CNN Money’s best small towns in New England

CNN Money has released its rankings of the 50 best small towns to live in. There are a number of New England communities that made the list. Find out which towns have been singled out for economic viability, green space, good schools, and a strong sense of community.

1. Sharon, Mass.

Sharon residents live close to good jobs in Boston, Providence, and the Route 128 corridor, CNN Money said. It also notes the town of 17,944 people has good schools and a diverse population.

11. Westford, Mass.

There’s a rural feel in this community, where companies like Red Hat and Juniper Networks offer high-tech jobs for workers, CNN Money said. Westford also stands out for its 2,000 acres of conservation land and the Nashoba Valley Ski Area.

15. Shrewsbury, Mass.

Shrewsbury residents benefit from access to jobs in Worcester and Boston, CNN Monday said. The town of 36,048 residents also has one of the lowest tax rates in the state.

23. Merrimack, N.H.

The New Hampshire town is becoming a hot spot for jobs with employers like military engineering firm Nanocorp and an Anheuser-Busch factory, CNN Money said.

26. Brookfield, Conn.

Many residents commute within Fairfield County or to New York City for work, CNN Money said. The town is surrounded by the largest lakes in Connecticut, making it a great spot for water recreation.

30. Windham, N.H.

Residents are drawn to this town of 13,599 people to live close to Boston while benefiting from the absence of sales and income taxes in New Hampshire, CNN Money said. The town does not have much in the way of commercial development, but neighbors Salem, N.H., which is built up.

39. Cheshire, Conn.

Cheshire is located within driving distance from New Haven, Hartford, and Bridgeport, but CNN Money notes that locals complain the traffic can make even short commutes difficult. The town has quaint New England features like horse barns, and an open-air outlet mall is on the way.

50. Simsbury, Conn.

There are 23,689 people who make their home in Simsbury, which is located 15 miles from Hartford, according to CNN Money. Boutiques, farmers’ markets, and five-star restaurants are among the community’s ammenities.