Wolcott blends city convenience and natural scenery
Spacious properties, countryside scenery and a quiet lifestyle draw homebuyers to the Connecticut town of Wolcott. "It's a suburban area, but it's close enough to a big city like Waterbury for everything they need, whether it be shopping, health care or anything," says Lana Ogrodnik, an affiliate broker at Showcase Realty with nearly 40 years of experience. "People are attracted to it for the school system and the country lifestyle. It's far enough but also close enough." A mix of subdivisions and rural homes make up Wolcott, with dense forest surrounding the community. Parks and lakes add to the area's natural setting, making it a quiet retreat just minutes from Waterbury.
Suburban homes with large yards and quiet streets
Ranch-style homes and split-levels line the suburban street of Wolcott. Cape Cods and other cottages are also common. Properties are often a quarter-acre or more. The large yards have tall, leafy trees that offer shade in the summer and bright shades of orange in the fall. There aren't many sidewalks, but the wide, quiet streets provide room for a stroll through the neighborhood. Larger properties include Colonial Revivals and Craftsman homes on lots of anywhere from 1 to 12 acres. These houses are often on winding country roads and rolling hills with dense foliage. The median sales price is around $370,000, higher than Waterbury's median of $270,000. The town's CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10 is lower than the national average of 4.
Sports, playgrounds and boating at town parks
Several parks around Wolcott offer a variety of recreation opportunities. Woodtick Reservoir is a 121-acre pond open for boating and fishing. Visitors can launch canoes, kayaks and electric motorboats from a boat ramp at the end of Scoville Road. The Woodtick Recreation Center at the reservoir's south end has a beach open seasonally for swimming and picnicking. Peterson Park is a 65-acre site with several sports facilities, including tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. It also has a skate park and playground. The 42-mile Mattatuck Trail begins here and leads northwest to Mohawk Mountain, where it meets the Appalachian Trail. Skiers and snowboarders can visit Mount Southington each winter. This ski area has 14 trails with terrain suitable for beginners and experts.
Locally owned restaurants and stores line Wolcott Road
Most of the community's shopping and dining is centered along Wolcott Road in the heart of town. There are several restaurants. There's Bill & Sam's, which is more of a breakfast and lunch type place that people like to go," says Ogrodnik. The casual diner is known for its classic breakfast food and reasonable prices. Zuppa Unique Italian Pub is another spot recommended by Ogrodnik, serving traditional Italian fare and a weekly prime rib special. Groceries are available at Pat's IGA on Wolcott Road. More shopping is available at big-box stores just across the Waterbury city line, including Walmart and Target.
Students can explore STEM, culinary and health careers
Wolcott Public Schools serves the area and receives an A-minus rating from Niche. The district's lone high school, Wolcott High School, earns a B-plus. Students can earn college credit through programs like the University of Connecticut Early College Experience and dual enrollment courses with Tunxis Community College. The school also offers career and technical education programs in culinary, education, health science and STEM.
Country Fair offers carnival fun and offbeat entertainment
The Wolcott Country Fair takes place every August at the fairgrounds on Wolcott Road. The event features typical fair activities like carnival rides and live music. Other entertainment includes equestrian competitions and a blindfolded golf cart race.
Route 69 offers easy access to nearby city
Wolcott Road, also known as Connecticut Route 69, is the main road through town. It leads about 6 miles southwest into Waterbury. Hartford is about 24 miles northeast of town, while New Haven is about 34 miles away. The closest hospital is Saint Mary's, about 5 miles away in Waterbury.
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Matthew Atkins
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