Center West

Set five miles west of Connecticut's state capital, West Hartford carries the ease of a walkable town with the economic pull of a major metro close by. The University of Hartford and the University of Saint Joseph both anchor the town, lending it a steady academic presence alongside the government, insurance, and healthcare sectors concentrated in Hartford. West Hartford Center, built around Farmington Avenue and Main Street, has served as the commercial core since the late 17th century and still draws people with its mix of independent shops, theaters, and outdoor dining. Neighborhoods like Elmwood, Bishops Corner, and the Asylum Avenue corridor each have their own character, from tree-lined residential streets to areas with quick highway and transit access. Elizabeth Park, home to the oldest public rose garden in the country, sits on the town's northeastern edge and anchors an active outdoor scene year-round.