Essex has all the splendor and solitude of a small seaside New England town – except that it’s on a river. Characterized by calm waters and an even calmer atmosphere, it’s a great getaway for nature lovers and anyone else buying a house in Connecticut.
When you first lay eyes on the 12 square miles of riverside that Essex occupies, you’ll think you’ve walked right into a postcard. From the historic colonial homes that dot the lush farmland and orchards outside the town center to the scores of sailboats and schooners lazily bobbing at the marina, every part of Essex seems too picture-perfect to be real.
And yet, it’s entirely real, right down to every individual colored leaf in the autumn tableau on the other side of your new home’s kitchen window. The 6,000 people that call Essex home work hard to preserve the quaintness and historic feel of the town, and their success can be measured in the quiet of every afternoon and the sharp tang of wood smoke and chowder on the wind.
Although it’s a small town, there’s plenty to do in Essex. The town offers great hiking trails with fantastic views of the valley in addition to several public parks and some really excellent fishing. If you’re feeling more cozy than adventurous, you can explore the different shops, art galleries and theaters that line the downtown streets or catch up on some reading at one of Essex’s two public libraries. When that’s done, cap the night at one of the town’s three taverns.
It doesn’t cost much to live the lobsterman’s dream in Essex – $150,000 will get you a three-bedroom colonial-style home, and the quality only goes up from there. You won’t find many foreclosures for sale, but that’s because the tiny town has managed to weather this economic storm like a harbor buoy.
If you want to find your dream home on some quiet Connecticut real estate, then Essex is place to be. Its access to nature and its classic charm make it the perfect place to get away and stay away.
