New Britain is known by many names: "Hardware City," for its manufacturing history and machine shops; "Hard-Hittin' New Britain," because of the tenacity of its residents; or even "New Britski," owing to the town's Polish population. Regardless of the moniker for this community about 15 miles from Hartford, its staples remain the same: international food, cultural events and diverse housing options. With a lively downtown area and subdivisions of single-family homes, condos and apartments, New Britain balances the activity of the city with the stillness and privacy of the suburbs.
"New Britain has had a beautiful reemergence over the last five to seven years," says Bob LaPerla, a real estate agent at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. He attributes the town's advancements to its "forward-thinking" mayor, Erin Stewart, who has been reelected five times. Stewart's business- and development-friendly administration has helped attract nearly 1,500 new businesses to New Britain since 2013, facilitated new developments like the $58 million mixed-use Columbus Commons and invested in several new programs to combat homelessness and addiction.
As New Britain makes progress in its livability and infrastructure, it has maintained a stable population. The U.S. Census estimated that just over 74,000 people were living in the city in 2023, a slight uptick from about 73,000 in 2010.
The New Britain Memorial Day Parade crosses through Little Poland before entering Downtown.
New Britain blends rich history, cultural diversity, and modern development in Connecticut.
Spend your weekends finishing at Batterson Park in New Britain.
Columbus Commons brings modern living to downtown New Britain with new apartments.
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A range of housing options and new apartments downtown
The median price of a single-family home in New Britain is $280,000. That's slightly lower than in neighboring suburbs like Newington and Plainville, which both have median prices in the mid-$300,000s.
New Britain has several communities ranging from suburban to urban and housing built between the 1920s and today. Single-family Cape Cod and Colonial Revival homes with 1,000 to 1,500 square feet often sell for between $200,000 to $300,000. Multifamily houses can sell for between $250,000 and $400,000 depending on the size, and a condo unit can go for $150,000 to $250,000.
Though plenty of older homes have been remodeled recently, others might require a little TLC. "We've recently seen people buying dilapidated homes and fixing them up significantly," LaPerla says. "I think a lot of it has to do with its central Connecticut location. We've seen this influx of people into the state and limited housing supply, so New Britain was ripe for this consideration."
New developments have been underway close to downtown. Among these is Ellis Street Commons, an $85 million apartment complex in a converted factory building that's expected to add over 150 housing units by early 2025. Columbus Commons is another downtown apartment complex, with 80 units completed in 2020.
Find Cap-Cod Style Homes and peaceful neighborhoods throughout New Britain.
New Britain offers many opportunities for low income households and real estate investors.
Raise your family in well kept and safe communities in New Britain.
Find all kinds of beautiful historical architecture in New Britain.
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Over a dozen machine shops and other top employers
Major employers in New Britain include Central Connecticut State University, Stanley Black & Decker headquarters and the New Britain campus of The Hospital of Central Connecticut. Many residents also commute to Hartford for work.
New Britain has over a dozen machine shops, following a legacy of machine work in the city that dates back to the 19th century. LaPerla says major companies such as Pratt & Whitney, headquartered in East Hartford, contract work out to some of New Britain's machine facilities. "There's a strong history of Polish machinists in New Haven," LaPerla says. "It has diminished in its size, but it's still there." Today, the town's population is increasingly diverse, and about 44% of New Britain's population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
CCSU in New Britain combines academic excellence with a welcoming campus vibe.
Explore innovation at Stanley Black & Decker, a leading employer in New Britain.
The Hospital of Central Connecticut provides expert care to New Britain.
Little Poland in New Britain celebrates Polish heritage with restaurants and shops.
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Recreation at renovated parks and celebrating Polish heritage
New Britain has 44 parks, several of which have recently been improved. The Stanley Loop trail connecting Stanley Quarter Park and AW Stanley Park was completed in 2024. The accessible, ADA-compliant path was added alongside other park upgrades like new basketball courts and playgrounds. Osgood Park underwent a $10.5 million renovation in 2024, gaining a new turf field, an outdoor classroom, a playground, a splash pad and more.
The community hosts an annual Little Poland Festival to celebrate its Polish culture and roots. Highlights include folk dancing, arts and crafts, live music and traditional dishes like pierogis and paczkis. The community also organizes a Summer Music Series from July to August, with weekly performances at Walnut Hill Park in genres ranging from rhythm and blues to classic rock.
Check out the newly built courts at the Osgood Park in New Britain.
Walk the Stanley Loop and enjoy scenic views at Stanley Quarter Park in New Britain.
Walnut Hill Park is a paradise in the middle of the neighborhood of New Britain.
Read a book and enjoy the captivating views at Walnut Hill Park. in New Britain
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Global flavors in downtown New Britain
Downtown New Britain is home to many local businesses and restaurants. For a night out, Five Churches Brewing has beers on tap and customizable flights along Arch Street. Broad Street is home to several Polish restaurants and delis. Taste of Poland is one such spot, serving up potato pancakes, pierogis and other traditional dishes.
Latin American restaurants are also a popular pick in New Britain. "MofonGo has a good clientele," says Carla Juvencio, a Realtor from Re/Max Precision Realty who has been selling houses in the area for 16 years. "It's very well-known and popular – really good traditional food." At MofonGo, customers can order bowl-style meals filled with their favorite meats, veggies and toppings alongside traditional Puerto Rican and Latin American appetizers like canoa and empanadas.
Beyond standard grocers like Stop & Shop, Polmart carries cuisine and retail goods from Poland and other Eastern European countries, and Angelo's Market is a gourmet Italian grocery store.
Explore Polish flavors at Taste of Poland, a New Britain favorite.
Try Mofongo's signature dish the 'Pernil' Mofongo in New Britain.
Relax with friends at Five Churches Brewing, a craft beer hub in New Britain.
Find all your favorite Italian specialties at Angelo's Market in New Britain.
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Newly installed bike lanes and other modes of transit
The Bike New Britain initiative has brought new bicycle-friendly infrastructure to town, including the CTfastrak Multi-Use Trail between Downtown New Britain Station and Newington Junction Station. This 5-mile path features lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. Commuters can also ride the CTfastrak bus rapid transit system, which links New Britain to other communities such as Hartford and Newington.
Drivers can take Interstate 84 northeast into Hartford or 120 miles southwest into New York City. Routes 9 and 72 through New Britain also connect to Interstate 84. Bradley International Airport is about 25 miles north. For medical care, New Britain has a branch of The Hospital of Central Connecticut and the Hospital for Special Care, and Hartford Hospital is 10 miles northeast.
New Britain's School District earns a C
There are 14 public schools in the Consolidated School District of New Britain, which earns an overall C grade from Niche. However, the House of Arts Letters and Science Academy earns an A-minus and was ranked the No. 2 standout middle school in Connecticut by Niche. New Britain is also home to Central Connecticut State University, which enrolls about 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
New Britain High School serves students in grades 9-12.
Academy of Science and Innovation in New Britain is a leader in academic performance.
Pulaski Middle School is located on Farmington Avenue in New Britain.
Jefferson Elementary School provides a public education to students K-5 in New Britain.
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Logistics of crime and weather in New Britain
In 2023, the New Britain Police Department reported a total of 3,823 crimes, including 2,097 violent crimes and 1,726 property crimes. That's about 52 crimes per 1,000 people, above the state average of about 24 crimes per 1,000 people.
New Britain, like the rest of the Hartford metro area, experiences warm summers and cold winters with sporadic snowfall. Winter storms are the most common natural disaster, and icy conditions, hail and heavy snow can pose a risk in the colder months.
Kelly Sypher Puorro is a 20 year veteran of the real estate industry and has represented clients from all over Connecticut. She specializes in the Lower River Valley area where she was born and raised. She has built a solid foundation of clients in this community through her professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to always put her client’s needs first.
Kelly earned her broker’s license in 2008 and has continued leveraging her know-how and experience to exceed her client’s expectations. She is a multi-million dollar producer and has earned numerous awards throughout her career including Ruby Award Recipient, Quality Service Survey Award, and Homesnap Pro Top 5% Nationwide Award.
Kelly continues to call the Lower River Valley home where she lives with her husband Brandon, their 5 children, and 4 dogs. She enjoys boating, motorcycle riding, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
