New Britain

With easy access to Interstate 84 and an abundance of open space, Farmington is a quiet, commuter-friendly town. Although it's close to the interstate, the town doesn't suffer from an abundance of noise pollution. "Farmington is right on 84, and even if you're commuting to New York, it's convenient to live there,” says Kathy Murphy, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Legacy Partners. "Especially in New England, I think the most valuable real estate is near the major highways." Like in much of the country, the housing market in Connecticut is tight. If a house in a town like Farmington goes up for sale, with easy access to highways and open land, expect it to go fast. One of the most famous houses in town is a 21-bed, 39-bath, almost 52,000-square-foot mega-mansion owned by ex-boxer Mike Tyson and recently by rapper 50 Cent. While most Farmington residents may not be looking for a palatial mansion, there are many million-dollar-plus homes on the market. Buyers can find more modest homes ranging from $210,000 to $500,000 for 3-4 bath and bed setups. Some of the houses with the most character can be found in the town's historic district, in the heart of Farmington. The historic district’s streets are lined with stately homes set back on spacious, neatly trimmed lawns. Traditional New England styles such as Cape Cod, Saltbox and colonial revival are prevalent in this area. Outside of the historic district, numerous mini-mansions, sprawling new traditional estates and even smaller brick ranch-style builds can be found across Farmington. Many residents put a lot of care and effort into their homes, and one can see that walking past the manicured yards and landscaping. "Farmington has a distinct historic district," Murphy says. "They've been able to maintain it by being very careful about zoning." Residents and visitors alike can visit the Hill-Stead Museum, a colonial revival-style home built in 1901 that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum has a collection of impressionist paintings by artists like Claude Monet and Edgar Degas, and guests can attend events hosted by the museum like the nationally acclaimed Sunken Garden Poetry Festival. While there is a wide variety of highly rated private schools nearby, the public options in the neighborhood are also stellar. Many young students start out with grades K-4 at Noah Wallace School, before moving up to West Woods Upper Elementary for 5th and 6th grade. Both schools receive an A rating from Niche. For 7th and 8th grade, many students move up to Irving A. Robbins Middle, which also gets an A rating from Niche. Farmington High houses almost 1,300 students from grades 9-12 and earns a stellar A-plus grade from Niche. Miss Porter's School is a prominent all-girls college preparatory boarding school in the center of town that's been open since 1843. This prestigious institution has had many influential graduates such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. While there are limited dining and shopping options considering the spacious layout of Farmington, residents will find all they need on a weekly basis. George’s Pizza & Restaurant is a highly rated local option for Italian fare, with an extensive menu and large portions. For groceries and other essentials, Stop & Shop is wedged in between Farmington Avenue and the Farmington River. The Tunxis Country Club and The Country Club of Farmington are situated in the middle of the neighborhood, just off the historic district. The two clubs are divided by the Farmington River. These are both popular places to golf unique, challenging courses along the river. Meadow Land is a spacious expanse of fields and walking paths next to the golf courses, sitting along the Farmington River. Visitors can drop a canoe or kayak in the river, take a dip and swim around, or float down the river on a sunny afternoon. Residents of this community have the outdoors right in their backyard, and plenty of wide-open spaces to enjoy. The popular Farmington Canal Heritage Trail runs through town, providing access to towns in New England stretching all the way down to New Haven. Farmington’s proximity to the highway, easy access to the surrounding area, different types of employment, calm historic center and natural beauty all make the town a community worth exploring. Downtown Hartford is less than 10 miles to the east, while Bristol is just over 10 miles to the west. Bus lines run on Farmington Avenue, offering residents a car-free option along the community’s main artery.