Hey Connecticuters, I'm moving to the E. Hartford area. Help me.

[jme5343]

So I took a gig, sight unseen in East Hartford. I've never been East of York, PA.

I'm looking at houses on the East, SE and NE sides, Enfield, Vernon, Glastonbury (though probably out of my $ range), Stafford Springs, Coventry...pretty much anywhere in there. Looking for a single family 3BR/2BA w/ 2 car garage in the $180-200k range...and the more rural, the better. I'm certain I can find at that price with the broad area I'm looking in. I don't want to commute more than 45 minutes, and 20 minutes would be ideal. A good school system (K-5) is important to me as well.

Here's what (I think) I've determined so far:

I don't want to live in Hartford or E. Hartford.
Your property taxes are WAY higher than I'm used to. I'm used to about 1% of the home's value per year.
Houses are a bit higher than what I'm used to, but wow, they've dropped a LOT in the last few years.
Frankly, taxes haven't dropped commensurate with property values.
There are a lot of toll roads.


What I'd like to know:

How are state income and vehicle taxes?
Any suggestions for small, affordable towns?
Are termites a problem?
How's the coast? Swimmable type coast, or rocky and cold?
Anything else (related) that you would like to share about the area.

 

[dank69]

Ellington. Parts of Enfield have good k-5 but then they get thrown together with the riff raff from middleschool on.

Ellington is where you want to be (except when they fertilize) and the ride to EH will be 20 mins or less.

Property taxes are not low, but not super high either compared to Simsbury/Avon craziness. You can pay way less property taxes in Vernon, but it is a shithole with shit schools.

The coast is mellow with good wading, but I've seen bigger waves in my bathtub. But if you just go a little way into Rhode Island it gets more normal because it is past the buffer from long island. Depending on the season there may be some bands of rocks. Nothing too bad though.

Termites can be a problem only if you don't take care of your house. Carpenter ants and also to a lesser degree carpenter wasps. If you just keep an eye out and spray before they get hold you will be fine.

Oh, no toll roads in CT that I know of. One on the border of NY/CT on the way in, not out and then rt90 in mass are the only two I know about.

 

[jme5343]

Thank you Dank, I appreciate the insight. I'll do some checking on Ellington.

 

[jersiq]

I grew up in Ellington in the late 80's and early 90's. Fantastic school system in the area, and not much quality has been lost over the years. There was a population growth which took away some of the cow fields and gave it some suburban sprawl look, but not too much. There is an area of Ellington called crystal lake which abuts stafford, and there are quite a few old lake homes up there, so be wary if you find a deal too good to be true, often they are crap homes trying to be unloaded.

The town does roll up at night though, not much in the way of nightlife around there, sounds like you wanted quiet rural anyways.

My drive from Vernon to east Hartford in the morning is a breeze (15 min) As long as you avoid ~8:30 am you should be good. Depending on where you work in East Hartford there are some backroads and shortcuts you can take to save some headaches I-84

Send a PM if you want some more specific info.

 

[dank69]

I grew up in Ellington in the late 80's and early 90's. Fantastic school system in the area, and not much quality has been lost over the years. There was a population growth which took away some of the cow fields and gave it some suburban sprawl look, but not too much. There is an area of Ellington called crystal lake which abuts stafford, and there are quite a few old lake homes up there, so be wary if you find a deal too good to be true, often they are crap homes trying to be unloaded.

The town does roll up at night though, not much in the way of nightlife around there, sounds like you wanted quiet rural anyways.

My drive from Vernon to east Hartford in the morning is a breeze (15 min) As long as you avoid ~8:30 am you should be good. Depending on where you work in East Hartford there are some backroads and shortcuts you can take to save some headaches I-84

Send a PM if you want some more specific info.

Ah yes, I forgot to mention to stick to the west side of Ellington (near Vernon/South Windsor) if you want a shorter commute. Going out by Crystal Lake could add 20 minutes drive time to EH.

I've also heard good things about South Windsor and their school system. It is slightly more expensive and less rural, but an even shorter commute.