WEST HARTFORD--Good schools, plentiful jobs, affordable housing, and a little something extra to make it special. Those are all factors that MONEY magazine, a subsidiary of TIME, used to pick its 2016 top 50 places to live in America.
First place was given to Columbia, Maryland, but some Connecticut towns did make the list. In fact, three did.
The top place in our state went to West Hartford, which came in 15th place due to its various amenities: "two public golf courses, a skating rink multiple pools, and America's oldest public rose garden (at Elizabeth Park)."
Besides the obvious, the incredible school district helped the ranking, as did the town itself. Blue Back Square and the rest of West Hartford Town Center are known for their charm, including red-brick sidewalks and tons of restaurants and shops to peruse. There's also the Playhouse on Park, which is "the crowning jewel of the community, turning it from a good place to live into a destination for art lovers," according to MONEY.
As we move further down the list we come across a town known for its natural beauty and higher education: Hamden. "The Land of the Sleeping Giant" boasts both a suburban feeling while maintaining its urban roots with its proximity to New Haven. There's also the collegiate factor, thanks to the prestigious Quinnipiac University.
What else makes it special? A low crime rate, lots of green space--see: Sleeping Giant State Park, among others--affordable housing and what MONEY calls a great school system.
Last up on the list as far as Connecticut is concerned is Greenwich. Most people know the New York City suburb as a mecca for the wealthy, but it has a lot more to offer, including plenty of jobs, top-rated schools and the gorgeous shoreline. Don't forget the fine dining and boating opportunities on the Long Island Sound!
Read more about the best places to live here.
