The city of Hartford is the capital of Connecticut, located on the Connecticut River in the north central part of the state. Hartford is a well-established city that takes pride in its nearly 400 years of history. The area was discovered by Dutch fur traders in the early 17th century, and later settled by the English in 1635, who first named the area Newtown, but later changed it to Hartford. During the development of the young nation, Hartford became a center for democracy and freedom for the future state. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, written by colony founder and leader Thomas Hooker in 1639, is credited by many historians as being a precursor to the U.S. Constitution. Later, the city became a hub for abolitionists, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, one of the key abolitionist writers, was counted among its residents.

Today Hartford boasts a metro population of nearly 1.2 million people. Since the establishment of The Hartford Financial Services Group in 1810, Hartford has been known as “the insurance capital of the world.” Companies such as Aetna and Phoenix Wealth Management are headquartered here, while dozens more have branch offices located in Hartford.

Living in Hartford has proven to be exciting and rewarding. Recently many efforts have been taken to build up the city’s downtown area, which now features several new developments such as the Connecticut Center for Science and Exploration, new residential units at Adriaen’s Landing, as well as the expansion and improvement of riverfront parks and nearby neighborhoods. Due to these new features, real estate in Hartford has become more desirable than ever. When looking to invest, you will find that Hartford’s real estate market offers a variety of options, including single family residences, newly constructed homes, condominiums, and waterfront properties, all in a wide array of communities. Hartford’s community of Frog Hollow is popular due to its close proximity to downtown, and the fact that it is home to the prestigious Trinity College. The neighborhood of Asylum Hill, which contains many large historic homes, is well known for its notable residents, such as Mark Twain, Calvin Day, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Hartford’s West End contains the University of Hartford and many upscale residences, including that of the governor. These are just a few of the areas featured in Hartford’s real estate market, but with over 15 major neighborhoods to choose from, Hartford home buyers are sure to find a perfect fit.

© 2008 Reliance Relocation Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.