be included with it? I've heard about it, but can't seem to find any good websites.

[JViello]

Few things...

1. I can get to NEW HAVEN from Rocky Hill in 45 minutes. LOL You can get across our state top to bottom in an hour.

2. Believe it or not, commuting across the river to I91 is not a problem trafficwise aside from an occasional minor back up on the 91N to 84E exit ramp. You will use what's call the "fly-over" that avoids DT Hartford. (But you do get a nice skyline view from the bridge. )

3. Adriens Landing. It really consists of many projects together such as the convention center, science center, riverfront park etc which many are already done.

The last piece of the puzzle is the "front street" part which is likened to Beale Street in Memphis when finished.

CCEDA - Adriaen's Landing

Hartford History: Adriaen's Landing

::: Connecticut Science Center

Connecticut Convention Center

[skytrekker]

The commute west of the river (Rocky Hill) to east of the river is easily done at the Putnam bridge from Wethersfield to Glastonbury Via I 91 to CT route 2. Easy and a few minutes from Rocky Hill TO Glastonbury and east.