9 Best Places to Live in Connecticut

Hartford

Connecticut’s capital is a true gem, offering residents an excellent school system, charming neighborhoods, top-notch healthcare facilities, cultural activities, and recreation. “We are truly spoiled,” Paula Ostop, a broker at William Raveis Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, said of the city, ranked number 13 for quality of life in U.S. News’s latest report.

She explained that West Hartford Center remains the most popular entertainment district, and homes located there are in very high demand. Architectural styles vary between colonial, Cape Cod, and ranch styles.

Real estate values are also on the affordable side, with median home prices at around $170,000, according to Zillow.

Weatogue

This quaint village northwest of Hartford along the Farmington River is steeped in history. Weatogue is home to many noteworthy spots including the “haunted” Pettibone Tavern (now Abigail’s Grille and Wine Bar) and the East Weatogue Historic District, but the most popular area with newcomers is ​​Latimer Lane.

“It’s loaded with enclaves, as well as the beloved Latimer Lane Elementary School – a place where kids can ride their bikes to the school or walk,” Geena Becker of William Raveis Real Estate explained. “In terms of home styles, back in the ’60s and ’70s, builders constructed raised ranches and colonials with a few [Cape Cod-style homes].”

Currently, the median home value in Weatogue is around $420,000, which indicates a 12 percent increase since last year and is higher than the national median. A similar picture emerges with the broader cost of living: Residents spend about five percent more than the U.S. average on expenses like groceries, childcare, and transportation.

Farmington

“Farmington [is] a suburb of Hartford nestled in the picturesque Farmington Valley, [and it] provides the perfect setting for families to flourish,” William Raveis Real Estate broker Lisa Sweeney said, highlighting its strong sense of community, convenient amenities, and easy access to shopping and highways.

Farmington is over 350 years old, and thanks to careful urban planning and preservation, its residents can enjoy its historic character and charm.

“The housing market in Farmington and across the valley is robust and thriving,” Sweeney added and explained that prospective buyers should expect intense competition for the few available homes “resulting in offers exceeding asking prices and minimal contingencies.” The current median home value is around $460,000, according to Zillow.

Glastonbury

Named the third-best place to live in Connecticut by Niche.com, Glastonbury has around 35,000 full-time residents who enjoy access to top-notch public schools, excellent sports programs, family-friendly amenities, and endless outdoor activities. This riverfront town is a perfect destination for water sports enthusiasts and anglers, and it’s also known as the home of the oldest continuously operating cider mill in the country.

“South Glastonbury is quaint with its shops and restaurants, as well as its country farms and prime location along the Connecticut River,” local broker Harry Finer said, adding that antique homes are very popular, but there is also a large number of new residences and luxury homes.

However, home prices here are quickly rising, with current values around $510,000, 14 percent higher than last year.

Old Greenwich

Nestled along Connecticut’s “Gold Coast,” Old Greenwich attracts many urbanites seeking escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Carolyn Petersen, a Houlihan Lawrence/Luxury Portfolio International broker, compares the town to Stars Hollow, the fictional idyllic city in Gilmore Girls.

“One can live in Old Greenwich through all seasons of life, and many do — this is why Old Greenwich has been such a wildly popular choice for those seeking a move,” Petersen added.

The town’s tight-knit community is a major draw, too. “On any given day, you can volunteer with the Old Greenwich Association, plant daffodil bulbs with the Friends of Binney Park, attend a nature walk with the Friends of Greenwich Point Park (Tod’s Point to the locals!), buy plants from the Garden Club of Old Greenwich, shop at the Old Greenwich Farmer’s Market, play tennis on the town courts, attend a book club at Perrot Library, and finish with a sophisticated, yet casual dinner at one of a number of chic restaurants,” she said.

However, inventory in this ritzy community is low, and homes come with eye-watering price tags. The current median value is over $2 million, with over half of properties selling above asking price, according to Zillow.

Stamford

Manhattanites love this vibrant community along the Long Island Sound for its proximity to the city (just 35 miles away, with express trains running daily), diverse community, many cultural offerings and events, natural landmarks, public parks, and beaches. Local real estate agent Meghan Athnos of Brown Harris Stevens/Luxury Portfolio International called it a “unique and wonderful place to live.”

But it is also a place with a highly competitive real estate market. According to Athnos, ​​57 percent of homes sold over the asking price in the first quarter of 2024, and the average list-to-sale price ratio was a record high of 101.8 percent. Additionally, homes spend less than two weeks on the market before they go from for-sale to pending status.

The current median home value is around $660,000, but Athnos explained that there is a lot of variety when it comes to property types, “from antique colonials to charming Capes, ranch-style homes to modern contemporaries, downtown townhomes to high-rise apartments, and everything in between,” she added.

New Haven

The historic charm of New Haven blends with its modern spirit for a diverse community that is home to one of the country’s most prestigious universities, Yale. The city is chock-full of great restaurants, museums, bars, music venues, coffee shops, and independent businesses catering to New Haven’s 135,000 residents, a fourth of which are students. The unemployment rate here is about the same as the national average, or 3.8 percent, with many companies setting up shop in the area to attract highly educated and skilled employees.

The cost of living in New Haven is about nine percent higher than the national average. By contrast, real estate is relatively affordable, with median home values at about $300,000.

Westport

With its beautiful beaches, diverse neighborhoods, great schools, and many shops and restaurants, Westport has become popular with families and young professionals seeking proximity to New York City and urban amenities in a quaint setting.

“Westport is the perfect blend of New York City-inspired sophistication and New England coastal charm,” Amy Swanson, vice president of sales at William Raveis Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, said.

The town is nestled along the Long Island Sound and the banks of the Saugatuck River, offering an abundance of water recreation and stunning waterfront views. The city’s real estate market certainly reflects its many amenities and excellent quality of life. Median home prices have been on a steady upward trajectory for a few years, and the current median home value is $1,777,000.

Weston

Weston’s tranquility, historical neighborhoods, excellent public schools, and low crime rates have made the town a magnet for young families, especially those seeking a lush natural setting (over a fourth of the city is preserved as open spaces), outdoor recreation (including access to country clubs and their sports facilities), and proximity to beaches and New York City. The town ranked in the top 10 communities to raise a family in Connecticut on Niche.com, and the median age of Weston residents is 46 years old.

All those perks come with a competitive real estate market, with home prices nearly reaching the $1.5 million mark in May, which, according to Zillow, has essentially doubled since mid-2020. The town is not exactly known for its affordability, as the cost of living is 25 percent higher than the national average and nine percent above the Connecticut average.