[jaykaymorg]

Hello, my husband recently accepted a job in East Hartford and we are finally leaving California(lived here 4 yrs). There are concerns leaving one high COL state for another, however there are other benefits for us leaving. Having said that, would like to ask a few questions and get some advice.
We are looking to live in the glastonbury area. Good schools is the primary reason and commute time (currently my husband works 39 miles from home and it takes on a good day 1:15 , and on a bad day 3 hrs) However, WOW to the property taxes. But seems there is no real way of getting around those. Having said that...are there other towns we are missing? Have looked at Manchester, Bolton, S. windsor areas. They seem similar however schools not as good? Are there town west of the river that would have a relatively decent commute and good schools that we should look at? Saw some homes in the West Hartford area as well as Framington, but not really sure what that commute looks like.
Have read through alot of this forum in the last few weeks and the article posted by some about the foundation issue has us concerned.
What other things should we be concerned about regarding buying a house in these areas? Gas vs. oil? What issues are there with wells and septic?
Apologize for the questions being all over the place, however we need to sell our house, and move and buy another house within the next 6 weeks, so the stress is on!

Basically what we are looking for is....
Good schools
Easier commute
Family friendly area,neighborhood setting.
looking specifically with a town that has a competitive swim team as our daughter is a swimmer.
Single family home in the $400-$450,000 range.
Any and all help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Stylo]

How about Glastonbury itself? It’s a very well rounded town and super easy commute.

[kidyankee764]

If you’re living in one of the high cost coastal CA metros (SD, LA, SF), expect your cost of living to decrease. If you’re in an area like Fresno, Sacramento or SB Valley, it should be similar. One thing you will notice are your property taxes will be higher, but your income tax will be lower. Gas will be less, but utilities will be higher.

If you’re looking for good schools, Glastonbury, Bolton, Marlborough, South Windsor and Wethersfield are all a great start. West Hartford, Avon and Farmington are great but they are on the opposite side of Hartford, and traffic getting through Hartford can be stressful.

You’re on the right track. Good luck.

[GeoffD]

Relative to most high cost of living places, single family homes in metro Hartford towns with top school systems are dirt cheap. Your mortgage/taxes/insurance in a top-5 metro Hartford town will be lower than a top-20 Boston town or top-50 New York town or top 20 DC town. The math isn't as good when you're retired with a paid-for home looking at retirement but for someone with a mortgage and school age children, it's affordable compared to the crazed places on the left coast and right coast.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Relative to most high cost of living places, single family homes in metro Hartford towns with top school systems are dirt cheap. Your mortgage/taxes/insurance in a top-5 metro Hartford town will be lower than a top-20 Boston town or top-50 New York town or top 20 DC town. The math isn't as good when you're retired with a paid-for home looking at retirement but for someone with a mortgage and school age children, it's affordable compared to the crazed places on the left coast and right coast.

Meanwhile, in some of those “dirt cheap” towns, a 450k home will have 15k in property taxes. 🤮

Fair warning to the OP - look closely at property tax rates in greater Hartford.

[BPt111]

Less traffic , cheaper housing, lower cost of living is the benefits but higher property taxes and less things to do

[jaykaymorg]

Thanks for the responses.
Yes, we are definitely considering Glastonbury itself. Was just curious about other towns we might be missing and should take a look at.
We live closer to SD then anywhere and when you say the traffic is "stressful" getting through Hartford..how stressful ? Seriously it can not be as bad as here , given that we have no designated "rush hour traffic" since its traffic all day everyday here .
Yes we are definitely looking at property taxes! Thanks for the warning.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by jaykaymorg

Thanks for the responses.
Yes, we are definitely considering Glastonbury itself. Was just curious about other towns we might be missing and should take a look at.
We live closer to SD then anywhere and when you say the traffic is "stressful" getting through Hartford..how stressful ? Seriously it can not be as bad as here , given that we have no designated "rush hour traffic" since its traffic all day everyday here .
Yes we are definitely looking at property taxes! Thanks for the warning.

Traffic will not be worse, as a whole, than San Diego. However, if you have to travel 84 through downtown Hartford during both rush hours, it will absolutely feel just as bad. I’d suggest avoiding it by looking closer to your job.

[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by jaykaymorg

Thanks for the responses.
Yes, we are definitely considering Glastonbury itself. Was just curious about other towns we might be missing and should take a look at.
We live closer to SD then anywhere and when you say the traffic is "stressful" getting through Hartford..how stressful ? Seriously it can not be as bad as here , given that we have no designated "rush hour traffic" since its traffic all day everyday here .
Yes we are definitely looking at property taxes! Thanks for the warning.

Towns south of Hartford like Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, and Cromwell are worth looking at. Wethersfield has similar taxes to Glastonbury, then it would be Cromwell, then Rocky Hill. (highest taxes to lowest)



Since you are working in East Hartford living south of Hartford can provide a reasonable commute because you don't have to drive thru Hartford. And its possible to drive via some back roads to get to the Putnam Bridge which you would most likely use to cross into Glastonbury then East Hartford.


You can also get to i-84 east this way which also provides good access to East Hartford.

[jaykaymorg]

Awesome , thanks for the info. will look into those other towns as well. Really appreciate it!