The 11 Most Beautiful Places to Live In Connecticut That Are Still Affordable

Though Connecticut is a small state, you can’t underestimate the amount of beauty it contains. From the steep hills of western Connecticut to the gorgeous beaches on the east coast, it’s hard to find a place in Connecticut that isn’t beautiful! But when it comes to buying or renting a home, average costs are also important to consider. Here are the 11 most beautiful places to live in Connecticut that are still affordable!

Canterbury

This 314-year-old town is one of the most beautiful and historical places in the state. The median home value in Canterbury is $277,200, and the average rent is $711. Open fields and lots of nature surround it, and the gorgeous Quinebaug River flows nearby.

New Britain

This suburb of Hartford offers another type of beauty — in architecture. It has some of the most beautiful churches in the state, with some dating back to the 1800s. New Britain also offers plenty of green spaces, including a beautiful rose garden in Walnut Hill Park. The median home value is $188,700 and the average rent is $1,136. If you’re looking to buy and would like to be near the city, New Britain is a great option.

Bristol

With the amount of nature preserves located within a 30-minute drive, Bristol is certainly one of the most beautiful places to live in Connecticut. It offers a close proximity to Hartford but plenty of outdoor activities like hiking. The median home value in Bristol is $235,700 and the average rent is $1,228.

Waterbury

This city is named after its many waterways, and you’ll find that they are full of beauty. Waterbury is also known for its green spaces and parks. One of the city’s parks, Fulton Park, is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a medium-sized city that offers a surprising amount of beauty. Home values in Waterbury are some of the lowest in the state, averaging at $162,800. Median rent is $1,140.

Manchester

Manchester is a reasonable place to buy or rent, with median home values at $195,200, and average rent at $1,289. It’s a gorgeous suburb of Hartford, with plenty of green spaces and parks like Wickham Park and Case Mountain. It offers the amenities of the city with the beauty of nature.

Norwich

This small city is surrounded by multiple rivers which meet and form the city harbor. The harbor is truly the highlight of the city, offering great waterfront views right from downtown. The city also has many parks, with the largest being Mohegan Park. There are waterfalls and sunflower fields, along with a few petting zoos around Norwich. It’s a beautiful place to live in Connecticut, and with an average home value of $200,400 and average rent of $1,159, it’s also very affordable.

Rockville

Another suburb of Hartford, Rockville offers plenty of natural beauty just nearby. There are plenty of hiking trails and parks like Belding Wildlife Management Area and Valley Falls Park. The large Shenipsit Lake is also near Rockville, offering opportunities for boating and fishing. Homes in Rockville average at $182,700 and rent averages at $1,074.

Willimantic

With a median home value of $173,100 and an average rent of $1,060, Willimantic is certainly a reasonable place to live. It’s also a beautiful place to live, given the amount of nature just nearby. A short drive from downtown Willimantic, Mansfield Hollow State Park offers fishing, boating, and bird-watching as well as a break from suburban life.

Bridgeport

Though it’s the most populated city in Connecticut, Bridgeport is still a great place to live. It’s a little higher than some of the other cities on our list, with average home values at $227,200 and average rent at $1,369. However, Bridgeport makes up for it in terms of beauty. It’s located on the coast, offering public beaches to stroll on and inlets to explore. There are plenty of places to soak in the sun and enjoy Connecticut’s natural beauty in Bridgeport.

Naugatuck

At around the same cost of living as Bridgeport, Naugatuck has a median home value of $226,200 and an average rent of $1,238. It’s much smaller than Bridgeport, and for a long time was considered part of the nearby Waterbury. It’s one of the most beautiful towns in the state, offering natural beauty around every corner. Naugatuck State Forest borders the town and offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and gorgeous views.

Winsted

A pretty small town, Winsted is both affordable and beautiful. Homes range around $186,700 median value and rent averages at $1,118. The downtown is really cute, with bright-colored trees lining the roads and rolling hills in the distance. It feels as if it’s out of a movie! Outside of the forests and hills, Winsted also offers a few lakes with the largest being Highland Lake. You can swim, fish, and visit the full-service marina on the lake.

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