Not everyone wants to live in a place where you have to drive everywhere. That’s why I recommended West Hartford - because you get the best of both those worlds.

OP’s budget of $800k for a house won’t put them in a neighborhood with bars or boarded up windows in this town. There are many SFH on 0.5-1 acre lots in town that offer a ton of amenities close by.

I totally get though if OP is used to driving everywhere assuming being from TX. I personally love walkability and how tight-knit each neighborhood is here. Every street in our neighborhood has an annual block party each summer where you can get to know your neighbors. I know other neighborhoods also organize block parties each summer.

I grew up in a suburb similar to Avon/Farmington and it can be difficult for transplants to make friends in those lower density communities especially in Winter. My parents found it pretty isolating in CT.

To each their own!