2023 Best Places to Raise a Family in Connecticut

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: I have loved living in Riverside CT but there are some downsides. With this said, the pros outweigh the cons by a lot. The schools, the nature and the proximity of each area is beyond perfect and very beneficial. With this said, there are many stores that are just beyond unaffordable but after a while you become accustomed to it. Overall I have had a good life living in Riverside... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 9,133

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 4.56 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: Old Greenwich is an incredible community — the absolute best in Connecticut. Safe, picturesque with highly regarded schools, Old Greenwich is an absolute treasure for those raising a family. There is a real sense of community making it town like no other. 40 minutes to Manhattan makes this town easily accessible to the world’s financial district and some of the most prestigious multinational business organizations. Real estate in town tends to range from $1.5M to around $8M making it a very expensive place to live, however, the personal and family-oriented benefits entirely outweigh the costs. Simply put: Old Greenwich is a community worth experiencing!... Read 9 reviews

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• Population 6,929

• Suburb of Hartford, CT

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  Rating 4.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: It’s really a very nice area. It’s part of Simsbury and the people are very nice and polite here. Maybe too polite. Very little to no bullying in the schools. Lots of trees and landscape is very beautiful and tasteful. Simsbury shopping area is very nice as well. Plenty of restaurants to choose from. Most homeowners take pride in their properties.... Read 5 reviews

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• Population 2,179

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: Best part of Greenwich. Hands down!! Good school. Beautiful. Nice, not snobby people. Great restaurants. Walkable.... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 2,940

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: We moved here about 5 years ago and love Cos Cob, it feels a bit more low key than other parts of Greenwich, with a fabulous little ‘town’ area that has a great cheese shop, home shops and restaurants (love Louies, Roost, and Coast) and very “central” with easy access to the beach in OG and Greenwich Ave in either direction. We love the views of Mianus river and easy access to hiking trails. We are in North Street school district which we have heard very good things about and there are a lot of young families nearby. Just in the last year 3 young families moved onto our block. Real estate, while still very expensive, feels like you get a bit more than you would in OG and Riverside (without some of the flooding issues in those neighborhoods) and there are more newer builds it seems. All in all, we are loving Cos cob!... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 7,089

• Town in Connecticut

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  Rating 4.12 out of 5  196 reviews

Current Resident: The reviews on Niche for West Hartford helped tremendously in helping us decide to move here back in 2018, and now that we’ve celebrated our 5 year anniversary, it felt only right to hop back on here and write a review of my own! I absolutely LOVE this town. WeHa seriously has it all : amazing restaurants, culture, great schools, shopping, concerts/theatre, parks, trails (bike and walking) - but most importantly, community. That was big on our list. Everyone is so welcoming, supportive and neighborly. I also love that it’s a walkable town. Moving from NYC, that was a big deal for us. Don’t think twice about moving here. Just do it!... Read 196 reviews

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• Population 64,034

• Suburb of Hartford, CT

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Very good place to live because it is so close to the center of town where everything is happening. The stores in the center are great and the food places are fun to hang around in. 10/10 great neighborhood as well.... Read 1 review

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• Population 8,187

• Suburb of Hartford, CT

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  Rating 4.75 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: Peaceful, Rural feeling but equally close to Simsbury proper and Avon, Canton. Absolutely the best part of Simsbury.... Read 12 reviews

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• Population 3,005

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: Southport is the most beautiful and charming town. It is upscale with a small quaint village with a handful of great restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques etc. It’s very walkable from downtown to the harbor to the beach. There are 2 beautiful beaches, Southport and Sasco Hill that are small and intimate. The residents are friendly and laid back. They care about the environment and preserving the beauty of the towns charm. Southport is a quiet gem of a town... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 1,719

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  30 reviews

Current Resident: My overall experience in Weston has been positive. I've lived in Weston since I was in first grade, so it's essentially all I've known, and it's been a great place to grow up. WHS places an emphasis on providing a high-quality education, and encourages its students to evolve as learners. While there are many outstanding teachers in Weston, there are also a few who fall short, which can diminish the overall experience. Many students share the feeling that the district tends to be less responsive when it comes to addressing teacher-related concerns, and there's a prevailing feeling of being overlooked by the administration, with student opinions often going disregarded. As a senior, I've observed that the recent school policies at WHS may not be entirely considerate of the unique challenges faced by our generation. It can be disheartening to feel overlooked, especially when it seems that these policies are primarily punitive rather than constructive, doing little to enhance student life.... Read 30 reviews

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• Population 10,339

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  91 reviews

Works Here: Greenwich is a charming and safe town that sits by the sound. Because Greenwich is a pretty big town, It's made of 6 areas: Cos Cob, Old Greenwich, Riverside, Glenville, Byram, and Greenwich downtown. Then there is also back-country where all of the beautiful Mansions live. Since Greenwich is very wealthy, the town is well taken care of-- the roads are free from manholes, no trash littered on the ground, and a prodigious public education. Not to mention, the security and safety precautions that are taken here! I feel safe walking the streets at night, and our police and fire department work tirelessly to keep this place safe. Overall, Greenwich is a great place to live in, especially for the younger kids; they can attain a really good education, not have to worry about them letting hurt, and letting them go the near by beach!... Read 91 reviews

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• Population 63,455

• Suburb of Hartford, CT

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  Rating 3.69 out of 5  65 reviews

Current Resident: Avon is a wonderful town with lots of fun things to do. The views of hills and mountain landscapes are breathtaking and never get old. It’s not too busy of a city, but not too remote either. I have enjoyed the past few years of living in Avon!... Read 65 reviews

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• Population 18,821

• Suburb of Hartford, CT

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Former Resident: Wonderful riverside former factory town. Very quiet and homey. Lots to do in summer. Kayaking a tubing on the river.... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 3,551

• Neighborhood in Stamford, CT

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  Rating 3.73 out of 5  49 reviews

Current Resident: It is a welcoming neighborhood in the center of stamford with quick access to grocery stores, schools, and pretty much anything u may need.... Read 49 reviews

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• Population 19,149

Current Resident: Ridgefield is alive with the Arts, has an excellent library and Recreational Center! It promotes wellness of the whole person, both physically and intellectually. There are many community activities with parades, crafts, sports, and competitions. It is almost completely crime-free but also has an excellent police presence. The public school system is excellent, and there are numerous good private schools available, as well. Because it is a small town, the shopping opportunities are limited to small boutique shops; therefore, one must drive to nearby towns to shop for essentials or visit a Mall. For example, there is only one grocery store, a small hardware store, and no drive -through restaurants. The pace of life here is slow and easy, with a 25MPH-30MPH speed limit. Property taxes are high, although less expensive than nearby upscale Fairfield County towns. Still, there is good value in real estate here because it is considered a very desirable place to live.... Read 128 reviews

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• Population 25,053

Current Resident: Just relocated to Higganum, find it to be a very pleasant place to reside. Love that it is so rural yet only 15 to 20 minutes away from shopping. The people here are very friendly .... Read 10 reviews

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• Population 1,833

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 4.21 out of 5  52 reviews

Current Resident: My overall experience with Westport, Connecticut has been very positive. I have had the pleasure of visiting this beautiful town on numerous occasions and each time I have had a wonderful experience. The town offers so much in terms of outdoor activities, from shopping and dining, to nature walks and outdoor sports. The people are polite and friendly, making it easy to make friends and socialize. The town is well-kept and clean, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy yourself. I have enjoyed my time in Westport, Connecticut, and would be recommended it to anyone looking for a great place to visit.... Read 52 reviews

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• Population 28,016

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 4.18 out of 5  45 reviews

Current Resident: Wilton is gorgeous! It is well known for having excellent schools with truly impressive music programs. Wilton is ranked 6th most affluent town in CT. Most of the houses are HUGE, and 2+ acres away from each other in the woods. On Zillow you can usually find lots of houses with pools, tennis courts, expansions, and some have detached barns for horses. People love their houses and luxury cars around here. Don't listen to anything you may hear about Wilton being snobby, or people seeming unfriendly. Wiltonians are mostly New York area transplants who moved for the schools, and the peace and quiet. Downtown has shops for all your essentials, as well as some great local favorite restaurants. We are close to New Canaan and Westport which have more shopping and restaurant options. Though lots of people from surrounding neighboring towns drive to Wilton for our restaurants. Overall Wilton is a very safe family friendly town with gorgeous landscape and excellent schools.... Read 45 reviews

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• Population 18,486

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 2.69 out of 5  65 reviews

Current Resident: Easton is a wonderful place to live. The schools cater to children's varying needs, and the high school prepares students well for college. The town's rural setting and slower pace of life are perfect for those who enjoy a quiet lifestyle. Housing options can be limited, but the low crime rate and abundance of farms make up for it. Greisers, a little coffee shop, is a must-visit, it's like Cheers, where everyone knows your name! Politics in Easton are accepting of both sides. It has public meeting style government and I find it fascinating. There are plenty characters here for sure, but I see that as a positive. Lastly, it's a great place to raise children with friendly people, strong schools, and natural beauty.... Read 65 reviews

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• Population 7,602

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• Population 1,412

• Suburb of Hartford, CT

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  Rating 4.12 out of 5  78 reviews

Current Resident: Farmington, Connecticut is a rare American gem. Stunningly beautiful with old-New England charm, this town is replete with large homes, well-educated professionals, beautiful golf courses, parks, and Winding Trails lake and camp. The schools are top-notch and many high income, professionals who could readily afford to send their children to private schools choose to send their children to the public schools. A new high school is being built. The town and public schools are very diverse. The community is warm and safe. The homes have sufficient yards and space, with beautiful gardens and landscaping. It is located just fifteen minutes or so to fine dining in West Hartford and ten minutes to the West Farm’s mall. UConn Health Center is in Farmington if you ever needed to get to a hospital. Hartford Hospital is only twenty or so minutes away. Miss Porter’s School, a famous and historic private girls’ high school is located in Farmington. This town is a rare slice of Heaven.... Read 78 reviews

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• Population 26,559

Current Resident: Orange is a great place to raise a family. Excellent schools, convenient shopping, tons of activities, a large variety of restaurants and a car or train ride to Boston and New York. Orange also has more than 1000 acres of open space for recreational activities. Housing is expensive and taxes are moderate. As we say, “Orange is appealing!”... Read 50 reviews

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• Population 14,225

• Suburb in Connecticut

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  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: I’ve loved living in Byram! It’s very safe with neighbors who have lived in the same home for decades. It is a coastal community, where you can walk to the beach for an afternoon. It’s very walkable, especially along by Byram Shore Road if you’d like some exercise or to many of the restaurants on Mill Street or in Port Chester. It’s really the best deal in Greenwich. Close to highways, and the Port Chester MetroNorth station. While some parts of the neighborhood still need to be spiffed up, there are many nice homes, and is an overall cozy place to live.... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 4,994

• Suburb of Hartford, CT

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  92 reviews

Former Resident: I grew up here, and just moved out for college. It’s okay, but very boring. There’s a lot of rich snobs, especially towards the south end where most of the wealth is concentrated, and kids can be a bit classist. Some farms, low crime rate (though I once got jumped for being queer)- anyone who says there’s no crime rate at all has not experienced enough. Most people at the school do some type of drug. Teachers are a hit or a miss. In general, alright experience... Read 92 reviews

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• Population 35,061

• Suburb of Hartford, CT

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  Rating 4.08 out of 5  89 reviews

Current Resident: I moved to Simsbury 15 years ago with my husband and young kids. We found the community welcoming and friendly and the people down to earth and understated. We feel we've made quality, lasting friendships. The town is very family-friendly. The schools here, both public and private, are fantastic. Recreation opportunities abound, with walking/hiking trails throughout the town, bike path, parks, fantastic town rec facility with pool, ice rink, golf, tennis, paddle, basketball courts, playground, etc. There's a nice selection of restaurants throughout town, ranging from casual to upscale, ethnic options, vegan/gluten-free places. Drive time to Hartford is about 25 min. Simsbury has about 25,000 residents, but it has a surprisingly small-town feel. We truly love our lifes here!... Read 89 reviews

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• Population 24,467