Cheshire is a small New England Town that’s big on gardens, and it’s a terrific place for Hartford or New Haven commuters to settle with their families. Great schools, low poverty and beautiful trails make the town a highly attractive place to buy, and it’s definitely a place worth seeing if you’re buying a house in Connecticut.
Cheshire was founded in 1694 and has made a name for itself as the “Bedding Plant Capital of Connecticut.” In addition to its acres of gorgeous flower beds and many greenhouses, the town has also become home to several industrial and commercial parks. The addition of big-city commerce to the otherwise agricultural economy has made Cheshire both rurally scenic and recession-proof – a combination that won it a spot on Money magazine’s list of the 100 best places to live in the country.
Like many New England towns, Cheshire is rich with history. Five of its buildings are listed on the National Historic registry, and you can find others that probably should be when you visit the Marion Historic District. Cheshire is also a great place for fans of “modern” history, because the town is home to Barker’s Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum – one of the largest collections of toys and other pop-culture memorabilia in the country.
As a participant in the Rails to Trails program, Cheshire has turned hundreds of miles of unused train tracks into hiking and biking trails. The trails run along several creeks and streams, and you’ll have no trouble finding a great fishing spot in the summer. When the leaves turn, be sure to bring your camera.
Cheshire is a great place for families. It has one of the lowest poverty rates in the country, and the town offers many different public, private and religious options for education. It’s also incredibly affordable for anyone interested in Connecticut real estate – you can buy a three-bedroom home for less than $300,000.
If you’re looking for a small town not too far from the big city, Cheshire can’t be topped. The solid economy, natural beauty and historical buildings make Cheshire one of the best – and most picturesque – places to live in Connecticut.
