This community is comprised entirely of low-maintenance condominiums (2,850 of them) and is nestled throughout 1,000 wooded, rolling acres in rural southwestern Connecticut.   Nearly all of the units were built in the 1960s and early 1970s; the development has a comfortable, older, rustic feeling instead of the glossy ambiance of many newer communities.  Rather than stressing its architecture, Heritage Village places emphasis on its residents, saying that they create the character of the community.  Nearly 4,000 people live here and enjoy the quiet setting and the beautiful surrounding New England countryside.

Property is quite affordable, another benefit of a Heritage Village retirement.  Condominiums are modest and come in three styles, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom.  The Carriage House unit has one bedroom, one bath and roughly 950 square feet.   Prices for these units start at around $120,000, although some need a little TLC; the average price of a well-kept one bedroom unit is roughly $130,000.   Units with two bedrooms and two baths range in size from a little more than 1,000 square feet to just under 1,500 square feet and come in ten different floor plans; these are the most common dwellings and sell in the $150,000 range with inventory available on either side of that price.   The largest unit is the Berkshire with three bedrooms, two baths and nearly 1,700 square feet.  We did not find any of these units for sale at this writing.

All units are on one level, but since this is a condo development, some units are on the first floor and some are on the second.  One story buildings are interspersed with two story buildings, though, making the community more visually appealing.  Exteriors are wood with shingle roofs.   As with any older community, buyers will find that the interiors of some condo units have been upgraded and some have not.   The monthly HOA fee includes maintenance of the grounds and home exteriors, as well as snow removal and trash collection.   The majority of homes come with covered parking, a private deck or patio, air conditioning, a wood burning fireplace and all appliances (dishwasher, washer/dryer, etc.).  Homeowners must pay their own utilities.   Call 203-264-9644 for more information.

And while Heritage Village is not as glitzy as some of its newer rivals, it is self-contained and there is a lot to do here.  Recreation facilities include an 18-hole golf course, a 9-hole course, four swimming pools, tennis courts, a multi-acre gardening area, a shopping pavilion, several restaurants and seven different recreation buildings, all scattered throughout the development, including a converted barn for woodworking and metalworking and a painting and ceramics studio (formerly horse stables).  There are lounges and libraries, kitchens, a print shop, an auditorium and a gym, as well as fishing in the nearby Pomperaug River or hiking in the Wildlife Area, a 110-acre tract reserved for wildlife and for special hiking excursions under the auspices of the Village Hiking Club.  There are also a number of clubs for residents who like to stay active and join groups.  Near by Woodbury, Connecticut is the "Antiques Capitol of Connecticut."

Located 40 minutes from Hartford, Connecticut and 90 minutes from New York City, affluent Southbury (population 19,000) dates from 1673 and is a charming New England town with summer temperatures that hover in the 80s and winter temperatures that average in the 20s and 30s.  Humidity is in the 70%-75% range.  The sun shines roughly 50% of the time, and the area receives, on average, 5 inches of precipitation per month.   Southbury has a crime rate below the national average.