7 Best Places to Retire in Connecticut

Moving can be terrifying, but it’s something that you need to take as a new adventure, even if this new life starts when your retirement does, so we’re going to take a look at the 7 best places to retire in Connecticut this time around.

Why Connecticut? Well, there are plenty of reasons to pick this state over others, but for the most part, we’ll assume that you have already picked the state and we’re here to provide you with some information to help you choose the best place to move when you’re looking into Connecticut.

So, to start at the beginning, Connecticut is part of the Tri-State area, which includes New York and New Jersey, and it takes its name after the Connecticut River, which is pretty massive. The state has lots of ups and downs when it comes to geography, including the mountains in the north, and the valleys created by the Connecticut River as it cuts the state in two.

The climate in the area is humid continental, which translates in pretty cold winters and summers that are warm and humid. The more southern areas of the state have a different climate, a milder one, temperate if you will.

There are over 3.5 million residents in Connecticut, with a median age of 40. The median home price in the state is $234,000, which is a bit high, but not impossible to reach. The cost of living index in Connecticut is 125.7, which is quite a lot higher than the nation’s average, with housing costs being the steepest of the list and groceries the cheapest. When it comes to healthcare, Connecticut prides itself with 336 physicians for each 100,000 citizens, which is a lot more than the US average of 261. If you want, you can also take a look at the 11 cheapest countries to retire in Europe, since maybe going abroad would suit you more.

In order to create our list we took a look at the state’s counties and collected information regarding the median house price, cost of living index, crime rate, average commute time, and a number of doctors per 100K residents. We handed out points depending on their ranking and then rewarded the counties that have a higher number of physicians than the state’s average since this is such an important matter. At the end, we did some math and came up with the final scores. Without further ado here are the 7 best places to retire in Connecticut.

7. Tolland

Score: 15

Median home price: $220,600

Cost of living index: 121.3

Average commute time: 25.36

Crime rate: 28

Doctors per 100K: 131

In the northeastern area of Connecticut, you’ll find Tolland County, home to over 152,000 people. The county’s area is 417 square miles which are divided into thirteen towns, out of which Vernon is the largest. It is the smallest county in the state by area and with a density of 372 people per square mile, it may seem like it’s a bit crowded. Six of the towns in Tolland, however, have under 10,000 residents, so you shouldn’t worry too much if you’re looking for a bit more privacy and air to breathe – there are plenty of corners to choose from.

The county has plenty of bodies of water peppering the land so if you’re into any kind of water sports, you should be able to find something to fit you, even if that means spending your mornings with a fishing rod in your hands trying to catch something.

The median home price in Tolland County is $220,600 while the cost of living index is 121.3, which is a bit high, but that seems to be the norm around Connecticut. The crime rate is quite low, namely 28, with 1 being the lowest (and safest). There are 131 doctors per 100,000 people in Tolland County in case you’re in need of healthcare.

6. Middlesex

Score: 15

Median home price: $248,700

Cost of living index: 127.1

Average commute time: 24.91

Crime rate: 30

Doctors per 100K:  257

In the south-central part of the state, you’ll find Middlesex, home to over 165,000 people. Out of the 439 square miles the county covers, nearly 16 percent is water. Wadsworth Falls, for instance, are part of Middlesex County, but there’s also the Connecticut River and it’s worth to mention the fact that the county does have a coastline to the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re hoping to spend some time out in nature, you should know that there are two different National Wildlife Refuges partly located within the county, both of which you can enjoy.

Houses go for $248,700 in average in Middlesex, while the cost of living index is 127.1, which isn’t all that great since you’ll be paying extra for your day-to-day groceries and other expenses, although this depends on where you’re coming from in the first place. The crime rate in this county is 30, so things are quite ok from this point of view. When it comes to healthcare, the number of doctors per 100,000 people is 257, just so you know what to expect.

5. Litchfield

Score: 17

Median home price: $207,900

Cost of living index: 119.8

Average commute time: 26.62

Crime rate: 29

Doctors per 100K: 180

Home to nearly 190,000 people, Litchfield spreads over 945 square miles, which also gives it a rather low population density; so low, in fact, that it is the least densely populated county in the whole of Connecticut.

As with all other counties in the state, there is no county government or county seat. Basically, each town is responsible for all local services, which includes education, emergency response and so on. This may or may not be a good thing, but in the end, it comes to your preferences. If you do choose Litchfield for your move, you should know that you’re in for some great views of a portion of the nearby Appalachian Mountains.

Houses go for nearly $208,000 here, while the cost of living index nears 120, well above the national average. The crime rate here is 29, which is quite ok while the number of doctors per 100,000 residents is 180.

4. Windham

Score: 19

Median home price: $162,900

Cost of living index: 111.9

Average commute time: 26.2

Crime rate: 39

Doctors per 100K: 124

The least populous county in Connecticut is Windham, with over 118,000 people calling it home. The area the county covers is 521 square miles, so it’s not exactly as if it’s all a ghost town. For the most part, the county’s geographical make isn’t too extreme, the highest point being Snow Hill, barely hitting 1,210 feet.

The median home price in the area is quite lower than we’ve seen so far – under $163,000, and so is the cost of living index, which is 111.9. There are 124 doctors per 100,000 people in Windham, which isn’t too terrible.

3. New London

Score: 22

Median home price: $203,700

Cost of living index: 119.7

Average commute time: 22.59

Crime rate: 39

Doctors per 100K: 209

In the corner of Connecticut sits New London County, which is home to over 274,000 people. Spreading over 772 square miles, the county has a medium population density. The county’s land is pretty much flat, with very few exceptions of a hill rising up here and there. There’s also the rather long coastline which you can enjoy when the weather permits.

Houses go for over $203,000 in this area, while the cost of living index is close to 120, as it seems to be the trend in New London. There are 209 doctors per 100,000 people in this county, so your healthcare should be quite taken care of.

2. New Haven

Score: 23

Median home price: $208,400

Cost of living index: 120.8

Average commute time: 24.07

Crime rate: 42

Doctors per 100K: 460

With over 862,000 people living in New Haven, this county is the third most populated in the entire state. The total area of New Haven is 862 square miles, out of which some 30 percent is water. The land is pretty much flat as it nears the coast, but there are some low hills peppering the rest of the land. New Haven is home to the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in part, so if you want to spend some time out in nature you can choose it or one of the many water bodies available.

Houses go for over $208,000 in this area of Connecticut, while the cost of living index, once more, passes the 120 mark. The crime rate in the area is 42, which isn’t too great, but it’s not terrible either.

New Haven has the highest number of physicians per 100,000 people, namely 460, so you should be able to find yourself a good doctor to take care of whatever needs you have.

1. Hartford

Score: 30

Median home price: $204,200

Cost of living index: 117.8

Average commute time: 22.14

Crime rate: 41

Doctors per 100K:  365

At the top of our list is Hartford, a county that’s situated in the north central area of Connecticut. There are over 894,000 people living in Hartford, which means it’s the second most populated county in the state. The total land area is 750 square miles, so things are pretty crowded here.

As with other counties, Hartford is divided by the Connecticut River, although there are others passing through here as well, including the Milk and Farmington Rivers. When it comes to geographical layout, Hartford is definitely more diverse than other Connecticut counties. You’ll see rivers here, completely with beautiful valleys, hills and mountains, which means you can choose from a lot of outdoorsy activities.

Houses go for a little over $204,000 in average here, while the cost of living index is 117.8, a little lower than in other areas. The crime rate is 41, so it’s not exactly ideal, but it’s not terrible either. When it comes to healthcare, Hartford is doing quite well, with 365 physicians for every 100,000 people. All in all, Hartford makes it to the top of our list of the 7 best places to retire in Connecticut.