Are you thinking of moving to Connecticut? I’ve lived in Connecticut for almost two decades now, so I’ve got a good grasp of what life is like in Connecticut. In this article, I’d like to give you a practical look at the pros and cons of living in Connecticut.
I hope this guide will help you make an informed decision about whether Connecticut is the right place for you.
Pros of Living in Connecticut
1. Beaches
Living in Connecticut has its perks, and among them are the beaches. Connecticut, being a coastal state, has miles of beautiful sandy beaches.
While it may not be renowned for its coastal attractions, Connecticut’s beaches hold their own against popular spots like the Hamptons and Cape Cod.
What makes Connecticut beaches particularly appealing is their relative lack of crowds. Unlike some major tourist destinations, Connecticut beaches remain a well-kept secret, primarily frequented by the local residents.
In many coastal Connecticut towns, you’ll find town beaches that double as community gathering spots, where people come together to enjoy sunny summer days and celebrate events like the 4th of July fireworks.
2. No Chain Stores
One of the nice things about living in Connecticut is that it’s a state that truly supports local businesses and local stores. Compared to other states, there aren’t that many retail chain stores and fast food restaurants in Connecticut.
There are also very few malls in Connecticut. Most residents seem to prefer to shop in the local mom and pop stores downtown.
3. Charming Towns
Connecticut is truly beautiful. It’s an older state with historic town centers and beautiful historic homes.
Many Connecticut towns have quaint downtowns primarily centered around a town green. These town greens are community hubs with local mom and pop shops and restaurants surrounding the town green.
If you are a fan of the TV show Gilmore Girls, Stars Hollow although a fictional town, is an accurate depiction of what many Connecticut towns look like.
4. Fall Foliage
Connecticut is one of the most beautiful states for Fall Foliage. Connecticut’s fall foliage is a breathtaking spectacle that draws visitors from near and far.
Connecticut’s fall foliage is a captivating annual display that transforms the state’s landscape. Starting subtly in early September and peaking in mid to late October, the trees burst into brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow, and burgundy.
I love driving through Connecticut during the fall!
5. Great Schools
Connecticut has a reputation for having excellent schools. In fact, Niche.com ranks the Westport Public School District as the #17 Best School District in America.
What sets Connecticut’s schools apart from those in other states is their smaller size and neighborhood focus. This means that students in Connecticut often attend schools close to home, creating a more close-knit learning environment where they don’t get lost in the crowd.
I also find that community support is another strength in Connecticut, notably through engaged Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs).
6. Low Poverty Rate and Higher Income
Compared to the rest of the United States, Connecticut has a lower poverty rate and Connecticut residents have higher income.
The state has a lower poverty rate, standing at 9.8% compared to the national poverty rate of 11.5%. Additionally, the median household income in Connecticut is $83,572, which is higher than the U.S. median of $69,021.
7. Community Oriented Towns
Most Connecticut towns are community-oriented towns.
Many of these towns go the extra mile to make newcomers feel at home by offering Newcomers Clubs.
Additionally, throughout the year, various annual community events bring residents together. These events range from 4th of July fireworks displays to Halloween parades, post-Thanksgiving runs, Sidewalk Sales and holiday strolls, fostering a sense of togetherness among neighbors.
Cons of Living in Connecticut
1. High Property Taxes
Connecticut has the highest property taxes in New England with an effective real-estate tax rate of 2.15%. In fact, it ranks as the state with the 3rd highest property taxes in the United States!
Connecticut is only behind New Jersey and Illinois in property taxes, making Connecticut one of the most expensive places to live in the US.
2. Older Housing Stock
Connecticut is an older state (founded in 1788!) Homes in Connecticut tend to be older colonials and capes. In fact, many homes in Connecticut are historic homes.
Connecticut is a state where it’s rare to find new construction homes and planned communities. Most likely, when you buy a home in Connecticut, you will be buying an older home that has been renovated or you will have to do home renovations to get it to your liking.
3. Traffic Congestion
The traffic congestion on I-95 can get really bad, especially during rush hour.
Living in Connecticut: FAQ
What is the Population of Connecticut?
The population of Connecticut is approximately 3,605,944.
Are Connecticut Residents Well Educated?
39% of Connecticut residents have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. Compare this to overall United States where 32% of residents have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
Is Connecticut Diverse?
80% of Connecticut residents are White, 5% of Connecticut residents are Asians, 17% of Connecticut residents are Hispanic and 12% of Connecticut residents are African Americans.
Are There a Lot of Children Living in Connecticut?
20% of Connecticut residents are children under 18 years old and 5% of Connecticut residents are children under 5 years old. Compare this to overall United States where 22% of United States residents are children under 18 years old.
Is there a Large Senior Citizen Population in Connecticut?
18% of Connecticut residents are seniors aged 65 years old and older. Compare this to overall United States where 17% of residents are seniors aged 65 years old and older.
What is the Median Household Income in Connecticut?
Connecticut has a median household income of $78,444. Compare this to overall United States where the median household income is $62,843.
Are There a Lot of Rentals in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, 34% of housing units are rentals while 66% of housing units in Connecticut are owner occupied.
How Much Is Rent in Connecticut?
The median gross rent in Connecticut is $1,180. Compare this to overall United States where the median gross rent is $1,062.
What is the Median Home Value in Connecticut?
The Median Home Value of owner-occupied homes in Connecticut is $275,400.
How Long is the Average Commute to Work for Connecticut Residents?
The mean travel time to work for Connecticut residents is 27 minutes. Compare this to overall United States where the average time to work is 27 minutes.
How Big is Connecticut?
Connecticut is 4,842.36 square miles.
How Many Counties are there in Connecticut?
There are eight counties in Connecticut. The largest county in Connecticut is Fairfield County which is located in the southern most part of the state, closest to New York.
- Fairfield County
- Hartford County
- Litchfield County
- Middlesex County
- New Haven County
- New London County
- Tolland County
- Windham County
Connecticut Cities and Towns
Connecticut’s capital is Hartford. Connecticut’s largest cities are Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Stamford and Waterbury.
Transportation
Metro-North train is a popular mode of transportation between New York’s Grand Central to New Haven. Many residents of lower Fairfield County commute to New York City’s Grand Central Terminal daily for work. Residents take the Metro-North New Haven Line. There are also Metro-North branches serving New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury. Metro-North Train station parking is challenging for many commuters with a multi-year waitlist for several popular stations.
Which Fairfield County Metro-North Train Stations have the Most trains to NYC?
Insider’s Guide to Parking at the Greenwich Metro-North Train Station
How long are the waitlists for Metro-North Train Station Parking in Fairfield County, Connecticut?
Schools in Connecticut
Connecticut public school districts are run by the Connecticut State Board of Education. Westport School District and New Canaan School District are top-ranking school districts in the country. Connecticut is also home to several top-ranking private schools in the country.
What are the Private Schools in Connecticut?
- Choate Rosemary Hall
- Hotchkiss School
- The Loomis Chaffee School
- Hopkins School
- The Taft School
- Greenwich Academy
- Brunswick School
Connecticut Taxes
Connecticut property taxes vary by town. Each town sets its own mill rate which is the multiplier used to determine Property Taxes. Connecticut Real Estate taxes are calculated based on the assessment value of the property multiplied by the town’s mill rate divide by 1000.
How to calculate Property taxes in Connecticut?
How to Appeal your Connecticut Property Taxes
Connecticut Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculator
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Richest Lake Towns in Connecticut
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Data Source: US Census American Community Survey