Share our Lives: What I Love About Where We Live

This month for Share Our lives we're talking about the unique features of where we live and why we love where we live.

First off I guess I should start with where we live! We live in Connecticut; just a small state in southern New England which makes it so very easy to visit ALL the other New England states. In just 2-3 hours I can be in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont. In minutes I can be in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.   

One thing I love about where we live is that in just about an hour I can be anywhere:

 I can be at the beach/shoreline (in either Ct, Mass, or Rhode Island).


I can be in the mountains (in Ct, Mass, New Hampshire).

 

Mt. Wachusett-- Massachusetts 


Mt.Monadnock- New Hampshire

Castle Craig-- Ct.

I can be in 3 different state capital cities-- Hartford, Ct, Prividence, RI, or Boston, Massachusettes. And we have many smaller cities like Worcester, Mass even closer than that. So it's easy to pop in and see a show or make a weekend trip. 

Providence Performing Arts Center

 

just one stop on Boston's Freedom trail

We have lots and lots and lots of beautiful hiking trails all around.

 




We live right on a lake and have a great vantage point for swimming and boating in the summer, ice fishing and ice skating in the winter.

 


We enjoy a full 4 seasons of weather and beauty... even if I often think winter feels far too long and summer much too short. I'd miss not living in a place that gets a true fall with lots of beautiful foliage. 


 

It's where both my husband and I grew up so we're near lots of friends and family (though mine seem to be slowly migrating south!). 

We live out in the country where it's pretty quiet most of the time and yet with just a short drive we have the opportunity to visit several amusement parks, adventure parks, Native American resort/casinos, museums, farms, zoos, etc. so we're rarely bored.

Foxwoods resort casino


With the birth of our nation starting with the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock all the New England states are so steeped in history. We have tons of living history museums preserving the way of life of colonial Americans and even tribes of native Americans as far back as you can imagine. We've even toured the actual Mayflower ship (that my ancestors took here from England-- because I am a direct descendant)!

 

Mystic Seaport; a recreation of a 19th century New England coastal village

Plimoth Plantation: a 17th century colonial settlement

Mashentucket Pequot Museum: owned and run by the tribal nation telling their story of their people and the connection to the land here in Connecticut

Old Sturbridge Village: A recreated 1830's New England Town

 

Other blogs I've written about where we live: 

16 places to visit in Connecticut

 


20 Massachusetts Attractions we've been to at least once; just as day trips! 


 15 Rhode Island family attractions: a list of day trips we've taken in RI


I also ABSOLUTELY LOVE that we have had zero homeschooling laws to contend with for all our years of homeschooling. In the United States each state gets to set their own homeschooling laws and in CT we are only required to let our local public school know that we are homeschooling. There is no oversight of any kind and we are considered our own private school. It has made homeschooling so very easy for us as compared to other states that require annual testing, portfolio reviews, or local sign off of our homeschooling plans/curriculum. The freedom has been wonderful and I always said I'd never move until either our laws changed or all the boys were done homeschooling. 

What are some of the things you love about where you live?
 
I hope you'll join us next month when we share our best vacation memory (or memories!)

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Comments

  1. Handmade in IsraelJune 9, 2025 at 5:29 AM

    So nice to learn about Connecticut. You certainly do have some gorgeous hiking trails!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MarilynJune 9, 2025 at 6:07 AM

    I loved reading this! You really are in a great place of the country I need to come visit.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maria RineerJune 9, 2025 at 6:18 AM

    You've identified some absolutely amazing things about living where you do. I knew from looking on a map that Connecticut (as well as most New England states) are small geographically, but it was another thing to be there and drive in the area to see how quickly you could be in one state to another. I, too, love being in an area that is close to lots of pretty natural areas but also close to cities and the amenities there. That is so cool about your personal history and the Mayflower!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne June 9, 2025 at 3:02 PM

      Thank you; it is weird for us when we start hitting the larger southern states and those "welcome to" signs get further and further apart! Yep, my grandfather traced our family ancestry back to the Mayflower-- I am the 9th great granddaughter of John and Priscilla Alden.

      Delete
  4. NatashaJune 9, 2025 at 6:37 AM

    So Dave was actually born in Connecticut but we've barely driven into it and never explored. You are inspiring me to actually spend some time exploring there next time we are in the area!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne June 9, 2025 at 3:03 PM

      I hope you do! I rarely get to explore the other end of the state though; even though we're a small state traffic can be brutal.

      Delete
  5. Amy ScottJune 9, 2025 at 6:43 AM

    Your location to so many New England places is so cool to me!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kim CarberryJune 9, 2025 at 6:58 AM

    This was such an interesting read. You live in such a great place, being close to the beach, mountains and bigger cities.
    I love the idea of living right on a lake. The fun you must have in the water.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne June 9, 2025 at 3:04 PM

      Thank you so much! I hate to admit that I hardly ever go in the water.. it's a pretty weedy lake and I get creeped out when I can't see my feet anymore.

      Delete
  7. HollyJune 9, 2025 at 7:11 AM

    Thank you for reminding me how wonderful and beautiful our New England is. We are truly blessed!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Adrienne PatenaudeJune 9, 2025 at 8:04 AM

    I would love to visit and see all the things. I didn't realize you live on the water.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne June 9, 2025 at 3:05 PM

      Yep we built our house on a small lake when we first got married.

      Delete
  9. Dara @ Not In JerseyJune 9, 2025 at 8:50 AM

    I'm excited to visit New England! I actually haven't spent much time in CT, other than driving through.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne June 9, 2025 at 3:06 PM

      I think driving through it is the worst part! LOL. We ALWAYS get stuck in hours worth of traffic if we're trying to head southwest towards New York.

      Delete
  10. Melynda@Scratch Made Food!June 9, 2025 at 9:49 AM

    When I view the photos you share I immediately see that the East Coast is so different from the West Coast I grew up with! I do hope to visit the East Coast to see all the beauty it too, offers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne June 9, 2025 at 3:07 PM

      I would LOVE to get to the West Coast to compare. I haven't made it that far yet (other than our real quick middle of the night layover in LAX for our recent Hawaii trip).

      Delete
  11. Kari June 9, 2025 at 10:39 AM

    I love your comment about living just an hour from everything. We live near two major cities, but that’s about it. I really love the East Coast and hope we get to visit more someday. My dad was raised in New Jersey, and I would love to go back and explore it sometime.

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    Replies
    1. Joanne June 9, 2025 at 3:07 PM

      New Jersey has some really cute beach towns!

      Delete
  12. JoyceJune 9, 2025 at 12:20 PM

    I love New England and really the whole east coast which is where I have spent the most time living. SC has friendly homeschool guidelines too (my daughter has been homeschooling, although the boys will be in a hybrid school next year-two days in school and the rest at home) I love all the history on the East Coast and the natural beauty too. I like seasons and don't think I could live in Florida for that reason. We have super mild winters here with usually just one snowfall, but we have gorgeous springs and falls and of course summer on the lake is fun. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne June 9, 2025 at 3:09 PM

      Up until a few years ago I had never even traveled west of the Mississippi (but once I shared my goal to see all 50 states with my husband we've been trying to branch out more). We have been an East Coast family for sure-- often driving to visit family in North Carolina and Florida.

      Delete
  13. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiJune 9, 2025 at 12:20 PM

    You live ina beautiful part of CT, Joanne! As we lived in NYC most pf our lives before moving tomColorado, we often took trips to the New Englanmd states and I had a favorite area in each I dreamed about moving to one day. In Connecticut I dreamed of living in Litchfield! :) My younger brother lives in a coatal town in Massachusetts and we also love his area. We followed our kids out west and don't regret it. There are so mnay wonderful places in the US!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne June 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM

      Aw, thank you! I oddly have never been to Litchfield. We rarely travel west of Hartford unless we're leaving the state entirely.

      Delete
  14. csuhpat1June 9, 2025 at 12:23 PM

    Such a beautiful part of the country. I can see why you love it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jodie's Touch of StyleJune 9, 2025 at 12:29 PM

    Wow,,,I always thought you were in Maine. But you definitely have all the landscapes at your fingertips.
    Plus it's good to love where you live...gratitude is everything.
    XOXO
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne June 9, 2025 at 3:13 PM

      Nope, we just visit Maine... a LOT! I love it up there.

      Delete
  16. Marsha BanksJune 9, 2025 at 2:58 PM

    Wow! You really are close to so much and yet out in the country. That’s so cool you are a direct descendant of the Mayflower.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
  17. Benita JamesJune 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM

    Living on a lake, enjoying all four seasons, and being close to family and friends really adds to the appeal.

    It's also fascinating to hear about Connecticut's homeschooling laws and how they've provided such valuable freedom for your family. That's a huge benefit!

    ReplyDelete

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