North Branford offers quaint living close to New Haven
Less than 10 miles from New Haven, North Branford offers forested homes and quaint living while staying close to some of Connecticut’s most popular attractions. “You’re in a more secluded part of the state, but still less than 30 minutes from the beach and New Haven,” says Eileen Smith, a Realtor with Pearce Real Estate, who’s been selling homes in the area since 1992. Homes can sit along winding country roads with several acres of land or can be neatly arranged in subdivisions. Lake Gaillard is in the area’s center and provides drinking water to most of New Haven County, but anyone looking for some space to play can visit beaches in Branford or nearby lakes.
Mix of traditional and contemporary styles
Homebuyers can find ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and colonials from the mid- to late-1900s, as well as contemporary-style homes built in the last 25 years. “As New Haven has gotten more expensive, there’s been a slight uptick in new homes being built here,” says Smith. Houses in subdivisions sit on modestly sized lots, while rural properties usually sit on 1 to 5 acres of land. Smaller and older homes typically sell for around $200,000 to $500,000, while larger and newer houses usually go for $500,000 to $775,000. A few lakeside homes have sold for roughly $940,000 to $1 million.
Good school ratings, close to Yale
Students may start at Totoket Valley Elementary School, which earns a B-plus from Niche, before going to North Branford Intermediate School, which gets a B-minus. North Branford High School receives a B and has a lower than average student-to-teacher ratio of eight-to-one. Yale University, one of eight Ivy League schools in the country, is less than 10 miles west in New Haven.
Commuting down Route 1 or I-95
Commuters can drive 10 miles along U.S. Route 1 or Interstate 95 to New Haven. The trip takes about 20 minutes with easy traffic, though morning traffic can extend the trip to about 30 minutes. Yale New Haven Hospital is about 12 miles west, while Tweed New Haven Airport is 10 miles south. The only bus stops in North Branford are along U.S. Route 80, where CT Transit buses run from downtown New Haven to Branford Intermediate School.
Shopping and dining on Route 80
Along Route 80, there are popular local restaurants like Nataz, which offers a four-course fixed-price dinner menu. Customers pay a set price that covers all four courses. Doody's Totoket Inn has been open since 1934, and the restaurant is known for its cocktail and entree menu. Doody's often hosts the Crafters Care event in October, bringing in over 50 local artisan vendors to raise money for The Food Pantry of North Brandford. Residents can pick up groceries at Big Y World Class Market or fresh produce at Rose Orchards. There are also more stores and restaurants in nearby Branford and New Haven.
Neighborhood parks with annual events and beaches nearby
Totoket Valley Park features baseball fields, and the park is home to the North Branford Potato and Corn Festival every August. The event, which has taken place for over 20 years, often includes amusement rides, food vendors and entertainment. The fenced-in Northford Dog Park is up the road. Just west of North Branford is Hansen Park, a hiking area with a 1.5-mile hiking trail. Branford, less than 10 miles south of the area, has sandy beaches, marinas and boat launches that lead out to the Long Island Sound.
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
