Thomaston has small-town charm and lower home prices
Thomaston is a spacious community with homes on large lawns, stretches of forest and a river flowing through it. While the town in Litchfield County feels tucked away and remote, larger Connecticut cities with shopping, restaurants and employers are a short drive away. "It's a great spot for first-time homebuyers," says Dawn Ciappetta, team lead at William Raveis, who has been selling real estate in the area for 47 years. "You get a good value there for your money, and it's a small town with little crime."
Colonials from the 1700s and newer homes in subdivisions
Home styles vary greatly in Thomaston, and prices reflect each home's size and age. "There's a good mix of very old homes from the 1700s and 1800s, but also a reasonable number of homes that are only 5 years old," Ciappetta says. "It's a newer community with some oldness spread around for charm." Condos sell between $175,000 and $340,000, while Cape Cods and small colonial homes from over 200 years ago sell between $200,000 and $350,000. Ranch-style homes, bi-levels and split-levels are in the middle for both size and price, ranging from $350,000 to $450,000. Modern Colonial Revivals, farmhouses and new traditional homes are the largest and most expensive, ranging from $450,000 to $640,000. They are often in subdivisions near the forest, while the older homes are concentrated near downtown. The median price in Thomaston is $380,000, more than $200,000 less than nearby Litchfield and Morris. "Homes are very affordable, especially compared to nearby towns," Ciappetta says.
Swimming and camping at state parks and hiking in state forests
Thomaston has a lot of open land and nearby parks for recreation. "There are walking trails all around and reservoirs nearby," Ciappetta says. Black Rock State Park is just beyond Thomaston's border. The park has hiking trails, campsites, cabins, swimming and boating on Black Rock Pond. Nystrom Park has a sandy beach with a designated swimming area, a playground and a rubber track around a big field for soccer or football. Mattatuck State Forest and Humaston Brook State Park are a short drive away.
Earning a high school diploma and an associate's degree at the same time
Black Rock School teaches prekindergarten through third grade and is rated B-minus by Niche. Thomason Center School is for fourth through sixth graders and is also rated B-minus. Thomaston High School is a seventh through twelfth-grade school, rated B. It offers a Career and College Accelerator Program, CCA, where students can earn college credit while earning their diplomas. Some students even earn their associate's degree by the time they graduate high school.
Residents head elsewhere for more retail shopping
Thomaston's small downtown has shops and restaurants along Watertown Road and Main Street. Clocktown Brewing Company takes its name from the area's early history as a clockmaking center. The brewery sells flights of beer and flights of French fries in a large industrial space decorated with clock parts and art. Adams Hometown Market and Dollar General Market are the grocery stores in town, and "People usually head to Plymouth or Bristol for retail shopping," Ciappetta says. "It's easy to get around to different areas of Connecticut from there because of the highways and through streets." Department stores and chain restaurants in Bristol and Waterbury shopping plazas are under 10 miles away.
Major Connecticut cities are within 25 miles
CT Transit's Waterbury 450 bus route services the area from Monday through Friday. However, residents mainly rely on personal cars for commutes. U.S. Route 6 and Connecticut Route 8 intersect in Thomaston and connect the town to larger cities like Waterbury and Hartford, 10 and 25 miles away. Hospitals are in Bristol, Waterbury and Torrington, and Bradley International Airport is 40 miles northeast. Homes around the area's river and streams are vulnerable to flooding and may requite flood insurance.
Themed train rides for holidays and seasons
Thomaston is home to the Railroad Museum of New England, which has a heritage trail between Torrington and New Haven. The museum holds themed passenger trips weekly, and options include Autumn Colors Limited, Santa Express, Leprechaun Express, Tequila Trail and Chocolate Decadence Tour.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
