Portland might not be the biggest town in the Constitution State. It might not be the wealthiest or the most intellectual, or even have the absolute best fishing. But what it does have is a little bit of everything to offer anyone buying a house in Connecticut. The good schools, solid economy and easy access to the great outdoors all add up to make one fantastic little piece of Connecticut real estate. And actually, the fishing is pretty great too.
Many of Portland’s 9,500 residents consider the quaint, rustic town to be the best-kept secret in the Constitution State. After spending 15 minutes walking the elm-lined streets, it’s easy to see why. Portland possesses a certain small town charm that many other similarly sized New England cities seem to have sacrificed in exchange for modern commerce. Although its crime rate is low and its schools are excellent, you won’t find a plethora of restaurant chains or an interstate clogged with commuters anywhere within the town’s 25 square miles. Instead, you’ll find eight different marinas along the Connecticut River and three small (but acclaimed!) golf courses scattered throughout the pristine wilderness.
Most of all, you’ll find the sort of quiet, laid back atmosphere that so many people spend their lives looking for. Portland might be mostly parks, farms and old buildings, but its parks are beautiful, its farms are bountiful and its buildings are meticulously well kept.
The houses for sale in Portland range from modest to luxurious, depending on what type of “quaint” fits within your budget. While the “country club” estates can sell for more than $700,000, you can find a four-bedroom, three-bath in town for $250,000.
If you’re buying a house in Connecticut and want to settle down in the type of small community that many people forgot existed, Portland is the place to be. The town embodies the sort of peace that everyone deserves to find, but few ever do.
