New England homes and a peaceful pace of life
Located 20 miles west of Hartford, Burlington is a picturesque hill town that borders the Farmington River and is situated at the foot of the Berkshire Mountains. With a population just under 10,000, the Connecticut town blends a bucolic, small-town vibe with access to everyday necessities. “Residents like to be close enough to shopping, while staying more removed,” says real estate agent Erin Giguiere of Regall Realty LLC, who grew up in the town. “Burlington has a more rural feel so that you can be one with nature, or you can drive 10 to 15 minutes to get to whatever you need.” Though New England homes are strewn across the pastoral landscape, the town maintains a sense of community, reflected in its lively events and accessibility to outdoor recreation. “Burlington is very welcoming and inviting,” Giguiere says. “It has a small, tight-knit community and a home-town feel.”
Colonial homes dominate Burlington’s classic New England mix
Homes cluster in smaller communities and neighborhoods, and some are peppered on larger properties throughout the town. Single-family homes reflect the classic New England styles. “There are many colonial homes rich with history,” Giguiere says. “And you’ll also commonly see capes and raised ranches, but mostly colonials.” Bi-level and minimalistic ranch-style homes are also among the mix, while larger homes feature Colonial Revival and Neo-Traditional influences. Parcels of land for sale offer opportunities for new developments and custom builds. Townhouses, though few, typically list within the $400,000s. Prices for single-family homes range between $150,000 and $1.3 million, though most homes fall between $500,000 and $900,000.
Highly rated schools and education in District No. 10
Giguiere says the strongly rated schools are also a draw for families. “It’s a nice community for kids because the schools are good,” she says. Regional School District No. 10, which earns an A-minus overall grade from Niche, serves over 2,000 students in the area. Students may begin their education at Harwinton Consolidated School or Lake Garda Elementary School, depending on zoning. Both primary schools earn B-plus scores and cover prekindergarten through fourth grade. Har-Bur Middle School serves fifth through eighth graders and also gets a B-plus. Students can advance to Lewis S. Mills High School, an A-minus-graded school with high marks for its teachers and sports. Home of the Spartans, LMS offers a wide variety of teams within its athletic program, including ice hockey, lacrosse and soccer.
Trails, forests and rivers offer year-round outdoor fu
Burlington’s natural setting provides residents with easy access to national preserves, bodies of water and plenty of recreation. “There are so many opportunities to get outside,” Giguiere says, emphasizing that locals have a range of recreational options, from a plethora of scenic hiking trails and swimming spots to organized sports and activities at the Burlington Recreation Center. “I grew up going to the rec center. It has a pond at the end of the road, it has ballfields and it’s just a nice little spot to gather.”
The center hosts a wide variety of activities for all ages, and offers tennis courts.
Locals can take their pick from the many hiking trails that snake through the nature preserves and woodlands in Burlington. Popular destinations for hiking include the Taine Mountain Preserve and Burlington Falls, complete with scenic vistas. The Nassahegon State Forest is geographically central within Burlington, spanning over 1,300 acres and providing opportunities for fishing, hiking and seasonal hunting. The Nepaug Reservoir and State Forest offer additional hiking, hunting and camping. Chilled rushing water from the Farmington River also attracts recreationists. “The Farmington River is a very active place,” Giguiere says. “The trails along the river are popular for biking, walking, running and dog walking, and people go to spots along the river to fish.”
Burlington has essentials, with more shopping nearby
A small town center anchors Route 4, or Spielman Highway, in central Burlington. The stretch of the street has conveniences like CVS Pharmacy and a gas station along with local establishments. Restaurants include Enclave Grille and Sabrina’s Restaurant, a cozy Italian favorite. Further west on Route 4, Greenhouse Café and Tavern welcomes guests into a greenhouse-like outdoor patio, where diners can enjoy the restaurant’s eclectic menu under verdant plants. Though establishments for shopping and dining in Burlington are sparse, residents have still have many options in neighboring towns like Avon, Unionville and Canton. “It depends on what side you live on,” Giguiere says. “It’s closer to go to one of those three or Bristol, but we border all those towns.” All three have grocery stores like Stop & Shop, Walmart and Aldi.
Route 4 connects to Interstate 84 and beyond
Route 4 is Burlington’s main road that links west into Harwinton and east into Unionville, with connections to Route 179 and Interstate 84. Drivers can get to Hartford, about 20 miles east, in about 25 minutes via I-84. The Bradley International Airport is about 38 miles from Burlington.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Pelligrinelli
