When people think of Connecticut, they often thinking country clubs, private schools, hedge funds, and an extremely high cost of living. And yes, many towns do live up to those stereotypes, but Connecticut is also made up of diverse counties with agricultural and industrial roots, which offer more affordable and less extravagant places to live. Check out this list of the top five least expensive places to buy a home in Connecticut:
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Waterbury
Waterbury (nicknamed “The Brass City”) is located on the Naugatuck River and is the second largest city in New Haven County. It ranks as the cheapest place to buy a home in Connecticut, with a median home price of $128,800. Waterbury has large industrial roots and was the leading manufacturer of brassware in the United States in the first half of the 20th century. The town offers a dense suburban feel with nearby amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, and libraries.
Torrington
Ranked as the second cheapest place to buy a home in Connecticut, Torrington has a median home price of $155,700. Like most towns in the Naugatuck River Valley, Torrington is an old mill city located in the Litchfield hills. In the 19th century, Torrington was an industrial center for the manufacturing of brass, needles, tacks, woolen cloth, and millwork. The town is also home to the iconic Warner Theater, located in the Downtown Torrington Historic District.
New Britain
New Britain is a city in Hartford County and its nickname is the “Hardware City” because of its history as a manufacturing center and being home to the Stanley Black & Decker headquarters. The median home price is $159,300. The town offers an urban feel with three different museums (the New Britain Museum of American Art, the New Britain Industrial Museum, and the New Britain Youth Museum). Residents can also enjoy strolling the local Walnut Park or playing a round of gold at the Stanley Golf Course.
Hartford
Hartford is the capital city of Connecticut and is also the fourth-largest city in the state. It has a median home price of $162,800. Founded in 1635, it is one of the oldest cities in the country and is also home to the country’s oldest public art museum (Wadsworth Atheneum), the oldest publicly funded park (Bushnell Park), the oldest continuously published newspaper (the Hartford Courant), and the second-oldest secondary school (Hartford Public High School). Hartford provides the widest range of housing options and housing values of any community in the Capitol Region, so buyers can choose between different styles like Victorian homes, converted factory lofts, or a luxury downtown apartment.
Norwich
Norwich, also referred to as “The Rose of New England”, is situated in New London County where three rivers meet before flowing into the scenic harbor, from which the Thames River flows south to the Long Island Sound. The median home price in Norwich is $162,900, making it an affordable, yet pleasant town to reside. This historic town was also an early industrial center where the first paper and iron nails were made. The downtown area is slowly being revitalized with new bars, restaurants, and breweries — and nightlife options are nearby at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino.