Best Cities for Young Families in Connecticut - Simsbury #1
Connecticut may be one of the smallest states in the U.S., but it is also one of most educated and it has one of the highest per capita income levels in the nation.
Even though its location, in the middle of the megalopolis between Boston and New York, puts young couples in the right location for a wide range of employment opportunities, there are also significant challenges for families just starting out — mostly affordability. While parts of Connecticut have some of the highest housing costs in the country, NerdWallet found the communities in the Constitution State that offer young families the best combination of solid schools, great neighbors and affordability.
Key takeaways
- Small towns are a good bet. Eight of the top 10 best cities for young families in Connecticut have populations of less than 30,000 residents.
- Schools add value. Even though eight of the top 10 cities have median home prices that are above the state median, the excellent schools help families get a solid return on their housing investment.
- Greater Hartford is a winner. Six of the 10 cities are near Hartford, the state’s capital. This is three more top-ranked Hartford communities compared with our last list.
Best cities for young families in Connecticut
1. Simsbury
A 345-year-old town just outside Hartford, Simsbury takes the top place on our list because it offers young families an outstanding combination of affordability and quality schools. A median household can expect to pay 22% of monthly income on homeownership costs, the lowest in the top 10. It also has a GreatSchools rating of 9 out of 10. Active families will want to get out and play on the 84-mile Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, which runs through Simsbury.