Capture the attention of property managers Post a rental listing on the Zillow Rental Network The fastest way to reach our Media Relations team is to email press@zillow.com Exurban cities dominated Zillow's most-popular cities list in 2024 The majority of this year's most popular cities were exurbs — charming smaller towns situated beyond the suburbs yet within commuting distance of a major metropolitan area These communities strike a balance between suburban amenities and being located just a hop skip and a jump from the vibrant offerings and thriving job markets of large urban centers Zillow's top 10 most popular markets of 2024: "In another year of higher mortgage rates areas of affordability and opportunity were center stage in 2024," said Zillow Chief Economist Skylar Olsen more people are discovering hidden-gem cities they might have previously overlooked when daily commutes were the norm Buyers are seeking out locations that offer the right mix of affordable living and lifestyle amenities new listings can remain sparse in the hottest spots as existing owners continue to hold on and hold back." To determine the most popular markets in 2024 Zillow analyzed housing metrics in cities across the U.S home value growth and how quickly homes sell Most popular on Zillow overall: Manchester has seen growing interest among home shoppers That has contributed to typical home values jumping 7.3% over the past year Manchester remains more affordable than nearby Boston Manchester has garnered particular attention from potential buyers outside of its metro area suggesting a strong interest in relocating there OhioWhile affordability captivated many home shoppers on Zillow Toledo stood out as the top choice among large cities in 2024 The typical home in Toledo is worth $121,000 making it an attractive option for buyers seeking affordability From its proximity to Lake Erie to its thriving art scene 3 respectively among the most popular large cities PennsylvaniaJust south of Pennsylvania's state capital and less than a two-hour drive west of Philadelphia lies Elizabethtown — Zillow's most popular small town of 2024 Elizabethtown features picturesque streets all of which are attracting the interest of Zillow shoppers Home buyers looking to settle in Elizabethtown must act fast as homes for sale there typically go under contract within just five days While Elizabethtown claimed the top ranking in this category Midwest small-town hot spots were not far behind ConnecticutMilford emerged as the most popular coastal city among Zillow shoppers this year With 17 miles of  coastline along Long Island Sound the area has plenty of seaside attractions MaineNestled on a peninsula that extends into Casco Bay Portland secured its position as the top vacation city among Zillow shoppers Portland draws visitors in search of a coastal getaway The East Coast dominated the most popular vacation towns among Zillow shoppers this year edged out California cities Monterey and Santa Barbara for the second and third spots in Zillow's ranking Pahrump is this year's most popular retirement city With a warm climate and more than one-third of its population ages 65 and older Pahrump is an ideal community for retirees Pahrump bumped last year's top retirement city — Pinehurst North Carolina — to the second spot on this year's list IllinoisNormal is home to the Illinois State University Redbirds and is now Zillow's most popular college town Coming in at number two for the second year is Kent Trailing close behind were San Luis Obispo California (where California Polytechnic State University is located); Charlottesville Virginia (home to the University of Virginia); and La Crosse Wisconsin (the site of the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse) Most popular cities by geographic regionFrom coast to coast here's a look at this year's top cities for capturing the attention of home shoppers in each region: Methodology and definitionsTo determine the most popular city overall and most popular city by geographic region Zillow analyzed cities with a population of at least 100,000 people according to 2022 American Community Survey data Large cities were defined as having a population of at least 250,000 people Small towns were defined as having a population of no more than 20,000 people Coastal cities were defined as areas where more than half of listing descriptions on Zillow mentioned the beach and excluded all cities that did not feature the word "beach" in at least 50 listings on Zillow Zillow's analysis only considered cities having a population of at least 25,000 people Vacation towns were defined as areas where more than 33% of the housing units were designated for non-primary use Cities qualifying as college towns based on this analysis were excluded given the potential overlap in housing units designated for non-primary use Retirement towns were defined as areas where at least 33% of the population is older than 65 and has no children or other relatives (other than a spouse) living in the home College towns were defined as cities with at least 20% of the population enrolled in higher education The most popular cities by geographic region are defined by the Northeast (CT (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people As the most visited real estate website in the United States Zillow and its affiliates help people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) the United States Northeast has long been overlooked for its advantages as a retirement destination senior-friendly towns with excellent amenities and easy access to top healthcare facilities make for ideal retirement spots Starting with the largest and arguably most picturesque city on the list, Milford is a coastal city of 50,000 primed as a playground for retirees who don't want to kick their feet up and take it easy you won't find an easier community to come and go as you please Just a short drive or train ride southwest of Bridgeport Milford is a coastal gem primed for retirees who want a balance of relaxation and activity Take part in the Oyster Festival every third week in August and enjoy listening to such bands as Joan Jett You can enjoy walking the beach since Milford has over 14 miles of shoreline affordable community with quick access to a larger city nearby Avon provides retirees with peaceful suburban living while keeping them within easy reach of top-tier healthcare and amenities Because West Hartford is only seven miles away the Pine Grove School House has been transformed into a museum open to the public The Blue Fox Run Golf Course is popular with the retired Middletown is a surprising option for retirees Enjoy visual and performing arts from Wesleyan University or the well-known youth theater group See a different view of Middletown while taking the Katharine Cruises along the Connecticut River or explore the Mattabesett Trail that traverses the Metacomet Ridge The Middlesex Historical Society is a fun local museum preserving regional history the Middletown Senior and Community Center is available to residents 60 years of age and older If you aim to be in the middle of the action, Mystic is the place for you. One of Connecticut's top tourism destinations, there is never a shortage of activities. Mystic isn't an actual town; it is a census-designated place and village in Groton and Stonington. But the area will have you feeling New England vibes Enjoy the area's beauty from the Mystic Bridge Cultural District The area is home to a couple of first-class retirement living centers Southbury is known for its strong combination of a rural lifestyle and bustling city amenities Southbury has three state parks: Kettletown State Park (south of Southbury) and Southford Falls State Park (southeast of Southbury) the strength of Southbury is its retirement village which is one of New England's largest retirement communities Situated on the Connecticut shoreline midway between Boston and New York City with a direct connection to Interstate 95 and the Shore Line East Train Station as public transportation Madison has closer access to world-class cities than most retirement communities Madison has a percentage of retirees age 65 or older at approximately 14% with East Wharf and West Wharf Beach on Wharf Road and The Surf Club encompassing 45 acres on Long Island Sound with bocce courts and horseshoe pits available for recreation Located where the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River meet is the town of Old Saybrook a waterfront hideaway that is the perfect option for a retiree looking to blend the charm of the Northeast right on the water Cultural art enthusiasts will feel at home retiring to this small Connecticut town of just over 10,000 people One of the most famed actresses on the silver screen is honored here with the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Museum You'll find a 285-seat theater to enjoy arts programming over 300 days out of the year The retirement population percentage is just under 15% while the median household income is north of $80,000 The Old Saybrook train station was rebuilt in 2002 and provides daily service to Boston and New York Church in the Quaker Farms Historic District, Oxford, CT. By Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons rural retirement within a 40-minute drive of Bridgeport Oxford’s New England charm and proximity to New Haven’s healthcare facilities make it an attractive option Oxford is located in a part of Connecticut known for its Quaker Farms a village-style atmosphere encompassing shops and holding many community activities throughout the year channeling your inner cowboy is what you desire a family-owned and operated horseback riding barn within Oxford's town limits creeks and woods that are accessible for even the most novice rider You need not worry about additional amenities since Oxford is only 15 miles northwest of New Haven where you can take advantage of first-class healthcare facilities While the Northeast isn't as well known for its retirement communities as more traditional locales, like Florida or Arizona you can see retirement has a new meaning in Connecticut and some of the best healthcare facilities in the country these small Connecticut towns will have retirees thinking more about leaf-watching in the fall than strolling down a beach photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com FRANKLIN — Educators are entering the new school year with a sense of trepidation after last month's failed override vote initially led to the slashing of 37 positions administrators and other non-union personnel In an interview with the Daily News, Franklin Education Association President Donna Grady said teachers are anxious about the coming year. Grady, a kindergarten teacher at Helen Keller Elementary School called the local school budget a "moral document." and many of the citizens of Franklin are telling us they don't value the educators or the education of their children "And that has been a continuing message and that message is loud and clear." 'Public system decimated': Franklin voters reject $6.8 million override in special election In a recent memo to the community, Superintendent of Schools Lucas Giguere announced that the 37 positions were being eliminated to help balance the fiscal 2025 budget we're losing veteran educators," Grady said "It was 37 initially and then there were many transfers there were people who resigned — we had about 18 resignations last week." Grady said other educators are putting in for leaves of absence as students lose out on various programs and electives "Not knowing what the year was going to bring it's had a ripple effect and we still don't know what that's going to look like come September," she said What's getting cut from the Franklin school budget?Two weeks after the failed override vote the Town Council approved an increase of $1,145,000 from the municipal budget in order to help fund the schools That put the revised fiscal 2025 school budget at nearly $76.5 million or $2.8 million less than what it would have if it were level serviced from the previous year A June 28 memo from Giguere outlined some restorations to previously announced cuts. At the elementary schools impacts include an a potential reduction in student curriculum specialists library support and an adjustment counselor School libraries will be closed on some weekdays The June 26 memo said elementary school teachers will be reinstated to kindergarten Student instructional intervention supports will also be reinstated The plan originally called for eliminating middle school chorus and orchestra programs; however the June 26 memo said the chorus program will be reinstated Each of Franklin's two middle school will have just one Spanish teacher Access to libraries at the middle schools will be limited courses that are required to graduate will be prioritized over electives resulting in some elective classes being reduced or eliminated This includes advanced placement (AP) classes other science classes and arts electives such as theater and music production The remaining $500,000 would have gone toward "increases to general town and school facility operating expenses," according to the pledge Had the override passed, the average Franklin homeowner's tax bill would have increased by $552.82 for fiscal 2025, according to an override document provided by the town in addition to the normal annual increase allowed under Proposition 2 1/2 That figure is based on the town's current tax rate of $11.79 and average single-family home value of $650,377 "These children are our future and they deserve the same opportunities that their previous peers had," Grady said "We need to remember that these are the kids that are going to be taking care of us of the cuts in Franklin have been to educators who are facing students Children are going to be impacted every day 2023 at 5:02 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Scott Marlow is running for a seat on the Board of Aldermen in Milford as a Republican Candidate to represent the 2nd District (Submitted by Scott Marlow)MILFORD,CT — As the 2023 municipal elections get closer in Milford there are plenty of races with candidates who are eager to serve in elected office Milford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will publish candidate profiles as Election Day draws near is running for a seat on the Board of Aldermen in Milford as a Republican Candidate to represent the 2nd District Marlow has worked in the construction industry for almost 45 years and the last 30 of those years has been with A.P Construction working as a construction manager/superintendent overseeing large commercial construction projects Marlow has been promoted to the director of field operations They have four grown children (two girls and two boys) The oldest three are married and reside in Milford they have two sons-in-law and one daughter-in-law the icing on the cake is their five grandchildren I felt that it was important to give to others and to serve in all aspects of life when possible My interest in local government began some 30-plus years ago I’ve been most fortunate to have been elected and appointed to several boards One of my goals continues to be that Milford is prepared for the future Fiscal responsibility and issues surrounding Milford's development come to mind the importance of being aware of where our tax monies are allocated became a priority for me Balancing what the city needs or wants while living within the confines of the budget is a main focus Milford residents should be confident that their tax dollars are being managed by those with good judgement I will continue to work as a leader and a voice for all of Milford's citizens to help insure Milford is fiscally sound Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___ I am a strong supporter our local Police and Emergency Departments and I will vote to give them the resources needed to successfully protect and care for our citizens while working with our leaders to stay within our means What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post All of Milford's residents deserve a voice regardless of voter status or party affiliation support and work for our people and vote in the best interest of our city What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign has also been a concern of mine and is a major issue within our city I believe a clear plan that would balance and uphold regulated development while maintaining the uniqueness and charm of Milford is needed Having served on the Planning and Zoning board for 5 years I understand many of the challenges facing our boards and our community I will continue to work and address the concerns of our neighbors and business owners in these matters What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions and a candidate from the second district running as an incumbent for the Board of Aldermen on November 7 I am a resident of Milford and have lived here for 43 years My wife Joyce and I have been married for 42 years Three of our four children their spouses and our five grand children Our youngest son is actively serving in the military I am a Christian have served in local churches since 1989 At 18 years old I began working in the construction industry For the last 30 of those years I have been with the same company as a construction project manager Earlier this year I was promoted to the Director of Field Operations It has been mostly through my church and local government that I have been actively serving and volunteering I care deeply about people and the city of Milford The varied experiences from the many positions I’ve held throughout my life while serving the city of Milford in local government and within the private sector has prepared me to hold the office of Aldermen and has allowed me to speak to the many issues and challenges facing the great city of Milford today I humbly ask that you consider voting for me on Election Day https://www.milfordctgop.com Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. FRANKLIN — Early voting is underway for a special election in which residents are being asked to raise an extra $6.8 million in real estate and personal property taxes to help balance the town's budget for fiscal 2025 the average residential taxpayer will see his or her annual bill rise by more than $550 in fiscal 2025 Who made the most?: 2023 municipal salary database for Franklin The remaining $500,000 would go toward "increases to general town and school facility operating expenses," according to the pledge Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, at Franklin High School The override is the only question on the ballot "The troubles that we're dealing with at the local level are largely driven by the inflation-related issues with expenses and cost of goods," said Town Administrator Jamie Hellen "Like a lot of communities across the Commonwealth we're struggling to be able to maintain all those services within the Proposition 2 1/2 it has come to our attention a request from the School Committee to try and look at an override to help try to patch the school budget for fiscal 2025." Hellen added that problems facing Franklin Public Schools are similar to those in other school districts "School districts have seen huge increases due to inflation additional needs for students and cost increases that were unforeseen," he said a majority of the money is going toward the Franklin Public School District to try to make their budget solving and sustainable for the long term." What is an override?State law limits the total amount of property taxes that a city or town can assess each year This limit cannot increase by more than 2.5% per year residents can "override" this limit by majority vote The override enables a community to permanently increase its levy limit Overrides are not uncommon in Massachusetts. Just last year, Hopedale voters approved a $1.35 million override to avoid the closure of the town's library and senior center More: 'The town had no money.' Hopedale approves $1.35M override to balance town budget The actual increase for each homeowner is based on the assessment of his or her home Failure to pass the override would result in the town being forced to make more than $6 million in fiscal 2025 budget cuts a municipal ballot question committee formed by several residents cuts "would be felt most significantly to the school system," but that other areas like police fire and DPW would also be affected because certain education mandates must be prioritized According to a document produced by the town of frequently asked questions officials would also need to consider such options as employee health care estimates draining revolving accounts and increasing user fees What do I need to know to vote?Early voting has begun The Town Clerk's Office is hosting in-person early voting during its normal business hours There will also be one scheduled weekend session — from 9 a.m June 1 — when people can vote at the Town Clerk's Office Vote-by-mail or "absentee" ballots are also available but they must be requested by the voter from the Town Clerk's Office All registered voters are eligible to vote in the special election 2020 at 10:49 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}One of the city's most prominent developers has officially filed plans with the Planning and Zoning Department for a major downtown development that would create a municipal parking garage and quite possibly a grocery store (Rendering of the development courtesy of Metro Star Properties LLC)MILFORD CT — One of the city's most prominent developers has officially filed plans with the Planning and Zoning Department for a major downtown development that would create a municipal parking garage and quite possibly a small grocery store who is Executive Managing Director and Founder of Metro Star Properties LLC confirmed he has filed plans with the city for the development at 44-64 River Street 12,000 square-feet of retail space and the "first priority is for a grocery store like Trader Joe's." The lower level is a municipal garage with 120 parking spaces and this garage will be leased to the city for $1 per year for 99 years There will be 76 parking spaces on the upper level for the apartments and retail uses Smith said he already has some leads on finding a grocer for the development He stressed there is no deal with Trader Joe's currently We do have interest from smaller grocers now it would be great for downtown," Smith said This development has been in the works for several years and was approved by the Board of Aldermen back in 2019 Milford's Economic Development Director Julie Nash said the proposed project is a "good" one as it strikes a delicate balance of preserving the city's charm but also moving Milford forward She said it's a fact that a project like this one is good for downtown businesses as it will bring more people to the area and help the established businesses She said the plans by Metro Star are "beautiful." She added that a parking garage is badly needed so parking is more accessible downtown which again should help established businesses and help attract new businesses to the area As for the plans for a "very small grocery store," Nash said it's definitely a good idea as people can walk from the train to pick up essential items She said the downtown will soon have everything you can access by walking including: doctor's offices Rendering of the development courtesy of Metro Star Properties LLC