Five villages forming a quiet community
East Windsor, Enfield's rustic neighbor, offers rural roads and tree-covered land that create a quiet atmosphere perfect for reflection and relaxation. "It's more of a woodsy area," says Steve Travali with Century 21 AllPoints Realty. "You're going to find your starter homes, but for people who don't want to be in a neighborhood. The population is much smaller, so it's great if you want a quieter town." The area is made up of five small villages, a setup that works with its rural atmosphere to provide residents with even more of a quiet, small-town feel within each little community pockets.
Affordable homes with acreage
Homes in East Windsor take advantage of the space here, and so do home buyers. "You have bigger lots in east Windsor. You'll be getting into three-quarter acre lots," Travali says. "It's going to be common for a starter home to have an acre lot or even four or five acres. In that regard, it's very comparable to Enfield price-wise, but you're getting more land for your money." East Windsor’s colonial-style, ranch-style, split-level and Cape Cod homes are often scattered between open fields and trees. Prices tend to start at around $150,000 and can reach up to about $400,000.
Architecture coursework at East Windsor High
East Windsor Public Schools has a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 and a C on Niche. The area's youngest learners start their education at Broad Brook Elementary School, which has a C-plus. East Windsor Middle School has a C rating and is home to popular music, art, drama, athletic, and academic enrichment programs. Students finish their academic journeys at East Windsor High School, which has a B-minus and offers coursework like Construction & Architecture and Hospitality & Tourism.
Access to U.S. Route 5 and Interstate 91
While East Windsor is decidedly rural, residents are always reasonably close to the highway, which adds a level of convenience and connection to the wider area. "It's never going to take you more than 20 minutes to get to Enfield or the areas around the town," Travali says. “The nice thing about East Windsor is you're still close to Route 5 and I-91." East Windsor is about 11 miles from Bradley International Airport and 17 miles from Hartford.
Seafood at Maine Fish Market
Residents pick up groceries at Geissler’s Supermarket, Big Y World Class Market or Walmart. There are several popular restaurants off I-91, including local staple Maine Fish Market, which is less than a mile from the Connecticut River. "People in the area love that place," Travali says. Serving a variety of seafood dishes, the restaurant is located in a historic 1780s building full of ambiance. When they aren’t in the mood for seafood, Sofia’s Restaurant & Pizzeria provides popular Italian options like pizza and chicken parmesan and Roberto’s Real American Tavern offers traditional American eats and craft beer in an allegedly haunted 1780s house with exposed brick walls. Many locals looking for a fun night out head to the Broad Brook Opera House, which offers live music on the weekends.
Swimming at Broad Brook Reservoir
In a town known for its space, the 22-acre East Windsor Park is perfect for any outdoor activity. Residents and their dogs love its dog park for its all-grass field, and athletes looking to do their best LeBron James or Serena Williams impressions enjoy the lighted basketball and tennis courts. The skate park also offers plenty of chances for residents to try out and show off new tricks. After a long workout, residents can lounge by the Broad Brook Reservoir, and when the weather is nice, they love taking a dip in the water. The park's little beach, pier and slide that drops kids directly into the water are fun draws for residents of this quaint New England town. When swimmers are crowding the Broad Brook Reservoir, fishers might enjoy casting their lines in Broad Brook Pond instead.
Freezing for a reason at the annual Panther Plunge
The East Windsor Parks and Recreation Department hosts several events throughout the year, from spring yoga classes to the Panther Plunge. According to the department, the “plunge” in question involves members of the community jumping into the East Windsor Reservoir in mid-February to raise money for their fuel assistance program, which helps local families heat their homes during the winter. Residents then throw a warming party featuring a bonfire, DJ and refreshments.
Photography Contributed By
Ed Messenger
