Crossing the river sucks either way. So try to stay on one side.

West Hartford and Glastonbury both have good school systems. But houses in west Hartford are older and more expensive. Taxes are probably close.

Farmington is a nice area. Lower taxes and very good school system. Avon, simsbury, and Farmington are among the best school districts in the Hartford area.

Now that the housing market is so over heated, depends on what you’re looking for, your budget of 500k might not get you much. Maybe check out renting for a year or two when more houses are available and mortgage rate comes down.

So your employer is in East Hartford? Is it Pratt and whitney by any chance?