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Behind the Rocks

Behind the Rocks

$294,665 Average Value
$220 Average Price per Sq Ft
6 Homes For Sale

Location and value in Behind the Rocks

Behind the Rocks takes its curious name from the basalt ridge running along its eastern border, which once served as a quarry. But with the growth of the residential community and neighboring Trinity College, the quarry was converted into a public park. Today, residents are drawn here for its cultural diversity, lower costs and its excellent location in Hartford, less than 4 miles from downtown.

Behind the Rocks in Hartford has a mixture of multi-family and single-family homes.
Behind the Rocks in Hartford has a mixture of multi-family and single-family homes.
Trinity College is located at the eastern edge of Behind the Rocks.
Trinity College is located at the eastern edge of Behind the Rocks.
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A diverse, tight-knit community that knows how to celebrate together

Behind the Rocks is a vibrant neighborhood. “Behind the Rocks, and the South End in general, tends to be more appealing than neighborhoods in the North End in that it has a lot more diversity and culture,” says Norm Hamilton, a Realtor at NextHome Elite Realty who sold homes here for 20 years. It’s also a tight-knit community where people gather frequently. “They have cookouts with one another,” says Hiram Colon, a real estate professional at Real Broker who grew up in the neighborhood and has sold homes here for nine years. “That’s where some of your longest-serving people live. You see these homeowners that, whether they’re renting or they’re homeowners, they stay all that time because of the fact that they take pride in their community. They won’t change it for anything.”

Residents gather for celebrations like the Three Kings Day Parade. In early January, it honors the wise men who offered gifts to baby Jesus. “They have live camels and they have the three kings riding the camels,” Colon says, adding that the parade starts at Park and Main streets. “Usually, they’re community leaders — sometimes the mayor will get up there on the camel.” At the parade’s end, the community offers gifts to local children. Locals also head to bigger citywide celebrations like:

  • The Puerto Rican Day Parade
  • The Great Hartford Festival of Jazz
  • The Hartford Latina Festival

Grants help buyers afford homes and renovations

Behind the Rocks has many multi-family homes and a smaller collection of single-family Cape Cods, but Colon says grant programs for first-time homebuyers draw many to the area. The Time to Own program offers up to $25,000 of grants if homebuyers stay in their new home for a certain amount of time, and he says others allow residents to put the difference between their pre-approval amount and purchase price into renovations. It makes multi-family units make sense even for first-time homebuyers. “They’ll often live in it and rent out the rest,” Colon says. “Most first-time homebuyer programs require that you occupy one unit in the multi-family market. Some of them don’t want to rent to a tenant, they want to keep it in the family, so they’ll rent it to the family.”

Multi-family homes typically cost between the high $200,000s and high $500,000s, while smaller single-families range from the mid-$100,000s to the mid-$300,000s. The area’s median home price falls in the mid-$200,000s, which is a little higher than the median in North End and Barry Square but much lower than that of West End. “Homes also hold property values better than in the North End. From a real estate point of view, you can see the difference,” Hamilton says.

Most single-family homes in Behind the Rocks are Cape Cods.
Most single-family homes in Behind the Rocks are Cape Cods.
Buyers often opt for multi-family properties.
Buyers often opt for multi-family properties.
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CTfastrack is Connecticut's first Bus Rapid Transit system for its residents.
CTfastrack is Connecticut's first Bus Rapid Transit system for its residents.

Easy access to bus and CTfastrak lines, driving into Downtown Hartford

Public transportation is a huge part of life here thanks to CTfastrak, a rapid-transit bus line that runs along western part of the neighborhood between Hartford and New Britain. “It gets people places faster because they’re not sitting in traffic; they have their own line of transportation where they have almost like train tracks,” Colon says. “Bussing is huge there and it’s so accessible.” Multiple CTtransit bus routes pass through the neighborhood, and those who work or attend classes at Trinity College can easily walk to campus. Most residents still have cars for longer trips, and Behind the Rocks has easy access to Interstate 84. The under 4-mile drive into Downtown Hartford takes about 15 minutes.

Local restaurants and shops line Zion Street and New Britain Avenue

Eateries along Zion Street and New Britain Avenue are full of local flavor. “Piolin’s been in the area since before I even came to Connecticut,” Hamilton says. “I like the pollo a la brasa. It’s like rotisserie chicken with Peruvian spices. And I like the chaufa de pollo, which is like chicken fried rice.” American & Mexican Diner and Coyote Flaco are other popular options. Shopping centers in and around the community provide groceries and essentials within a few miles from home.

Walmart Supercenter offers essentials right in Behind the Rocks.
Walmart Supercenter offers essentials right in Behind the Rocks.
People love coming to CTown Supermarket for its variety in Behind the Rocks.
People love coming to CTown Supermarket for its variety in Behind the Rocks.
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Local parks offer fields, pools and spaces for team sports

Thomas J. Hyland Memorial Park is a popular spot for many residents, offering athletic spaces for soccer, football and baseball. Pope Park also hosts practices and games for local teams, and its recreation center has indoor and outdoor pools.

People enjoy riding bicycles in Pope Park in Behind the Rocks.
People enjoy riding bicycles in Pope Park in Behind the Rocks.
Welcome to Park River Greenway, located near Behind the Rocks.
Welcome to Park River Greenway, located near Behind the Rocks.
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School choice options available through Hartford Public Schools

Behind the Rocks is served by Hartford Public Schools. District choice placement allows residents to choose in-zone schools like Hartford Public High School or A.I. Prince Technical School, but they can apply to inter-district magnet schools or neighboring public schools through the Open Choice Program.

McDonough Middle School serves many students in the Behind the Rocks neighborhood of Hartford.
McDonough Middle School serves many students in the Behind the Rocks neighborhood of Hartford.
Older students often attend Hartford Public High School.
Older students often attend Hartford Public High School.
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Christina Norwood
Written By
Christina Norwood
Carlos Medina-Santiago
Photography Contributed By
Carlos Medina-Santiago
Barry Ridgeway
Video By
Barry Ridgeway

Agents Specializing in Behind the Rocks, CT

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Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Bradley International

37 min drive

Bus

Overlook Ter & Hartford Housing Authority

Bus

Hillside Ave & Arnold St

Bus

Brookfield St & Nilan St

Bus

New Britain Ave & Zion St

Bus

Hillside Ave & Allendale Rd

Bus

Brookfield St & A I Prince Tech

Bus

New Britain Ave & 503 New Britain Ave

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Behind the Rocks US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,195
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1941
Months of Supply
2.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,256
Significantly below the national average
1,934
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,828
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,190
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
645
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
13
Median Rent
$1,600
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,925
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$2,225
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,590
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$1,600
Median Condo Rent
$1,500
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,500

Demographics

Total Population
8,061
Median Age
36
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.8%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$46,199
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$63,129

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
71.4%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
9.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.1%
% Population in Labor Force
61.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
28''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

60 / 100

Moderately walkable

Walkability®

60 / 100

Some public transit

Transit®

50 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Behind the Rocks