9. Simsbury, Conn.
| AT A GLANCE | |
| Population | 23,767 |
| Median Income | $115,784 |
| Job Growth | 5.4% |
| Median Home Price | $289,813 |
| Property Tax | $7,592 |
Simsbury locals will tell you that premier public schools are the main draw to this quiet colonial village nestled in Connecticut’s Farmington Valley. A recent report on international education showed that students scored above average in every test category. Almost 75% of high school seniors complete at least one college-level course, and 93% of graduates pursue higher education.
Simsbury’s kids aren’t just book smart. They’re active in sports, the arts, and often both, says Manuela Hanshaw, co-president of Simsbury Friends for Music.
The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation named Simsbury one of the nation’s best communities for music education.
Many residents make the 25-minute commute to Hartford, where jobs in finance and insurance keep the town’s unemployment rate well below the national average. To unwind, they can take in a show at the impressive outdoor performing-arts center, host to artists like Willie Nelson and The Temptations, or bike on the 84-mile Farmington Canal Heritage Trail as it weaves through town along the Farmington River.
One downside: With all these perks, residents pay a premium in property taxes. —Michaela Ross