What to Know About Living In Litchfield, CT

Litchfield glows with quintessential New England charm. Its green vistas and old world village vibes has catapulted it many times onto lists proclaiming the Connecticut city among the best places to live. As a Litchfield resident, you’ll experience its quiet charms firsthand. Take a peek at what to expect from living in Litchfield, CT. 

About Litchfield

Connecticut’s largest county by land size is also one of its least densely populated. What you’ll see on a drive through Litchfield County is lots of nature and places to return to the things that matter most. Life in the Litchfield Hills region is about savoring the friendships you build with your neighbors. It’s a quaint town where your kids’ teachers come to cheer on the kids at weekend baseball games. You say hi to your neighbor while kicking back at a summer concert in the park. Go on long walks in the woods to discover cascading waterfalls, or arrange your garden for the perfect springtime daffodil blooms. In otherwords, find classic small-town living in Litchfield County.

The town of Litchfield is the epicenter of county government, although nearby Torrington, CT, is the county’s largest town. The Litchfield town center doubles down on classic New England vibes. Historic brick-paved streets with their gas-like lamps lead frame the walkable avenues. Brick buildings stand out for their ornate patterns and details, from the wrought iron handrails to the French-style windows. Some homes still have hitching posts outside.

History is at every corner at the center of town. General George Washington met with one of his commanders during the Revolutionary War in Litchfield. Many buildings date to the 19th Century, giving the charming town’s homes and businesses a lot of period character. You can even find some shake-shingle shacks. Inside the cafes are old stone-worked fireplaces. Government buildings have white-columned porticoes, while the historic Litchfield Courthouse clock tower rises above the Main Street. (The beautiful Romanesque building is being adapted into a hotel.) The neighborhoods around the town have Federal-style mansions and revival architecture from the 1800s.. 

That blend of historic charm, access to outdoor activities, and room to breathe is why Litchfield has been called one of the most beautiful places to live in the US.

Top Things to Do

There’s so much to do in Litchfield, even though it’s a more rural town in Connecticut. For starters, living in Litchfield puts you close to Connecticut’s wine country. The nearest open vineyard to the town, Sunset Meadow Vineyards, has outdoor seating overlooking the vines. Imagine a fall sunset over the vineyard with a local glass in hand. At least four more around with locally sourced and fermented wines are around Litchfield County. Try Pinot Grigios, Rieslings, or proprietary red blends. 

Alternatively to wine, try the Litchfield Distillery. The brewer is a long-running and local favorite fine craft spirit distiller. They use locally grown barley, corn, and wheat to craft award-winning whiskeys and spirits.

How does a day of shopping sound? Adorable shops line West Main Street and the downtown area. These small businesses sell jewelry, art, home goods, fashion, and antiques. The classic New England village look adds to the day. Outside the town, find even more antique shops, flea markets, and Amish-made furniture stores for unique finds.

If you like history, Litchfield has some interesting places to visit. The Litchfield Museum, run by the Litchfield Historical Society, documents the town and regional history. At the Tapping Reeve House, learn about the Litchfield Law School, the nation’s first law school founded in 1784. The Village of Milton Historic District has buildings from before the American Revolution.

Litchfield’s arts community has several galleries curating contemporary and emerging artists. The Bantam Cinema is Connecticut’s oldest continuously operating movie theater. The locale is extraordinary and historic, but the fantastic shows is what keeps drawing people back. The event calendar includes live performances as well as independent movie showings.

Arethusa Farm is another beloved local institution to check out as a new Litchfield resident. Its roots go back to 1868, but it wasn’t until 1999 that it became the dairy farm it is today. The quaint historic farm is neat, but what the cows produce on its acreage earns the accolades. Some call Arethusa Farm’s fresh ice cream, milk, and butter the best dairy products around. Additionally, the farm has branched into the restaurant business. Its Arethusa al Tavolo restaurant has achieved the best restaurant in Connecticut and a top 100 in the US. It also has a coffee shop.

Litchfield Education

Depending on your specific address in Litchfield, you will fall into one of two possible school districts. Litchfield Public Schools is around the actual town of Litchfield. It runs four excellent schools, one for each grade cluster (elementary, intermediate, middle, and high). Regional School District 6 has five schools with different grade levels in serving different geographical areas, however they all funnel into a single high school.

Litchfield Montessori School presents an option for families interested in alternative education for grades six through 12. There is also the Forman School, a unique college prep school for ADHD and differently learning students in grades nine to postgraduate. Finally, there is the School on the Green, a parent cooperative preschool.

Parks and Recreation

What about Litchfield out-of-doors? The town doesn’t disappoint. People often discover Litchfield for the first time because they want a vacation in a relaxing countryside with lots of outdoor activities. For those near Connecticut, this is that area. Find multiple state parks, greenways, and land trusts around Litchfield County. 

When you’re new to town, start with the White Memorial Foundation, a popular place for outdoor recreation. Check it out during the fall, as its 4,000 forested acres are spectacular to hike. The 40 miles of trails cover varied habitats, including a marshy boardwalk trail and a Beaver Pond loop. The terrain meets the skill levels of all kinds of hikers and winter cross-country skiers. Its Litchfield Nature Center educates visitors about the local wildlife.

The hiking and bike trail options expand at places like Topsmead State Forest and the Litchfield Greenway. A local bucket list activity is climbing the stone tower at Mount Tom State Park. Built in 1888, the tower top views are truly spectacular.

But it’s not just what’s on land that makes living in Litchfield, CT, so appealing. Paddle in peaceful waters at Bantam Lake and the other creeks around Litchfield. 

There is more outdoor access here than summer activities like camping and flyfishing. People come in the winter to ski at Mohawk Ski Mountain. Find some parks with ice skating and cross-country skiing, too. Bantam Lake even has ice yachting when the conditions are right!

The Town of Litchfield’s Parks and Recreation department oversees two community sport field facilities. These have playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, and other sports fields. The Parks Department also manages a gym and other public green spaces for residents to use.

For those interested in community sports, Litchfield has a Tri-town youth baseball and softball league, the Litchfield soccer club, and a Litchfield Hills Rowing Club on Bantam Lake.

Community Events

Runners World calls the Litchfield Hills Road Race the best little race you’ve never heard of. Except now you have. It’s a popular weekend that tests athletes on varying terrain. The course winds through its historic downtown, parks, and cultural sites. Its famous feature is an incredibly steep hill in the last mile. The community always turns out in big numbers to cheer on the racers, even providing some live tunes along the way.

A summer concert series runs every Wednesday on Litchfield Green, a park space in central downtown. The Green is part of the Historic District and has long been a town gathering place.

The Litchfield Community Center runs social and wellness programs for all ages. The Litchfield Farmers Market sets up in its parking lot in the summer months. 

Litchfield’s annual Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting is a popular event. Evergreens and twinkling lights transform an already charming downtown into a Victorian Village at Christmastime. 

The Oliver Wolcott Library in downtown Litchfield is another center for community activities. This beloved library has one of the highest book circulations in the state. Its architecture catches the eye with its mix of 18th Century colonial and modern industrial styles. 

Job Market

Even though this is one of Connecticut’s more rural areas, your access to high-paying jobs is not limited. In fact, the northwest region of Connecticut has stable companies working in medical technology and clean energy. These are in-demand fields and highly technical occupations that pay well.

Other top employment avenues in Litchfield are health care, education, and logistics. Find manufacturers producing pharmaceuticals, fuel cells, and metals. 

Cost of Living

Connecticut is not well known for its cost of living, and life in Litchfield follows that trend. Your local budget typically runs 6% above the US average to cover all the essentials. But if you compare it to the state of Connecticut, it’s one of the more affordable places to live. Litchfield beats the state average in healthcare and transportation. 

Housing costs do run above average. That may have to do with the profile of local real estate. Since the Litchfield Hills region is rural, more properties have larger lots and land. That pushes up prices. However, in 2023, Litchfield County had a median home price of $325,000, well under the $387,000 national median on November 2023. The year ended with a 2.5-month supply of homes.

Drilling down closer, homes for sale in Litchfield had a median price of $445,000 for 2023. That was down 10.5% from 2022, but still up 65% from 2019.

A local real estate agent can take you around Litchfield County’s boroughs and villages to find the right combination of access and price. You may like living in Bantam or Milton. 

In Litchfield, real estate property taxes are computed at 70% of their fair market value. The last revaluation was in October 2023.

For veterans, the town of Litchfield does have a local option exemption. Qualifying depends on your income. There is also a local option exemption for motor vehicle taxes for disabled individuals using specially equipped vehicles and for active duty service members.

Living in Litchfield, CT

Litchfield, Connecticut is where past and present converge in perfect harmony. Lean into the perks of small-town living with a desirable New England address. Feel less stressed wandering down its tree-lined streets or exploring pristine hiking trails. Gain a sense of community not often found in today’s cities.