[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by mbenay

Thanks for the responses. I didn't mean to suggest that we're looking only in Northwest Connecticut. As long as the commute to the Torrington area is not much more than 1 hour, the location would qualify on our "search" list. Three areas of West Hartford are on our list -- West Hartford Center, Bishops Corner, and Elmwood. So is the Amity section of New Haven and the north end of Bridgeport.

All of these areas are nice, walkable neighborhoods worth looking into. They all have business districts on the main roads that a person can access without a car. You may also like the Park Road area as well.

JayCT had suggested Collinsville. I think thisis a great suggestion. It would defnitely be a shorter drive to Torrington, but I agree that it's much smaller in comparison for what it offers. Still, it's a really nice area.

Good luck!

[Henry10]

Another option would be to buy a larger home, closer to the town center, in Torrinton, or even in Winsted. The commute from West Hartford would get old fast, and I just don't see that benefits outweigh the cost. It's not like WH is a NY or Boston or even a New Haven.

[formermainer13]

Your best bet would be Collinsville.

There is no walkable town/city in CT that is worth a long commute to work. Collinsville is close to Torrington, a very easy drive, and has a funky, close-knit feel. More artsy and diverse than West Hartford and fairly reasonable as well.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by mbenay

Three areas of West Hartford are on our list -- West Hartford Center, Bishops Corner, and Elmwood. So is the Amity section of New Haven and the north end of Bridgeport.

I almost missed this part of your post. North end of Bridgeport and Amity are not good choices. Neither is walkable, and New Haven is FAR from Torrington, easily exceeding an hour. The furthest you'd want to go for an hour commute are towns with walkable areas closer to the 8 corridor like Fairfield or Milford.

Bridgeport's only nice walkable section is Black Rock, and that's getting further away and not worth the commute at all. Amity is not a walkable part of New Haven, it's one of the few strip-mall orientated areas of the city. Westville, East Rock, Wooster Square, and Downtown are the most livable walkable areas.

[groar]

Originally Posted by parentologist

If you are going to be commuting to Torrington on a daily basis, I would not choose to live in West Hartford. It's just too far a drive, with no highway connection. It would take 45 minutes with no traffic, over secondary routes with lots of lights. During most of the day, it could take much longer, what with rush hour and shopping traffic. If you only need to get to Torrington less frequently, West Hartford would definitely be your best bet.

my mom lives in torrington and works in west hartford (the westernmost edge of town right off of 44) and it takes her about 35 minutes. the OP would be going the opposite direction of traffic, too. in any case, she said she wants a place within an hour of torrington, so 45 minutes would obviously be OK. there are back ways to go that are pretty fast, too.

i agree that collinsville is probably the best option, though. i lived there as a teenager and it's a nice little business district that has only gotten more occupied in recent years. it's an easy commute and while it's not walkable to EVERYTHING, it's a decent business district. there's a market (but it's not a supermarket) and some restaurants. and it's a very short drive to pretty much anything you could want on a regular basis.

[htfdcolt]

Maybe the OP has already decided on something by now. If not, I'm surprised no one has suggested Simsbury center. I continue to be impressed by how walkable (and bikeable!) they've made it. And lots of good dining options too...

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

I'm surprised no one has suggested Simsbury center.

The OP was looking for a ranch for under $300,000, which sounds kind of impossible for a built up area. I would have suggested North Canaan if they could use a two-story house. There are a couple of listings on Main Street or Granite Street that are walking distance to markets and are under $300K. There also a diner and a few other restaurants, but nothing as nice as Simsbury or West Hartford.

I agree that Collinsville is probably a good compromise, although I don't remember any ranches close to the downtown.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I almost missed this part of your post. North end of Bridgeport and Amity are not good choices. Neither is walkable, and New Haven is FAR from Torrington, easily exceeding an hour. The furthest you'd want to go for an hour commute are towns with walkable areas closer to the 8 corridor like Fairfield or Milford.

Bridgeport's only nice walkable section is Black Rock, and that's getting further away and not worth the commute at all. Amity is not a walkable part of New Haven, it's one of the few strip-mall orientated areas of the city. Westville, East Rock, Wooster Square, and Downtown are the most livable walkable areas.

I agree that the North End of Bridgeport is not walkable but I will say that downtown Bridgeport is very walkable and has made sgnificant improvements in recent years. I was very impressed recently walking around there. It could be an option for the OP but honestly it does seem kind of far to go for a walkable location. Collinsville is the best choice IMHO. Jay

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I agree that the North End of Bridgeport is not walkable but I will say that downtown Bridgeport is very walkable and has made sgnificant improvements in recent years. I was very impressed recently walking around there. It could be an option for the OP but honestly it does seem kind of far to go for a walkable location. Collinsville is the best choice IMHO. Jay

Bridgeport downtown is still pretty marginal, and certainly not worth the drive. West Hartford would be a much better option at that point, a heck of a lot nicer and within a shorter distance.

Collinsville is nice, but the OP should know that it's tiny and totally dead at night. I find it hard to recommend given they want a "walkable town". It's not a traditional walkable area, but a very small historical village with a couple shops and restaurants. It's nowhere near comparable to a West Hartford, New Haven, Milford, Fairfield, Black Rock, etc. It's obvious to us, but just want to make sure those unfamiliar with the area understand the distinction. Even downtown Torrington offers a lot more.

[basehead617]

Originally Posted by Stylo

obvious to us, but just want to make sure those unfamiliar with the area understand the distinction. Even downtown Torrington offers a lot more.

Indeed. Maybe I'm wrong, but doesn't Torrington itself offer all the OP is asking for?

It's not exactly desirable but that is a very low price point so the options will be limited.