Bethel, a town with close to 17,000 residents, features a growing downtown area about 3 miles from Danbury. “I like Bethel because, despite its size, it still feels like a small-town community,” says Megan Dean, director of the Bethel Public Library, who has worked there for seven years. Homes sit just a short drive from the downtown area, which is filled with local businesses. People can explore one of the several parks in town or attend a program at the library or the Bethel Community Center and can take the train into New York City, about 60 miles, or two hours, away for a day trip. Students attend Bethel Public Schools, which receives a B-plus from Niche.
Downtown area highlights local businesses
P.T. Barnum Square, named for the town’s famous resident, sits at the heart of downtown Bethel, surrounded by locally owned restaurants and businesses for people to explore. “Just from my window, I can see Edison Kitchen and Putnam House,” Dean says. People can start their day with a cup of coffee from Molten Java before exploring any of the stores in town. There are three independent bookstores in Bethel, including Byrd’s Books. “We coexist beautifully,” Dean says. Other shops include Disc & Dat, a music store, and The Toy Room. After dinner at Edison Kitchen, which serves American classics, locals can end their night with a scoop of ice cream from Dr. Mike’s Ice Cream Shop or a drink from Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery. They can get groceries from Caraluzzi’s Bethel Market and find essentials at Walmart, about 3 miles away, or Target and Lowe’s, about a 4-mile drive.
Enjoy dinner downtown at Edison Kitchen in Bethel.
Host your next event at the Putnam house in Bethel.
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Summer events include Friday Food Trucks
The town puts on several events throughout the year, especially during the summer. Food Truck Friday, held on the first and third Friday from June to August, features live music throughout the year. Besides an assortment of food trucks, local restaurants are encouraged to create take-out menus so attendees can support their business while enjoying the show. Several craft festivals are held throughout the year, including Bethel Summerfest, put on by the Artisans Alliance, where artists from across Connecticut can rent a booth and showcase their work.
Variety of homes along Bethel streets
While many properties surrounded by trees stretch to the road, sidewalks start popping up as the streets get closer to downtown. Residents decorate their grassy lawns with small bushes and gardens, which sit in front of a variety of architectural styles. Bilevels and raised ranch styles can be found among Cape Cods and farmhouses, while Queen Annes and Tudor Revivals are scattered throughout town. Many of these homes were built in the 20th century and can cost $300,000 to $550,000, and new traditional houses with colonial influences can be found for upwards of $650,000.
Explore homes from $300-550k in great conditions in Bethel.
Stunning Victorian architecture is seeing throughout all of Bethel.
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Bethel High students complete community service before graduation
As part of Bethel Public Schools, students can start at one of three elementary schools, including Rockwell Elementary, before attending Bethel Middle School, with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to one. Both schools receive a B from Niche. At Bethel High School, which earns an A-minus, all students must complete 60 hours of community service before graduating.
Come see the Bethel Wildcats
Bethel Middle School serves students grades 6 through 8
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Bethel residents spend time at parks and library
At Overlook Park, locals can hike through a natural trail with views of the mountains in and around town. Bennett Memorial’s amenities include a playground for kids to explore and open fields to run around. Bethel Public Library offers a wide selection of books and programs, including an early literacy program that helps children between three and five start reading. “It’s the only place you can meet without paying for something,” Dean says. The Senior Center, managed by the town, features classes and activities for residents over 50. “Between parks and recreation, the public library, and the senior center, Bethel has something for all ages,” Dean says.
Discover the latest best sellers at the Bethel Public Library.
Parents and their kids enjoy the safe and peaceful Meckauer Park in Bethel.
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Bethel is largely car-dependent, downtown is walkable
In downtown, Bethel residents can park at a public lot and walk from store to store before driving home. Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 6 run through the northern part of town, connecting drivers to Hartford, about 56 miles away. HARTransit has several bus routes connecting Bethel to nearby Danbury, about 3 miles away, and offers SweetHART, a door-to-door shuttle service available to people who may need more direct transportation. LaGuardia Airport, about 60 miles away, is the closest international airport.
Bethel is a great small town to raise a family.
A monument at P.T. Barnum Square in Bethel
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Danbury Hospital about 4 miles from Bethel
Danbury Hospital, about 4 miles away, features the closest emergency room. The hospital has received several accolades, including being rated one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals in 2024 by Healthgrades. It is accredited by the Joint Commission with the Gold Seal of Distinction, with special recognition for total hip and knee replacements.
The highly rated Danbury Hospital is just four miles away from Bethel.
Easily commute to NYC via the Metro North in Bethel.
Jean has lived in New Fairfield for nearly all her life and has been an active member of the town Volunteer Fire Department since 1987.
With a background in teaching, Jean can manage the multitude of tasks required to complete a successful Real Estate transaction. She excels at taking the worry out of buying or selling a house for her clients. In 2023, she was recognized by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) for her commitment to high standards and professionalism in the real estate industry for earning an endorsement as a “Commitment to Excellence” (C2EX) professional.
As a C2EX-endorsed professional, Jean is now part of an elite group of real estate agents. The NAR endorsement is a testament to her dedication to her clients and profession proving that she goes above and beyond to provide the best service possible, showing that excellence in the industry is not only possible but also worth striving for.
Jean has been an active member of the real estate community for several years, and her peers, and clients have recognized her, and now NAR. She is proud to receive such a prestigious endorsement and plans to continue striving to provide her clients with the highest level of service.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
