Grand homes in a desirable neighborhood
Just as the Connecticut River flows alongside it, Glastonbury Center constantly moves forward while maintaining its historic charm and small-town quirks. Grand homes, local events, and a developing dining district flavor the neighborhood, making it one of Connecticut's most sought-after suburban areas. The neighborhood's northern end is industrial and commercial, with shopping plazas, health centers and office spaces. Seemingly a different world, the southern end has spread-out houses in winding neighborhoods hidden in the wooded hills of the region. Glastonbury Center encompasses the Main Street Historic District, its busy parks and the area's most extensive dining. "Glastonbury is a lovely town," says John Lepore, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. "They're trying to pattern themselves a little bit after West Hartford in terms of a community-focused, center-of-town vibe." Close to the employers and events of Downtown Hartford, Glastonbury Center offers spacious homes on spacious lawns while remaining close to amenities and conveniences.
Original Colonials and acreage
Growing in acreage and size as the neighborhood moves south, homes of Glastonbury Center range significantly in price. Buyers can find condos and townhomes that take inspiration from many architectural styles, from $230,000 to the high $400,000s. Original Colonial homes as old as the 1600s are sprinkled on the main streets of Glastonbury Center, with a few converted into museums, bed and breakfasts or inns. Colonial Revivals on hilly, green lawns surrounded by oaks and maples are a standard sight in town. Those, and the largest new traditional homes in the area, sell between $575,000 and $1 million. While sidewalks aren't everywhere, joggers, dog walkers and kids riding their bikes take to the quiet streets ending in cul-de-sacs. Many Cape Cods and sprawling ramblers start at around $300,000 and reach the neighborhood's median price of $520,000. Lepore says the housing market in the suburban towns of Connecticut is strong. "Inventory is low, prices are high, and homes in the neighborhood sell after only a few weeks on the market."
The best school district in Hartford County
Multiple elementary schools serve the youngest children of Glastonbury Center, but many can expect to attend Nayaug Elementary. Rated an A by Niche, the school is part of the best school district in the Hartford Area and the seventh-best district in the state, Glastonbury Public Schools. Students then attend Smith Middle School, which is also rated an A. With over 30 after-school clubs and sports to choose from, the school encourages its students to make connections over shared hobbies in their free time. Glastonbury High School rounds out the bunch with a grade of A-plus and is among Hartford County's top three public high schools. The high school also has a competitive athletics program, and many teams have won the state championship title for their division in recent years. Glastonbury Public Schools is the single best school district for athletes in Connecticut.
Fresh locally sourced ingredients
The intersection of Main Street and Hebron Avenue has seen quite the facelift in recent years in terms of shopping and dining options. It's grown into a shopping hub that takes after other main streets in quintessential Connecticut towns. Less than a mile from the Connecticut River, small plazas host highly-rated restaurants, including Bricco Trattoria. According to Lapore, "The new location opened after the main restaurant started in West Hartford. Chef Billy Grant decided to create a location east of the river." Fast food restaurants and national chains are around, but Glastonbury Center residents enjoy eating local and often go to The Beamhouse for an upscale bite. Focused on craft and creating a flavorful rotating menu, “The team [at The Beamhouse] is very talented and hardworking,” says owner John Lynch. “We pride ourselves on using the freshest ingredients and work with many great local farms.” The Beamhouse is in the historic location of an old tannery from the 1800s and takes its name from the section of a tannery where hides are prepared for the tanning process. In Putnam Bridge Plaza, big box stores and grocers provide locals everyday shopping.
Practicing a sport at Riverfront Park
Neighbors are regularly out and about at nearby Riverfront Park, utilizing the ample greenspaces and fields the park offers. In addition to lush green soccer and lacrosse fields, a tennis court, playground and walking trails bring in locals looking for exercise. Right along the Connecticut River, the boat launch gives easy access for those looking to jet out on a kayak or canoe. Connected to the park through the densely wooded trails is the Glastonbury Dog Park. The extended, narrow, fenced-in area is a busy spot for playing fetch and letting canine friends expel some energy. Earle Park is on the southern end of the neighborhood. The park has no athletic fields or play equipment but offers plenty of exercise and adventure with its heavily wooded walking trails that lead to wood bridges, streams and scenic river lookouts.
Festivals for over 60 years
Glastonbury Center has a proud community that hosts cultural events like Glastonbury Arts' On the Green Fine Art and Craft Show. Handmade crafts and fine art pieces from local artists fill the booths and tents of the event at this longstanding art show; it's been a favorite community event since 1962. Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival, called Apple Fest by locals, is on many residents' calendars. Held in Riverfront Park, the annual festival begins in October, and the three-day extravaganza features local music acts, carnival rides and food – especially apple-flavored treats.
A short drive from Hartford
Bordered by Route 2, Glastonbury Center has many on-ramps and access points to the main road that provide a quick commute to Hartford, 8 miles northwest. Limited bus stops are around the shopping and dining hub of the neighborhood, but none are in the residential subdivisions or along side streets. Many residents depend on their cars for running errands and getting to work. Fortunately, most of the area's homes have two- or even three-car attached garages to keep the cars off the streets and out of blizzards in the snowy winters. Bradley International Airport is 20 miles north, and a few hospitals are a short highway drive away in Hartford.
