WELCOME TO CONNECTICUT
Quintessentially
“New England” in charm and spirit, Connecticut
is one of the smallest states in square miles yet offers a world of scenic
wonder, cultural attractions, historic jewels, and seashore enchantment. Proud
of its heritage as “Yankee country,” Connecticut
is one of the original 13 colonies. Nearly every town or community can claim a
cluster of homes that dates back to the 17th and 18th century, showcasing the
elegance and distinction of period architecture.
Newcomers
will discover a diversity of topography and cityscapes, from forested hills and
shoreline beaches to urban skylines or quaint towns with timeless white church
spires and village greens. Connecticut’s compact size not only makes it
possible to reach most in-state destinations within two hours, it offers a
centralized location and easy access to New York City and Boston.
While
constantly renewing and restoring its vintage treasures, Connecticut has managed to keep pace with
the most advanced of technologies. As the home of internationally acclaimed Yale University,
the state upholds the highest of educational standards and programs. Students
consistently earn high grades and national honors throughout their educational
careers, whether they attend public or private schools. The state is well known
for an abundance of prestigious private preparatory schools in the caliber of
Taft and Choate-Rosemary Hall. High school graduates of all ages can choose
from more than 20 private institutions of higher learning and five state
universities that include the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. An excellent community
and technical college system provides two-year degree programs and career or
vocational studies.
The
professional and service sectors are also well developed, particularly in the
area of healthcare. Quality medical services are located no more than ten miles
from any resident. The state is also well known for state-of-the-art teaching
medical centers, specialized compassionate health services for the elderly, and advanced care for veterans and children.
Prestigious hospitals, medical centers, and research
companies in Connecticut
are some of the nation’s finest. The influence of such world-renowned
institutions like Yale University School of Medicine is constantly raising the
bar in leading-edge care. Since its founding in 1810, the Yale University
School of Medicine has been setting the benchmark in the education of leaders
in research, medical education, and patient care.
Every
aspect of life is enhanced by the efficiency of a modern transportation
network. Three major interstates—84, 91, and 95—connect with state and federal
highways and local thoroughfares. The heavily landscaped Merritt and Wilbur
Cross Parkways are often traveled for their scenery as well as their
convenience. Metro-North schedules commuter trains to New York’s Grand Central
Station, and Amtrak provides regional passenger rail service. Bradley International
Airport in Windsor Locks
offers national and international flights. Water ferries make daily trips
across the Sound from New London and Bridgeport to Orient Point and Port Jefferson on Long
Island in New York.
Against the
backdrop of four distinct and vibrant seasons, Connecticut provides a shifting panorama of
verdant mountains, rolling fields, deep woodlands, sparkling inlets, and quiet
bays. With Long Island Sound forming the southern border and the Connecticut
River nearly cutting the state in two from north to south, water is virtually
everywhere. The 240-mile coastline is ideal for summer days at the beach.
Hundreds of sparkling lakes, ponds, and streams dot the countryside to provide
opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing in the summer or ice skating
in the winter.
Only about
one-third of Connecticut’s
land mass has been developed, preserving a rich woodland environment that
covers almost half of the state. With 30 state forests and 90 state parks,
newcomers will find it easy to locate a panoramic setting for camping, hiking,
biking, and picnicking. Connecticut
boasts a number of excellent ski resorts, and residents are never far from a
golf course.
Each time
of the year heralds its own special beauty and activities. Spring is ideal for
antique hunting, browsing through old bookshops, planting the garden, or buying
fresh breads at the country store. The lazy days of summer can be spent sorting
through freshly picked corn at roadside stands, followed by a relaxing picnic
along the shore or in the cool pines. Autumn is a time for sampling apple cider
and picking perfect pumpkins at local farms. Residents join visitors from
around the world in romantic country inns surrounded by glorious fall foliage.
Winter activities occur indoors or outside, from craft and dance lessons to
cross-country skiing.
Offering
close proximity to the cultural jewels of Boston
and New York, Connecticut also provides impressive
educational and cultural attractions and resources in its own right. Among the
highlights are craft shows, art galleries, dance recitals, film festivals,
lectures, nature programs, and historic displays. Throughout the four seasons,
colorful festivals and celebrations draw enthusiastic crowds together for
games, parades, live entertainment, and good food. Shoppers can look forward to
weekend adventures spent hunting for antiques in charming village districts or
exploring hundreds of exclusive specialty shops in regional malls.
Home
choices in Connecticut
reflect the beauty and charm of their environment, offering a wide spectrum of
styles and price ranges. Waterfront estates, cozy cottages, horse properties,
country mansions, and high-rise condominiums are just a few of the
possibilities. With its idyllic environment, attractive housing, superior
school systems, and well-structured amenities, Connecticut has obviously mastered the art
of preserving the best of the past while preparing for an even brighter future.