[docyale]

Thanks to all...

So in what order would you rate following towns: (schooling, community, shopping)

Avon
Burlington
Middlebury
Litchfield
Canton
Bristol
Torrington
Farmington
Watertown
Thomason
Harwintom

[SeaDoo342]

Originally Posted by docyale

Thanks to all...

So in what order would you rate following towns: (schooling, community, shopping)

Avon
Burlington
Middlebury
Litchfield
Canton
Bristol
Torrington
Farmington
Watertown
Thomason
Harwintom

Overall:

Farmington
Avon
Middlebury
Canton
Litchfield
Burlington
Harwinton
Watertown
Thomason
Torrington
Bristol

[willow wind]

I could not possibly rate them for you. What you've got on your list is apples and oranges many of which bear no relationship to each other..

What is it you want from a town ? You've got on your list, Bristol and Torrington, which are kind of tired, blue collar small cities/towns with mediocre schools. However, home prices are good there as compared to places like Avon. Avon is a prime, residential town with excellent schools and high homes values.

Farmington will get you a mix of property types, a regional mall and good schools . Most of the others are fairly lightly developed, suburban to rural type places with none of the diversity of which you are seeking.

I get the feeling that West Hartford is what really suits you but you don't want the commute. Maybe you should just buy there and accept the commute. Or consider Farmington as a strong second choice. Farmington would give you decent schools, shopping and proximity to West Hartford for lots of other stores, restaurants and activities.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by docyale

Thanks to all...

So in what order would you rate following towns: (schooling, community, shopping)

Avon
Burlington
Middlebury
Litchfield
Canton
Bristol
Torrington
Farmington
Watertown
Thomason
Harwintom

This is very subjective and depends on what you feel is most important. Here is my ranking:

Avon
Farmington
Burlington
Canton
Litchfield
Middlebury
Harwinton
Thomaston
Watertown
Bristol
Torrington

[TobinJ]

It would be hard to rate the town specifically, if you highlighted a house or neighborhood in those towns it would be easier. For instance there are portions of each where the city border is misleading.

[docyale]

Again thanks for all your thoughts.

TobinJ's point is well taken. I liked some houses in Bristol region (bordering Burlington). Unfortunately no matter where I'm located in Bristol, the school system is still Bristol. Correct?

In fact there is a street where half the houses are under Bristol and rest under Burlington! (UConn drive)

[hvexpatinct]

Watertown/Oakville is down to earth. Home prices are decent and there is some economic diversity as a result - you can find $700K mcmansions and sub-$200K ranches and plenty of options in between. Very easy commute to both T-ton and Waterbury.

The school system isn't anything special, but there are various private options available.

Middlebury skews a bit more upper middle class.

I like West Hartford very much but I dont know if I like it enough to live there for a Waterbury/Torrington commute with young kids at home. It will chew up a couple of hours per day. I do the opposite drive a couple of days a week but I'd be hard pressed to do it more often than that.

[willow wind]

If you are looking at 122 Uconn Dr. , it shows under the Burlington, CT assessor's database. It does not show under the Bristol assessor's data base. Although # 120 & 125 Uconn Dr. show under Bristol. # 120 also shows under Burlington. In that case it may mean the property straddles the town line, partly in one, partly in the other..

To be 100% sure, contact the Burlington school district, give them the address, and have them look at their district map and make sure that particular house can attend Burlington schools.

The other house on Uconn Dr. that is for sale, # 54 or 59 is definitely in Bristol.

That is a great location -I have family that lives in the area. It's very pleasant. However, schools test scores in Bristol are not wonderful- family has made use of local Catholic schools instead of public schools.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

This is very subjective and depends on what you feel is most important. Here is my ranking:

Avon
Farmington
Burlington
Canton
Litchfield
Middlebury
Harwinton
Thomaston
Watertown
Bristol
Torrington

Looks like a ranking of median income.

[TobinJ]

I don't know how it is now but I grew up on a "city border" neighborhood and my parents were given a choice, although one you enrolled that was it.