CT Magazine - ranks towns under 10,000 population

[NewJeffCT]

Unfortunately, I left the magazine at home. But, my post on the towns & cities over 10,000 seemed to generate a decent amount of response before... But, if you see it on the newstands, it's pretty informative if you live in CT or are considering moving here.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=2329

[madinmaryland]

1. I lived in CT for 20 years and

would be interested in reading these articals. Do you have access to this?

[NewJeffCT]

2. Access yes, but it is not online

I'm guessing they won't put it online until the Fall of this year. It took them about 6 months to get the big town survey online.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

7. That's a shame.

I would have liked to read the article. It is very likely that we will be moving to CT in June (we will know for sure in May).

I found the info about the larger towns though. :)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=2329&pag=460&dept_ID=487245

[Redstone]

3. I dunno about that...

I've found the CT Magazine rankings to be quite a bit at odds with my own observations of CT towns I've lived in or frequented over the years.

Also, they are VERY heavily biased (because of the statistical bases of some of their categories) toward towns where it's impossible to buy a house unless you're very wealthy. I don't think that reflects the true character of towns; of COURSE Greenwich is going to rank higher in these ratings than, say, Norwich.

Has anyone else? Or is it just me? (OK to tell me if it's just me; I won't get insulted.)

[NewJeffCT]

4. housing costs

Actually, housing costs count against Greenwich...It's one of the lowest on the affordability scale.

However, for a city of its size, it has good public schools (as do West Hartford & Fairfield among the top cities), a lot of businesses and a low crime rate in comparison with other cities in their category. The thing that gets me is that towns like Greenwich, Westport, Wilton, Weston, Ridgefield, Simsbury, etc all have very good public school systems, yet many in those towns can afford to send their kids to posh private schools if they so chose.

While it's not a perfect system, I think it does a decent job.

[connecticut yankee]

5. If you notice --

the towns that come in highest in the "Education" column, come out the lowest in the one for "Cost."

They usually have the highest cost per pupil expenditures, which brings up their taxes. Conversely, because they rank so high in education, it brings up their desirability as a community, and thus the housing costs.

[NewJeffCT]

6. Some town ratings

In the 6,500 to 10,000 population range, Redding easily beat #2 Easton, being better than Easton in each categoy.

In the 3,500 to 6,500 range, Sherman's high leisure rating allowed it to beat out #2 Bethany.

In the under 3,500 range, Norfolk's #1 rating in leisure allowed it to beat #2 Union.

Best schools in each category: Redding, Easton & #7 overall Canton are 1, 2 and 3 in the biggest; #8 Middlebury, Bethany and #12 Middlefield are 1, 2 and 3 in the middle category; and #6 overall Lyme, #17 Barkhamstead and Norfolk are 1, 2 and 3 in the smallest.

[CTyankee]

8. Speaking of Union, CT

does anyone visit the Traveler's Book Store and Restaurant off Rt. 84, where you get a free used book with your meal? It's a neat place. My spouse and I go for midmorning breakfast on our way to Boston to see the grandkids. It's diner fare, but for a hearty breakfast at a decent price and friendly wait staff, it's great. Dig the letters from authors the restaurant owners had written to, asking for their bio. They are displayed on the walls. Also, dig the '70s decor and feel of the place. Nice.