Bristol is a suburban town 20 miles outside Hartford with a quiet atmosphere and a redeveloping downtown area. “Bristol used to lack some culture because we were a more industry-focused town,” says Bob Siemiatkoski, a resident and owner of Country Manor Realty. “But with the revitalizing downtown and lots of new construction going on, we are getting it back.” As the downtown revitalizes, it is becoming more walkable, and new businesses are coming in. Overall, the town has a strong community vibe, with highly rated schools and frequent community events. And living in Downtown Bristol puts homebuyers right at the heart, within minutes of farmers' markets, local museums, and the growing commercial corridor.
Coffee shops and more to come
Downtown Bristol has a few spots for dinner and plenty of good coffee shops. Café Real has authentic Colombian blends, and Parkside Café is a long-standing classic with more extensive breakfast options. Yellow King, a cafe and brewery, just opened its second location in Bristol, and a brand-new brewery is set to open up in mid-2024. "We don’t really have any fine dining options, but when you go to our local restaurants, you will always see someone that you know — I like that,” Siemiatkoski says. “And with the new restaurants coming in, I’m hopeful for a place you can get dressed up for.” A new apartment building is also being built in 2024 with reserved retail space on the lower floor, increasing the number of options within walking distance. With the brand-new Rockwell Theater showing performances on Saturday nights, there's an increased sense of vibrancy in this small town.
The Bristol Bazaar in Downtown Bristol features crafts made by local artisans.
Cafe Real is a local Downtown Bristol coffee shop dedicated to authentic Columbian coffee.
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Farmhouses fashioned into multi-family living
Homes in Downtown Bristol date back to the late 1880s and stretch all the way up to the 2000s. Due to higher demand in the downtown area, many old-fashioned farmhouses are split into duplexes and triplexes, and about 65% of people here are renters. For those looking to buy, these multi-family units can cost around $150,000 to $200,000. But there are also a few single-family homes, with plenty of modest Cape Cods and contemporary suburban styles. These homes start at around $200,000 for two bedrooms and top out at around $300,000 for three bedrooms.
Downtown living often means smaller yards and Bristol is no exception.
Most homes in Downtown Bristol were built during its industrial past.
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Public schools with magnet classes
The Bristol Public Schools District is currently in the process of redistricting but will be complete by the start of the 2025-26 school year. Depending on home location, kids will start at one of three K-5 elementary schools: West Bristol, South Side or Greene-Hills. All three currently receive B-minus grades from the school rating website Niche. Then, kids are funneled into Chippens Hill Middle School, rated B-minus, and Bristol Central High School, rated A-minus. The district also included the Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School as well as the Bristol Technical Education Center. Students in high school can apply to take courses at either of these institutions for advanced instruction in STEAM fields and college credit opportunities.
Freshly renovated Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School has all the modern amenities.
in 2017 Bristol Central High School's Peter Wininger was named Best Principal In The USA.
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Community parks and local library
Brackett Park is relatively small but has basketball and tennis courts and a kids' play area. In nice weather, locals of Downtown Bristol enjoy walking over. Rockwell Park is a bit further away but is much larger and is popular in the summer for its splash pad and pool. It sits right next to Muzzy Field, which hosts little league and minor league baseball games. An active Parks and Recreation department maintains the parks and plans summer camps and youth sports. And when locals are looking for inside entertainment, there's usually something happening at the nearby Bristol Public Library.
Downtown Bristol residents have access to several public parks around town.
Bristol Public Library sidewalk being plowed.
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Mum Festival and other seasonal entertainment
Bristol's biggest event is the Mum Festival, which honors the town's history as a hub for chrysanthemum production. The event runs right through downtown, with a parade, artisan booths, live performances and a car show. During the warmer months, there's a weekly farmers market, and the open-year-round Bristol Bazar feels like a never-ending artisan craft fair. Another mainstay of the town is Lake Compounce Amusement and Water Park, the oldest continuously running amusement park in the country. With renovated roller coasters and seasonal events, the locals of Bristol often purchase season passes since it sits a convenient 3 miles away.
Downtown Bristol residents can buy La Famiglia Tedesco deserts without traveling to Waterbury.
Lake Compounce in Bristol is the oldest amusement park in America.
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City commutes and hometown employers
Bristol sits 20 miles outside Hartford, a trip that can take 20 or 45 minutes, depending on traffic. The town sits right along State Route 6, but locals must drive a few miles to connect with major interstates. There are bus lines along major roads, but the closest CT Fastrak station is 9 miles away in New Britain. However, many residents can work closer to home, as Bristol is home to the ESPN headquarters and a growing healthcare industry. The Covanta waste management also service sits 3 miles from Downtown Bristol. Several residents of Bristol have complained about a low-level hum emanating from the facility, although some can't hear it at all. The Bristol-Burlington Health District is investigating and dedicated to resolving these complaints.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jesus Cazorla,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Casey Field
Memorial Boulevard Park
Baseball/Softball
Tennis
Trails
Federal Hill Green
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Muzzy Field Park
Rockwell Park
Brackett Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Transit
Airport
Bradley International
55 min drive
Bus
N Main St & North St
Bus
South St & Mellen St
Bus
South St & Opp East Rd
Bus
South St & West St
Bus
N Main St & Center St
Bus
Riverside Ave & Main St
Bus
Farmington Ave & Burlington Ave
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Bristol
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Bristol, Bristol sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Downtown Bristol, Bristol over the last 12 months is $244,800, up 11% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Remodeled 2 family home in a desirable and convenient Bristol neighborhood. Spacious apartments. Brand new roof, driveway and front porch! Updated utilities. Vinyl siding and windows. New interior and exterior doors. Freshly painted interior. 1st floor 2 bedrooms. 2nd floor can used as 3 bedrooms. 2nd floor unit will have brand new stainless steel appliances! Perfect for owner occupants or
Jennifer AbousadaConnecticut Real Estate Group LLC
A multi-family home close to town with spacious bedrooms and living space. Plenty of storage and parking. Close to all forms of transportation, schools and shopping. Come check it out today!!
Rarely available TURN-KEY 8-unit building, FULLY RENTED! This income producing multi-family has been nicely maintained with upgrades and presents all units with 1 bedroom and 1 full bath. Stand out features include: Three zone natural gas direct vent boiler w/ one locked thermostat per floor; 50-gallon natural gas hot water heater; Updated oil tanks in place as an option; Fire code compliant; 5yr
The open living area welcomes you with freshly installed lighting fixtures, gleaming hardwood floors, and brand-new trim and molding that add a touch of timeless elegance throughout. The kitchen is a showstopper, featuring newly installed quartz countertops, pristine cabinetry, and state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances, perfect for both everyday living and entertaining. At the center of the
Renovated unit, all utilities included (heat, water, electric). Credit/background check required 650 min. There is a monthly utility charge of $150 in addition to the monthly rent of $975. This is a studio unit, living and sleeping area are combined.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jesus Cazorla,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,631
Median Age
40
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$57,331
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$60,282
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.2%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
15.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.6%
% Population in Labor Force
60.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
31''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
34/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
72/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
