Living in Cheshire, CT

A quiet town of about 30,000 residents, Cheshire is a 20 minute drive from New Haven’s Yale University. The town is home to two land preservations, and Cheshire Land Trust serves to preserve Connecticut’s natural resources including marshland, woodland, plants and animal life. Cheshire is convenient to major cities, including New Haven and Hartford, yet remains peaceful and safe. It has been ranked among the Top Small Towns in America by publications such as Money magazine.

Cheshire offers quaint New England charm, with an emphasis on green spaces and a business-friendly atmosphere that can help startups get off the ground.  Many local restaurants offer seasonal outdoor seating so that diners can enjoy the town’s natural ambience. Cheshire is known for its beautiful parks and pristine wooded areas for hiking.

Cheshire’s public schools are highly regarded, winning extraordinary online ratings for their emphasis on college preparation, significant outperformance of the state average on test scores, and 97 percent high school graduation rate, with most graduates pursuing post-secondary education upon graduation. The district maintains eight schools. Quinnipiac University is located in nearby Hamden, and Yale University in nearby New Haven is just a short drive away.

Cheshire is convenient to I-91 and Routes 10 and 15, and it is a short drive to many cities and their amenities including New Haven, Middletown, Meriden, Waterbury and Hartford.  There is some limited bus service to neighboring areas as well.

Roaring Brook Falls along the Quinnipiac River, the Farmington Canal State Park Trail, and Brooksvale Park in neighboring Hamden offer hikers and families plenty of outdoor recreation space. Also in Hamden is Sleeping Giant State Park with picnic areas and hiking trails that lead to the mountain top, where you can catch breathtaking views of the area foliage. Cheshire is also home to the unique Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum with over 80,000 artifacts.

Cheshire has an active Parks & Recreation Department, a community pool and a senior center. The town is also home to a YMCA offering child care and a variety of classes and workout equipment. There are a number of fine restaurants and homestyle eateries for every taste, along with locally owned shops throughout town. Cheshire also holds several family-friendly events each year, such as the Strawberry Festival and the Fall Festival.