[kasia33]

I will be moving to CT on December 26th from MN and next week my boyfriend and I are driving over to the Hartford area to look for an apartment. We are looking for a nice downtown/city center area in one of the surrounding towns near Hartford so we can be within walking distance to coffeshops, stores, etc.

We have a general idea what each city has to offer, and have narrowed our options down to Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks, East Granby, Granby, Enfield, Suffield, Glastonbury, but aren't ruling out the other towns.

Can anyone give us an idea which cities have nice downtowns and maybe which street or area they're located in?

Thanks!

[Rich Lee]

You should also consider West Hartford and Middletown.

[metaljaybird]

Enfield's (I grew up there) downtown is in shambles (though they have attempted to revive it lately), unless you like strip malls, don't consider it (though the residential streets are very nice).

West Hartford is tops for culture and downtown shopping.

[Dragondog]

West Hartford has perhaps the best downtown in the Hartford metro region- it tries to imitate Greenwich CT; the town center has some truly outstanding restaurants, some alfresco- in the warm months-There is A Starbucks and other coffee cafes plus upscale shopping, and a jazzy ambiance. Glastonbury Main street/downtown is also pleasant, with lots to offer in shopping and excellent eateries.

Manchester has been condemned on this forum as 'not a good town'; it does have a pleasant traditional New England Main Street with views of the Glastonbury Hills near the beginning of downtown. There Are some nice coffee shops and very good ethnic restaurants. And the downtown has much more charm then the Mall and mega shopping centers in the north end of town.

South Windsor has the new upscale 'Evergreen Walk' with great shopping and restaurants. There are also other great places to eat throughout town.

Avon and Farmington have much to offer in upscale shopping and restaurants- but the traffic on US 44 can be somewhat trying at times. And while very upscale- the place reminds me of one long strip mall.

Middletown Main street is very nice, with much charm, great restaurants including a great Tibetan restaurant of high renown.

Granby/East Granby and Suffield are both very pleasant places to live- but are very sedate and mostly rural, with not much in the way of restaurants or shopping.

The 'old Wethersfield' area On the towns Main street is filled with historical homes from the 17th/18th centuries and has much New England charm. The pizza shop is excellent- but shopping is limited.

[mels]

West Hartford will definitely fit the bill and has a great downtown area (look around the intersection of Farmington Ave and South Main St). Glastonbury's center is on Main Street, the town green is near the intersection of Main St and Hebron Ave (aka Rt. 94).

[Mom2two]

I agree with mels... Sounds like you would love West Hartford. The "Center" has very nice shops, restaurants, etc.. I would stay away from Granby, although it's very nice, it's a bit further than you may like.