[willow wind]

You're forgetting the important word- traffic. To get to NW CT from Manchester you have to go through Hartford area commute traffic. Why do that if you don't have to.

Why is Tolland too close to Hartford? If Tolland is too close then Colchester is only 20 or so minutes from Hartford- you'll be working in Manchester, what does Hartford have to do with anything except traffic.

The schools out in the NW CT in Torrington, Winchester, etc. are mediocre at best compared to the towns people have been suggesting.

Colchester is a good choice. Great, big, new England town green in the center of town, basic local shopping, movie theater, hospital satellite clinic, decent schools. Up and coming town, lots of home choice in your price range. Schools while decent are a notch below South Windsor, Tolland, Hebron, Marlborough IMO

Marlborough is the next town north from Colchester and you could use Colchester for the most part for local shopping. Marlborough is part of the Hebron, Andover, Marlborough schools district for middle & senior high schools but has its own elementary school.

Be careful what you wish for - lol. If you want " deserted" , then you're not going to have chain restaurants & shopping malls. For the most part, you can't have neighborhoods where your kids are going to ride bikes on the cul de sac and be too, too rural at the same time.

[mels]

Originally Posted by willow wind

Marlborough is the next town north from Colchester and you could use Colchester for the most part for local shopping. Marlborough is part of the Hebron, Andover, Marlborough schools district for middle & senior high schools but has its own elementary school.

Be careful what you wish for - lol. If you want " deserted" , then you're not going to have chain restaurants & shopping malls. For the most part, you can't have neighborhoods where your kids are going to ride bikes on the cul de sac and be too, too rural at the same time.

I agree with this. I live in Marlborough but am closer to Glastonbury for shopping. In fact, I rarely (if ever) set foot in Colchester, I have no reason to. Others in town use East Hampton for grocery shopping, it all depends where in the town you are located.

If you want rural, then you don't want big box stores and shopping malls in your backyard (forget about South Windsor). If you are mixing up "rural" with "suburban", then we can adjust what towns we are recommending for you.

Marlborough schools are viewed as superior to Colchester's, but Colchester has a big box grocery store if that is important to you. Also, I agree that commuting from the NW part of the state is insane, unless you work third shift and even then, hope there is never any snow, ice or other weather event to slow you down.

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by mels

I agree with this. I live in Marlborough but am closer to Glastonbury for shopping. In fact, I rarely (if ever) set foot in Colchester, I have no reason to. Others in town use East Hampton for grocery shopping, it all depends where in the town you are located.

If you want rural, then you don't want big box stores and shopping malls in your backyard (forget about South Windsor). If you are mixing up "rural" with "suburban", then we can adjust what towns we are recommending for you.

Marlborough schools are viewed as superior to Colchester's, but Colchester has a big box grocery store if that is important to you. Also, I agree that commuting from the NW part of the state is insane, unless you work third shift and even then, hope there is never any snow, ice or other weather event to slow you down.

I agree with mels - Malborough would be a great choice. Good school system, and close to Glastonbury for all the amenities there. (Malborough shares a school system with Andover & Hebron, two other towns you may want to look at as well). However, you'll have to either swing through Hartford to get to Manchester, or take back roads (Rte 83) through Glastonbury to get to Manchester.

Ellington might not be a bad choice, either. Schools are not rated quite as highly as Tolland or Malborough, but they're still pretty good. Granby might be okay as well - good schools, easy access to amenities in nearby Simsbury and Windsor, and you can get onto 291 to get into Manchester.

Tolland would be good, too. Also a very good school system, and they do have access a grocery store in town, plus it gives you easy access to amenities in nearby Vernon/Rockville and South Windsor/Manchester.

[mels]

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

Malborough would be a great choice. Good school system, and close to Glastonbury for all the amenities there. (Malborough shares a school system with Andover & Hebron, two other towns you may want to look at as well). However, you'll have to either swing through Hartford to get to Manchester, or take back roads (Rte 83) through Glastonbury to get to Manchester.

I wouldn't consider Rt. 83 a back road. To get to Manchester from Marlborough, I will generally take Rt. 94 (Hebron Ave) then either go up to Keeney St through Glastonbury or up Rt. 83 in Glastonbury. Both are main roads that are very well traveled. You never have to go anywhere near Hartford to get to Manchester.

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by mels

I wouldn't consider Rt. 83 a back road. To get to Manchester from Marlborough, I will generally take Rt. 94 (Hebron Ave) then either go up to Keeney St through Glastonbury or up Rt. 83 in Glastonbury. Both are main roads that are very well traveled. You never have to go anywhere near Hartford to get to Manchester.

True, but there are stops along 83 - the light crossing Hebron Avenue, and then when you get into Manchester as well.

[Westchester2]

Thanks All, I am glad I asked this question. You said that the towns I listed were kind of poor and mediocre towns.

Marlborough is definatly one option, and what about Willington? is that a good area or what about Willimantic, is that a good area?

[Sigequinox]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Marlborough.

Yeah, OP here's a nice house for 350k in Mborough, taxes are not listed, schools are ranked pretty high, over 4 acres.

31 South Rd, Marlborough, CT 06447 - Home For Sale and Real Estate Listing - realtor.com®

[mels]

Originally Posted by Westchester2

what about Willington? is that a good area or what about Willimantic, is that a good area?

Willimantic: bustling/commercial section of the town of Windham. Known (fairly or not) for drug use, particularly its heroin problems. I doubt anyone would advise you to live there if you are looking for solid schools in a rural area.

Willington: schools are nothing special and poverty rate is especially high (which I didn’t realize), just not as high as Windham’s. Is that UConn's nearby presence (students) jacking up that rate?

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by mels

Willimantic: bustling/commercial section of the town of Windham. Known (fairly or not) for drug use, particularly its heroin problems. I doubt anyone would advise you to live there if you are looking for solid schools in a rural area.

Willington: schools are nothing special and poverty rate is especially high (which I didn’t realize), just not as high as Windham’s. Is that UConn's nearby presence (students) jacking up that rate?

I thought Willington students go to EO Smith in Storrs for high school? EO Smith generally rates very highly in terms of test scores - probably because the kids there are children of UConn & ECSU professors?

Not sure about before high school, though.

[mrgmrg]

Willington students do go to E.O. Smith for high school (unlike Willimantic). EO Smith has a great reputation (and has had since the 1960s, when it was the best public high school in the state) and is unique in Connecticut due to its relationship with the University, its agricultural programs, etc.