A growing, former farm town in northwestern Connecticut
Set against the rolling Litchfield Hills, Torrington was originally established in the mid-1700s as a farming community and mill town on the Naugatuck River. Today, much of Torrington’s bucolic setting remains intact, with forested hiking trails and vast green spaces like Burr Pond State Park. And it’s this natural beauty that’s helped it become the largest town in Litchfield County, with around 35,500 residents. “It’s getting bigger and bigger, but when you compare Torrington to bigger cities, it feels like the countryside,” says Cathy Macias, a Torrington resident and Realtor with Northwest Connecticut Realty. “During COVID, people from New York, Hartford and even Boston moved here because it’s so much quieter, but the commute back to those cities isn’t too bad.” Locals also enjoy downtown Torrington, where the nearly century-old Warner Theatre and The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory offer a flourishing art scene, and Coe Memorial Park hosts eclectic community events like the Torrington Watermelon Festival & Flea Market.
Downtown Torrington is a lovely small city in the heart of Northwestern Connecticut.
The Jenkins Shelter at Burr Pond State Park provides an incredible view of the pond.
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Some of Torrington’s original homes still stand
Colonial Revival and Greek Revival-style houses fill the Torringford Historic District, a neighborhood dating back to the late 1700s. East End has ranch styles and Cape Cod cottages built between the 1950s and ’60s, while New Traditional houses from the ‘90s sit along the town's outskirts. Torrington's median single-family home price is $286,000, less than Litchfield County’s $390,000. The median townhouse price is $219,500.
Torrington experiences all four seasons, with hot summers and over 50 inches of snowfall every winter. Tropical storms and heavy rainfall may cause the Naugatuck River to overflow, so homeowners closest to the waterway often have flood insurance.
According to FBI data, Torrington’s violent crime rates are higher than state and national figures, while property crime rates are lower.
This Torrington colonial has a corner lot with ample space and a pool only a few blocks from Main Street.
A new traditional home has classical charm with all the modern accouterments of a 21st century home.
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Swimming at Burr Pond State Park, hunting at Sunnybrook State Park
“Fishing, hunting, boating and hiking; that’s what everyone does here,” Macias says. Torrington has 19 green spaces, several of which are state parks. Burr Pond State Park was once the site of the world’s first evaporated milk factory, supplying a valuable food source to the Union Army during the Civil War. Though the factory burned down in 1877, the pond that powered it is now a popular swimming, fishing and kayaking destination. Several trailways span the town and connect the state parks. For instance, Buttrick Trail starts at Burr Pond State Park, cuts across Paugnut State Forest and ends at Sunnybrook State Park, where deer and turkey hunting are permitted. John A. Minetto State Park has cross-country ski trails, and Torrington is near several ski resorts, like Ski Sundown, less than 13 miles northeast.
Though the Naugatuck River runs through the center of town, it’s not a popular recreation spot for locals. “You may see someone randomly fishing on the shore, but the part of the river that’s in Torrington is too narrow and rocky for kayaking, and there aren’t any parks actually on the river,” says Macias.
Sunnybrook State Park is a hidden gem located in Torrington.
John A Minetto State Park is located right off CT-272 in Torrington.
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Hartford, Boston and New York City are all within driving distance from Torrington
A 29-mile drive east on Connecticut state Route 4 leads to Hartford, home to the Bradley International Airport. Boston is 129 miles in the same direction, while New York City is 112 miles south on Connecticut state Route 8. The Northwestern Connecticut Transit District offers bus rides across Litchfield County. Traffic can occasionally stop at streets intersecting with the Naugatuck Railroad, a freight line that runs from Torrington to Waterbury.
The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in south Torrington has 109 beds and an emergency room.
Torrington Public Schools and a repurposed University of Connecticut campus
The city is served by Torrington Public Schools, which earns a C-plus rating from Niche and educates just under 4,000 students with a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Torrington Christian Academy is the only private school in town, and it receives a B-plus.
The University of Connecticut had a campus in Torrington until 2016 when it closed due to declining enrollment. In 2021, the building reopened as the Five Points Arts Center, which has drawing studios, photo printing labs and other free workshops for artists.
Torringford Elementary School is located on the hilltop at 800 Charles Street in Torrington.
Torrington High School is still being updated with beautiful, modernized buildings in Torrington.
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Downtown Torrington's art scene
Locally owned restaurants, art galleries and cultural centers fill downtown Torrington’s Art Deco-style storefronts. Warner Theatre was originally opened by Warner Bros Studios in 1931. After revitalization efforts in the early 2000s, the performing arts center still hosts musicians, plays and comedians. Next door, The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory trains around 50 full-time dancers and puts on several performances at the Warner Theatre, including “The Nutcracker” every December.
The town has a few other commercial centers, like Torrington Fair, a strip mall with grocery stores and chain retailers, but Macias says most shopping is done in nearby towns. “Torrington is not a shopping destination. We don’t have a mall or anything but your basic necessities.” The Shops at Farmington Valley, 14 miles east, is an outdoor mall with 45 stores. Other large shopping centers are in nearby towns like Avon and Waterbury, both about 20 miles away.
The Warner Theater is located in the center of Downtown Torrington and is the largest performing arts center in Northwest Connecticut.
The Nutmeg Conservatory is a renown ballet school that offers boarding and summer programs in Torrington.
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Concerts and festivals at Coe Memorial Park
Coe Memorial Park in downtown Torrington hosts several community events, including the Summer Concerts Series, held every Thursday from June through August. Every summer, the Torrington Watermelon Festival & Flea Market is celebrated with a seed-spitting contest, a watermelon carving competition and eclectic watermelon-flavored food. The Torrington Parks and Recreation Department also organizes Carl Bozenski’s Christmas Village, a Tudor-style home where kids can visit Santa and sip hot chocolate.
Ilka Torres is a Realtor® and entrepreneur who has been helping people buy, sell, and invest in real estate since 2007. A Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Ilka has earned countless production awards and recognition throughout her career. She is not just a Realtor she is also a real estate investor, a property flipper, a landlord and just recently obtained her Broker's license. Needless to say, she LOVE, LOVE, LOVES real estate and is obsessed with leveraging her expertise for her clients. In 2023, Ilka launched her own brokerage, Torbello Real Estate Advisors and brought her team of agents with her. In 2021, Ilka earned her Broker's license. Through her work as a Realtor®, Ilka has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to achieve success in real estate. She knows that buying or selling a home can be daunting, but she also knows that with the right preparation and strategy, anyone can realize their real estate goals. Her mission is to put people at the heart of commerce, empowering them to thrive in their homes and communities.
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