The rules about buying a house in Connecticut are undergoing change. From 1 October 2019, only a licensed attorney from the state will be able to conduct a real estate closing. Violation of this new Class D felony will be punishable by a $5,000 penalty or five-year jail term. Beyond this rule, the other main consideration is the state’s property taxes, which are among the highest in the country. An average rate across the state of 2.02% is levied on 70% of the market value.
Living in Connecticut
With the perfect fusion of urban and rural, Connecticut is a picturesque but mighty state. Its diverse economy is led by significant technology, finance, insurance, manufacturing and agricultural sectors, helping it enjoy the highest per-capita income in the nation. But beyond the buzz, it also offers beautiful rural scenery befitting of any New England state.
Education
Regarded as one of the most educated states, Connecticut scores highly when it comes to attainment and the quality of its schools. In spite of its small size, the state provides a high quality K-12 education system while its higher education options include the prestigious Ivy League Yale University, in New Haven. Other cities including Bridgeport, Fairfield and the state capital Hartford also possess top-performing colleges.
Activities
The state is a haven for sailing enthusiasts with ports full of vessels dotted all along its southern coastline, particularly in Long Island Sound. For those who prefer terra firma, Connecticut is awash with state parks and waterfalls. In the northwestern corner of the state lies Litchfield Hills, an area full of forests and open expanses, while the likes of Lovers Leap State Park, Haystack Mountain State Park and Kent Falls State Park provide a mix of breathtaking scenery, historical hiking trails and fishing.
Culture
Connecticut’s rich maritime history is a focus for many of the state’s museums. The nation-leading Mystic Seaport Museum a stand-out example while Groton’s US Naval Base - the home to the first nuclear-powered submarine Nautilus – offers a great family day out. Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport contribute to the state’s thriving arts scene with theatres in Connecticut regularly attracting major Broadway shows. As a pioneer of the ‘farm to table’ movement, Connecticut also has a contemporary food culture with many of its restaurants focusing on sustainable, local produce. Lobster is a particular specialty.
Accessibility
Road: The state benefits from a good network of Interstates and Routes, with I-95 stretching the length of its southern coast, entering New York to the west and Rhode Island to the east. The I-395 and I-84 provide access to the north of the state and into Massachusetts.
Rail: Amtrak’s Hartford line provides a service between New Haven and Springfield (Massachusetts); the New Haven Line runs to Grand Central Terminal in New York City; Shore Line East operates between New London and New Haven.
Air: The state’s three main airports are Bradley International Airport, Hartford-Brainard Airport and Tweed New Haven Airport.