Some folks need the hustle and bustle of a big city, but there’s a lot to love about small-town communities like Watertown, Connecticut. With a population of 22,514, Watertown fosters tight-knit communities, vibrant small businesses, and high quality of living.
“Its 30 square miles is a perfect mix of agricultural, industrial, commercial and residential areas supported by excellent and dependable public services,” says Jason Rieger, Executive Director of The Ivy at Watertown.
Thinking about living in Watertown? Here are five reasons why you just might love it.
1. It’s Small-Town Living with Big-City Amenities
Set against the backdrop of Mattatuck State Forest, Watertown is located about 140 miles from Boston, 100 miles from New York, and less than 40 miles from Hartford.
“One special aspect of the Watertown community that stands out to me is that it has a warm and friendly small-town feel with all the conveniences, services, and amenities of a big town,” Rieger says.
The town’s location offers residents a suburban-rural mix feel, featuring both a rural setting with different local farms and has a city feel with a quaint downtown area and the town of Waterbury next door. There are a variety of restaurants, shops, financial institutions, and healthcare providers to choose from in Watertown. And when you want to take in a Broadway show, shop at Boston’s Quincy Market, or explore Washington, D.C., you can get there easily in just a few hours. It’s suburban-country living at its finest.
2. The Residents Care About One Another
Watertown offers true small-town living, which means that most people know one another and are willing to help in times of need. If your car breaks down in Watertown, chances are your neighbor will give you a ride or come see if they can help fix it.
“It’s a small and tight-knit community,” Rieger says.
The town invests in its people, especially its youth. Known for its high-quality educational system, Watertown Public Schools spends $15,575 per student, compared to the average school expenditure in the U.S. of $12,383. Taft School, an internationally acclaimed prep school, is based in Watertown. The majority of students living in Watertown go on to higher educational institutions. It’s a lot easier to get involved in a small town, and Watertown offers lots of areas to get engaged, from the Rotary Club of Watertown to the Watertown Lions Club.
3. You Can Enjoy Mother Nature
Nestled in the lush beauty of the Berkshire Foothills, Watertown offers many opportunities to explore the great outdoors and engage in outdoor activities. Black Rock State Park offers swimming, hiking, camping, fishing, and scenic views of the Naugatuck Valley. Lake Winnemaug, a reservoir located just 1.7 miles from Watertown, is perfect for kayaking, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and relaxing by the water. There are several nice public parks, a public golf course and private country club, ball fields, playgrounds, and a town green with a classic gazebo. In the fall, Mother Nature puts on quite the show, painting vibrant colors across gently rolling hills. If you want to see New England in the fall, come to Watertown.
4. There’s Always Something Going On
Even though Watertown is a smaller town, it offers something for everyone. Watertown annually hosts over 30 different academic, vocational, and recreational activities. Its Memorial Day Parade in May, Townwide Tag Sale in June, and Fall Festival in September are some of the community’s favorites. Popular nearby attractions include the Watertown History Museum, The Mattatuck Museum, The Palace Theater, Mystic Seaport and Aquarium, Yale University, West Cornwall’s Covered Bridge, and many more enriching sites. Church, social service, fraternal, and social groups abound. Plus, there is some nightlife, including restaurants, bars, and a movie theater.
5. The Town Is Super Safe
Not only is there less crime in Watertown, but the police are also active and visible in the community. In Watertown, it’s safe for kids to play outside, for bicyclists to chain their bikes in front of a coffee shop, and for you to leave your car windows cracked when you’re parked in your driveway over the summer. These aren’t the only reasons to live in Watertown, though. For a more in-depth look at all that Watertown has to offer, download our Watertown, Connecticut, Relocation Guide for Older Adults, a lifestyle guide outlining the professional services and community offerings for seniors considering relocation to Watertown.
