Connecticut is an Indian word meaning "beside a long tidal river" -- Indeed, water is seemingly everywhere there. The state is bisected by the Connecticut River, and the Long Island Sound, with its salt-water beaches, borders much of the Southeastern part of the state. Though water dominates, the overall landscape is diverse including the gentle mountains and horse farms in the northwest and lush greenery throughout. What's more, no matter how rural a Connecticut home may feel, it's never far from a big city. Most of the state is a quick drive or train ride into New York City.
Also SeeRetire Here, Not There: State-by-State Forget your parents' retirement destinations. These less-known gems offer lower prices and peppy economies.
But cheap living is not what Connecticut brings to mind. The state has one of the highest median incomes in the nation and areas such as the town of Greenwich and some parts of Fairfield County are famous for their mansions and ritzy shopping. In Greenwich (often dubbed the "hedge fund capital" because so many uber-rich hedge fund managers live and work here) the median home costs over $1 million and the overall cost of living is nearly 150% above the national average. For the state as a whole the average home price is more affordable but still significantly above the national average (at $265,700) and the cost-of-living is 27% higher than average, according to Sperling's Best Places. "It's tough to retire here because of the high cost," says Rosanne Schepis, a client service manager at a financial services firm in Danbury.
However, retirees need not pay Greenwich prices for a lush Connecticut retirement. These four places offer the serenity of the Constitution state at a more reasonable price.
Guilford: For the beachy small-town life By the numbers- Population: 22,288
- Median home cost: $373,700
- Cost of living: 47.1% higher than average
- Unemployment: 6.2%
- Source: Sperling's Best Places
Guilford is a quintessential New England coastal town. An eclectic mix of homes overlook the water and the Town Green -- a lush park lined with offices, shops and restaurants -- is the center of community life. Christmas tree lightings, art fairs and free theatre productions all take place in this old-fashioned square. Guilford is a nice balance of old and new. The third largest collection of pre-Civil War architecture in New England nestles nicely with the new designer clothing shops and top-of-the-line restaurants. At the same time, Guilford is home to a picturesque Long Island Sound shoreline with two large public beaches.
"Guilford's got the bucolic setting that many retirees want with access to the big city," says Janet Testa, the executive director of the Guilford Chamber of Commerce. "You can be picking apples at Bishop's Orchard in the afternoon then head for dinner in New Haven, home to Yale University, just 25 minutes away, says Testa. Guilford is also only 45 minutes from Hartford, the state capital. Here one finds plenty of shopping, restaurants, and a major airport.
And it's not just the exteriors that attract retirees to Guilford. The sense of community is palpable, says Testa. It starts with government that uses volunteers to fill positions on its boards and commissions, she says. Most government spots are filled by volunteers. And Guilford's city gardening club and lighthouse restoration group are also staffed with many volunteers. "Non-profits are our lifeblood here," says Testa. "Retirees get and stay involved."
But living here, like much of coastal Connecticut, isn't cheap. The median homes costs $373,000 and real estate on the water generally comes with a seven figure price-tag. But Connecticut numbers are relative. Those home prices are still 19% less expensive than neighboring coastal town Madison with all the charm.
H. Morrow Long / WikiMedia CommonsVernal pond along the Menunkatuck Trail in the Timberlands, which is forested preserved open space owned by the Town of Guilford and managed by the town's Conservation Committee.
Danbury: For golf enthusiasts who love the city lights By the numbers- Population: 79,424
- Median home cost: $293,700
- Cost of living: 33.7% higher than average
- Unemployment: 8.2%
- Source: Sperling's Best Places
About a half century ago Danbury was the hat-making capital of the country. But the milliners have given way to the duffers now that Danbury is better known for its proximity to the links. Danbury's Richter Park Golf Course was rated one of the top 25 public courses in the country by Golf Digest. Even better, Danbury residents get to play at a significant discount. There are also private courses right in town and a dozens of public and private courses within a short drive. For non-golfers, hiking abounds. Danbury is just 25 minutes from the idyllic Berkshire Mountains and two sprawling state parks.
Danbury is also known for its proximity to New York City, about an hour and a half away by train. "That's a big draw for retirees," says Schepis. And the town itself is no slouch in the culture department thanks to the Ives Center, which hosts music acts, a city orchestra and numerous festivals throughout the year. The area is quite diverse (especially compared to neighboring communities) and houses the largest lake in the state, Candlewood Lake.
This sweet spot of rural beauty and urban proximity, with a low crime rate and lots of housing options, makes for a great Northeast retirement spot. The result? Be prepared for company: The crowds and traffic in Danbury have jumped in recent years, says Schepis.
www.richterpark.comRichter Park Golf Course
Essex: For the maritime lover By the numbers- Population: 6,774
- Median home cost: $392,700
- Cost of living: 47.3% higher than average
- Unemployment: 7.4%
- Source: Sperling's Best Places
This sea captain's town -- once a center for shipping and shipbuilding -- dates back to the 1600's. Essex lies on the Connectuicut River just eight miles from the Long Island Sound. Here one finds sailboats lazily drifting and speed boats cruising on the meandering river. An entire museum is devoted to this waterway (the Connecticut River Museum). Some residents say that having a boat, any boat, even a canoe, is simply a necessity here. That's because from the water one gets the best view of some of the half dozen or so sites that are on the National Register of Historic Places -- many of them maritime related.
Desite the accolades, Essex isn't over-run with tourists. "You don't get the feeling this is a tourist town," says Norman Needleman, the first selectman and member of the Essex Town Hall. There's also great community spirit, he says. Nearly all the boards and commissions in town are filled with volunteers, from the zoning board to the board of finance to the land trust.
And, bird watchers, take note. Bald eagles nest here in the winter. Every February these honored guests are celebrated during the Bald Eagle festival. There's also plenty of lively community theater including the Ivoryton Playhouse, a year-round theater where Marlon Brando and Katharine Hepburn have performed. Keep in mind, this town is tiny -- just over 6,000 residents -- so restaurants and shopping are lacking. New Haven, about an hour and a half away, takes up the slack and also provides an airport and major hospitals.
Getty ImagesConnecticut River Museum
Middletown: For the aging professor By the numbers- Population: 45,617
- Median home cost: $227,000
- Cost of living: 20.8% higher than average
- Unemployment: 8.6%
- Source: Sperling's Best Places
This 360-year-old little town makes our list for three main reasons: It's a college town; it's in a great location and it's well-priced (for Connecticut). Home to Wesleyan University, Middletown has the character, restaurant, shopping and cultural offerings that come with great college towns. There are 35 restaurants -- with cuisine from many countries around the world -- and 40 shops just in the downtown business district (added bonus: the main strip in downtown was voted one of "America's most romantic main streets" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation). Plus, the cultural offerings are top-notch here, including the Center for the Arts at Wesleyan and The Buttonwood Tree, both of which offer hundreds of art, theater and dance events for the community.
The locale -- though tree-filled and tucked away next to the Connecticut River -- is also just 25 minutes from Hartford, the state's capital, and about a half hour from the coast. Right near town, residents have plenty of hiking options, from the Mattabesett Blue Trail, which winds through caves and presents views of the city to the Connecticut aMAIZEing Maze with its two miles of paths through a massive cornfield. Plus, the city's offers a cost of living that's below the state's average and homes that cost a median of just $227,000. But potential residents should beware that the vibe here -- decidedly liberal (Wesleyan students are known for their frequent protests) -- isn't for everyone.
Retirees like it here because the community is close-knit, and they can get very involved in volunteering, especially around the arts, says Stephan Allison, the interim program services manager for the city. There's also a strong AARP group here, he adds, as well as a quality hospital right in town.
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