CT Magazine Rates the State’s Small Towns (Part 2)

This is the second in a three part series highlighting the rating of  Connecticut’s small towns by Connecticut Magazine. In our first post, we focused on the towns with a population between 6,500 and 10,000. To recap, the publication set the following criteria for the rankings:

They first sorted the localities into three groups based on population:

• 6,500 – 10,000
• 3,500 – 6,500
• less than 3,500

Then, information was collected in the quality-of-life criteria that are most important to residents:

• Schools
• Crime Rate
• Cost of Living
• Local Economy
• Leisure/Cultural Outlets

Then the numbers were crunched and rankings were awarded based on how the towns scored in those criteria, with a “1” being the best score possible. In this second part of the series, we’ll be taking a look at the next population segment, between 3,500 and 6,500 residents, and specifically those in our market area, if any:

3,500 – 6,500: Middlefield Hangs In There

Of the 25 towns in this population group, Middlefield is the only town in our market that did well, placing 18th on the strength of its leisure activities, including Peckham Park, Lake Beseck, Lyman Orchards, and 2 local golf courses, as well as a good school system.

Here’s the full set of rankings for this population segment:

Remember, these rankings are not to be considered the last word in what the quality of life is in a particular city/town; however, they are a starting point and can be used as a point of comparison when making a decision about where to live in the state. There are many reasons for liking –or not liking – a specific city or town that transcend any statistical ranking or report, and only you can decide if a place is right for you and your family.

In Part Three of this series, we’ll take a look at the next population size, towns with less than 3,500 residents. To see these results in their entirety, head over to the Connecticut Magazine web site.

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• Connecticut Magazine Rates the State’s Small Towns (Part 1) (wallingfordwired.com)

Post from: Wallingford Wired©2009 by Pat & Wayne Harriman

Connecticut Magazine Rates the State’s Small Towns (Part 2)

CT Magazine Rates State Cities and Towns

This is the fourth in a four part series highlighting the rating of  Connecticut cities and towns by Connecticut Magazine. In our first post, we focused on the largest cities in our state, those with populations of 50,000 or more; in our second post, we highlighted cities between 25,000 and 50,000 residents; and in our third post, we spoke about the locales with a population between 15,000 and 25,000 people. To recap, the publication set the following criteria for the rankings:

They first sorted the localities into four groups based on population:

• 10,000 – 15,000
• 15,000 – 25,000
• 25,000 – 50,000
• 50,000+ (Towns with populations below 10,000 will be featured in their own rankings in the March 2010 issue; see here for the 2007 rankings)

Then, information was collected in the quality-of-life criteria that are most important to residents:

• Schools
• Crime Rate
• Cost of Living
• Local Economy
• Leisure/Cultural Outlets

Then the numbers were crunched and rankings were awarded based on how the towns scored in those criteria, with a “1” being the best score possible. In this last part of the series, we’ll be taking a look at the next population segment, between 10,000 and 15,000 residents, and specifically those in our market area:

10,000 – 15,000: Cromwell, North Branford Solidly in Mid-pack

Cromwell was solid in the #11 spot, mostly because of its leisure activities and relatively low cost of living. Meanwhile, North Branford was 2 places lower at #13, helped along by a low crime rate and stable economy, and actually fared better in those categories than Cromwell, but it wasn’t enough to move it any higher in the rankings. An interesting note is that the #2 town in this segment, Weston, would likely have been #1 if it wasn’t for a median home price of $830,000 which placed it dead last in that category. And that was still $135,000 LESS than the last time this survey was conducted!

Here are the full results for this population segment:

Post from: Wallingford Wired©2009 by Pat & Wayne Harriman

Connecticut Magazine Rates State Cities and Towns (Part 4)

CT Magazine Rates State Cities and Towns

This is the third in a four part series highlighting the rating of  Connecticut cities and towns by Connecticut Magazine. In our first post, we focused on the largest cities in our state, those with populations of 50,000 or more; in our second post, we highlighted cities between 25,000 and 50,000 residents. To recap, the publication set the following criteria for the rankings:

They first sorted the localities into four groups based on population:

• 10,000 – 15,000
• 15,000 – 25,000
• 25,000 – 50,000
• 50,000+ (Towns with populations below 10,000 will be featured in their own rankings in the March 2010 issue; see here for the 2007 rankings)

Then, information was collected in the quality-of-life criteria that are most important to residents:

• Schools
• Crime Rate
• Cost of Living
• Local Economy
• Leisure/Cultural Outlets

Then the numbers were crunched and rankings were awarded based on how the towns scored in those criteria, with a “1” being the best score possible. In this third part of the series, we’ll be taking a look at the next population segment, between 15,000 and 25,000 residents, and specifically those in our market area:

15,000 – 25,000: North Haven Up Against Strong Competition

Our neighbor to the south, North Haven, dropped a few places from the last ratings, from 21st to 24th. The magazine attributed the fall to lower scores in education, crime and the economy. Home sales in North Haven, have been good, however; sales of single family homes were up 40% in October. Also, North Haven’s score for cost of living was 15, placing it squarely in the middle of the pack in that criterion.

Here are the full set of results for this population segment:

Remember, these rankings are not to be considered the last word in what the quality of life is in a particular city/town; however, they are a starting point and can be used as a point of comparison when making a decision about where to live in the state. There are many reasons for liking – or not liking – a specific city or town that transcend any statistical ranking or report, and only you can decide if a place is right for you and your family.

In Part Four of this series, we’ll take a look at the last population segment, towns between 10,000 and 15,000 residents. To see these results in their entirety, pick up a copy of Connecticut Magazine’s November issue, on sale now at your favorite store or newsstand.

Post from: Wallingford Wired©2009 by Pat & Wayne Harriman

Connecticut Magazine Rates State Cities and Towns (Part 3)

CT Magazine Rates State Cities and Towns

This is the second in a four part series highlighting the rating of  Connecticut cities and towns by Connecticut Magazine. In our first post, we focused on the largest cities in our state, those with populations of 50,000 or more. To recap, the publication set the following criteria for the rankings:

They first sorted the localities into four groups based on population:

• 10,000 – 15,000
• 15,000 – 25,000
• 25,000 – 50,000
• 50,000+ (Towns with populations below 10,000 will be featured in their own rankings in the March 2010 issue; see here for the 2007 rankings)

Then, information was collected in the quality-of-life criteria that are most important to residents:

• Schools
• Crime Rate
• Cost of Living
• Local Economy
• Leisure/Cultural Outlets

Then the numbers were crunched and rankings were awarded based on how the towns scored in those criteria, with a “1” being the best score possible. In this second part of the series, we’ll be taking a look at the next population segment, between 25,000 and 50,000 residents, and specifically those in our market area:

25,000 – 50,000: Cheshire and Wallingford Represent!

Of the 24 towns in this population group, Cheshire and Wallingford both did very well, ranking 4th and 6th respectively. Cheshire’s strengths lie in its having the lowest crime rate in the category and a strong educational system; however, it’s high cost of living and lack of leisure activities kept it from ranking higher.

Wallingford really didn’t excel in any one area, but was solid in most categories except cost of living. It was buoyed by its low crime rate (#7) and leisure (#8), fueled by its having a newly-remodeled library, 2 golf courses, many good restaurants and also for being the home of Oakdale Theater.

Here’s the full set of rankings for this population segment:

The most startling disparity revealed by the editor’s commentary was the fact that Westport, the #1 town in this population segment, has a median home price of $970,000, which is larger than that of Glastonbury, Cheshire and New Milford combined! Amazing!

Remember, these rankings are not to be considered the last word in what the quality of life is in a particular city/town; however, they are a starting point and can be used as a point of comparison when making a decision about where to live in the state. There are many reasons for liking –or not liking – a specific city or town that transcend any statistical ranking or report, and only you can decide if a place is right for you and your family.

In Part Three of this series, we’ll take a look at the next population size, cities between 15,000 and 25,000 residents. To see these results in their entirety, pick up a copy of Connecticut Magazine’s November issue, on sale now at your favorite store or newsstand.

Post from: Wallingford Wired©2009 by Pat & Wayne Harriman

Connecticut Magazine Rates State Cities and Towns (Part 2)