West Berlin

Those of a certain vintage see the name West Berlin and immediately think of Cold War-era Germany and a 12-foot high concrete wall that divided the country. However, the West Berlin neighborhood of Berlin, Connecticut, is far from anything associated with that tense historical period. Situated 15 miles south of Hartford, West Berlin is a combination of rural living and modern convenience, where large homes occupy lots typically measured in acres instead of square feet. The narrow roads cut through abundantly wooded areas, meaning that it can be difficult to even see houses from the street. But despite that rural feel, the neighborhood affords easy access to both Highway 71 and Highway 364 means that amenities are easily within reach of residents. Both the Hospital of Central Connecticut and the Berlin train station are less than 10 minutes away by car, and access to Interstate 691 is equally close. And for those in need of a big-city fix, the train from Berlin to New York City takes two hours and forty minutes. “The neighborhood is very conveniently located,” says Pat Malek, a Realtor with First Choice Realty, who has been selling homes in the area for more than two decades. “But at the same time, it feels like living in the country.”

Homes in West Berlin are typically large, and while architectural styles vary, farmhouse- and ranch-style homes are fairly common. Potential buyers need to be aware that homes in West Berlin sell relatively quickly once they come on the market, and homes have recently been selling for an average of 4% over the asking price. "Houses in the neighborhood sell quickly," says Pat Malek, a Realtor with First Choice Realty, who has been selling homes in the area for more than two decades. "In fact, inventory all over the state is low, and buyers need to be ready to make an offer when they see a home they like. The median sale price of homes in West Berlin is $400,000, and buyers should expect to pay an average of $220 per square foot. A three-bedroom/one-bathroom ranch-style home sells for around $335,000, and prices can go up to $725,000 for a sprawling six-bedroom/four-bathroom two-story contemporary.

West Berlin is districted to the Berlin School District, which earns an overall rating of A-minus from Niche. Students in the neighborhood can attend Emma Hart Willard School, Catherine M. McGee Middle and Berlin High School. Both Emma Hart Willard and Catherine M. McGee earn a B rating from Niche, and Berlin High School earns an A-minus. Students at Berlin High School have over 60 school-sponsored clubs with which they can participate, and athletes can play any of 24 different varsity-level sports. Alternatively, parents in the neighborhood can elect to send their children to any of the area’s private schools, including nearby Choate Rosemary Hall, rated the best private school in Connecticut by Niche.

Given its rural setting, it’s not surprising that West Berlin offers several outlets for outdoor recreation. Among the many natural areas ripe for exploration in the area, Timberlin Park, located on the western edge of the neighborhood, offers visitors a little more than a mile’s worth of hiking trails that wind through heavily wooded areas. Golfers can tee-off at the adjacent Timberlin Golf Course, a par-72 18-hole course with a pro shop staffed by PGA-certified teaching professionals and a full-service restaurant. During the holiday season, those residents looking for a special Christmas tree can cut their own at DeMaria Family Farm in the neighborhood’s southern quadrant or at the centrally-located Hrubiec Farms.

For groceries, neighborhood residents head south to Aldi, which is located off Highway 71 just past the neighborhood’s southern boundary. Target is in the same vicinity, so residents can get their household necessities at the same time as their groceries. Shoppers head to Meriden Mall, which is also just across Kensington Avenue south of the neighborhood, where they can find retailers like Forever 21, Dick’s Sporting Goods and T.J. Maxx. When it’s time for dining out, lovers of authentic Italian cuisine head to Sans-Souci Restaurant for old-world style Italian, complete with white tablecloths and a picture window that looks out on the garden.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Augusto Abreu

Video By

Matthew Bloch