WELCOME TO CONNECTICUT

Welcome to Connecticut!

Quintessentially "New England" in charm and spirit, Connecticut's modest area in square miles is brimming over with scenic wonders, cultural attractions, historic jewels, and seashore enchantment. Proud of its heritage as "Yankee country," Connecticut is one of the original 13 colonies. Nearly every community can claim a cluster of homes that date 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.

Services

While constantly renewing and restoring its vintage treasures, Connecticut has managed to keep pace with the most advanced 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 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 5 state universities including the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. An excellent community and technical college system provides two year degrees and career or vocational programs to students of all ages.

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, and the state is known for its state-of-the-art teaching hospitals, compassionate health services for the elderly, and specialized care for veterans and children. Prestigious hospitals, medical centers, and research companies in Connecticut are some of the nation's finest. The influence of world-renowned institutions like Yale University School of Medicine is constantly raising the bar in advanced care. Since its founding in 1810, the Yale University School of Medicine has been setting the benchmark in educating leaders in research, medical education, and patient care.

Every aspect of life in Connecticut 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 roads. 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 has added the high-speed Acela Express to its passenger rail service. Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks offers both national and international flights. Water ferries make daily trips across the Sound from both New London and Bridgeport to Orient Point and Port Jefferson, Long Island. filled with Connecticut information.

Lifestyle

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 on its 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 warm summer days at the beach. Hundreds of lakes, ponds, and streams dot the countryside to provide opportunities for swimming, boating and fishing in the summer and ice skating in the winter.

Only about one-third of Connecticut's land mass has been undeveloped, preserving a rich woodland environment that covers almost half of the state. With 30 state forests and 90 state parks, newcomers will have no trouble locating the right 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.

While not far from the major arts centers of Boston and New York, Connecticut offers extensive educational and cultural attractions and resources of its own. Craft shows, art galleries, dance recitals, film festivals, lectures, nature programs, and historic displays are held regularly and draw enthusiastic audiences and participants. Aficionados of shopping can look forward to weekend adventures 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, country mansions, highrise condominiums, and cozy cottages in quiet neighborhoods 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.

Welcome to Connecticut