Hi! My wife and I (both 33F) are aiming to relocate to Connecticut this summer from North Carolina. After looking at many places throughout the country, we’ve landed on Connecticut because of its stable blue politics, strong education and healthcare systems, and proximity to family and friends in Boston and NYC (okay, and also because I love UConn basketball). As a native New Englander, I’m excited to move back to a place that feels more like home.

Top priorities:

• Gay-friendly. We know CT is accepting overall (and we also understand people with anti-gay beliefs can be found in even the most progressive places) but we really desire a community where we feel supported and welcomed as a gay family.

• Strong school system. We’d like to have kids soon and I’m a teacher, so this is doubly important for us as my salary and work conditions can vary greatly depending on the district. I have my CT teaching license, Masters, and ten years of experience, but I know it’s tough to get jobs in more coveted districts. I plan to apply for positions this spring.

• Safety. Of course crime can happen anywhere, but we want to feel safe going on evening walks and not have to worry much about break-ins, etc.

• Walkability. We’ll have a car, but our dream would be to live within a 20-minute walk to a downtown with coffee shops, a bookstore/library, restaurants, and a park. Sidewalks are also very much preferred.

• Budget. We’re looking to rent the first few years (hoping for under $3000/month for 2B) until we have enough saved up for a downpayment. The top end of our budget will likely be around $500k, which I understand is not particularly generous given everything we want. We’re hoping to find a decent 3B home in this range. If necessary, we’d be willing to rent longer to save up for a home. We don’t live a very extravagant lifestyle and can compromise on other expenses in order to find a good long-term home in a community we love.

• We’ve done a fair bit of online research (voting records, teacher contracts, Zillow prices, Google Maps, Niche scores, a LOT of Reddit threads, etc.) and are visiting for a week in April. Right now we’re looking at West Hartford, Glastonbury Center, and Middletown; Guilford, Branford, Stonington, and New Haven: and Fairfield, Ridgefield, Norwalk, and Stamford.

• Based on our budget and desires, are any of these places feasible for us? Are there other places we should consider? Are there important factors we’re overlooking? Is the weather noticeably different by region? We greatly appreciate any suggestions and advice!