The local advantage
The hometown agent who knows this town
More than a quarter century in real estate and more than 50 years living in Oxford have taught Susan Hotchkiss that this town sells on its story. She has watched the Naugatuck Valley change for decades, and she knows how an Oxford property compares with its neighbors across Seymour, Southbury, and Shelton.
For sellers, that local knowledge translates directly into results: the right price, the right positioning, and the right buyers. For buyers, it means an agent who can honestly describe every street, school, and commute in town.
“Because experience matters.”
Susan Hotchkiss · Realtor & Listing Specialist
Life in Oxford
Why people choose this town
Oxford pairs small-town pace with easy access to two of Connecticut's biggest job centers. Here is what buyers and sellers ask Susan about most.
01
A river town in the Naugatuck Valley
Oxford is a residential town of about 12,700 people (2020 Census) in western New Haven County, with the Housatonic River and Lake Zoar along its edge. It is part of the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region.
02
Incorporated in 1798
Settled as farmland within Derby, Oxford became its own parish in 1741 and was incorporated by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1798, named for Oxford, England. Gristmills, sawmills, and paper mills powered its early economy.
03
Oxford Center, Quaker Farms, Riverside
Three distinct settled areas shape the town. The Quaker Farms Historic District, on the National Register of Historic Places, is anchored by Christ Church Episcopal, built in 1814.
04
Southford Falls State Park
A 169-acre state park on the Oxford-Southbury line with a tiered waterfall, a covered bridge, an observation tower, and Paper Mill Pond, a regularly stocked trout park.
05
Jackson Cove on Lake Zoar
The town beach and boat launch on the Housatonic River impoundment: a sandy beach, pavilion, playground, and 27 acres of woodland trails. Beach access uses a resident permit or a daily nonresident pass.
06
Kirk's Pond at Town Hall
The gathering spot in the center of town: ice skating in winter and kids' fishing in warmer months, right across from municipal offices.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census, Town of Oxford, Oxford Public Schools, Connecticut DEEP state park pages, and the National Register of Historic Places.
Schools
Oxford Public Schools, kindergarten through high school
Oxford runs its own public school district, headquartered on Great Oak Road, so most students move through the same familiar buildings from kindergarten to graduation.
A note on Region 15: the Pomperaug Regional School District 15 serves the neighboring towns of Southbury and Middlebury. Oxford is not part of Region 15, and Oxford students attend Oxford's own public schools.
Oxford Public Schools district siteSchool assignment and grade configurations are subject to change; always confirm current boundary and zone details with the district when you are house hunting.
Quaker Farms School
PreK-2
Great Oak Elementary School
Grades 3-5
Oxford Middle School
Grades 6-8
Oxford High School
Grades 9-12
Commute context
Where the valley roads take you
No interstate runs through Oxford itself. I-84, the main east-west corridor, runs just north through Southbury and is reached via Route 67 or Route 188. Route 8, the limited-access highway up the Naugatuck Valley, runs just east through Seymour and is reached via Route 67 or Route 313.
Commuters also catch the Metro-North Waterbury line at the station in nearby Seymour, a direct option for trips toward Bridgeport, Stamford, and Grand Central.
Drive times are typical non-rush-hour estimates and vary with traffic, weather, and route.
New Haven
about 15 miles
about 25-35 minutes
Waterbury
about 13 miles
about 17 minutes
Danbury
about 23 miles
about 28-31 minutes
Bridgeport
about 21 miles
about 26 minutes
Hartford
about 42 miles
about 45-48 minutes
Around town
Where Oxford eats
A few local favorites Susan recommends to buyers and sellers alike. Visit their websites for hours and menus.
Oxford House Tavern
441 Oxford Rd, Oxford, CT
(203) 463-8904
Morea Restaurant
340 Oxford Rd, Oxford, CT
(203) 463-8227
Sitting Duck Tavern
360 Center Rock Green, Oxford, CT
(203) 941-5141
Brookside Inn Restaurant
231 Oxford Rd, Oxford, CT
(203) 888-2272
Bobby Fritz Snack Bar
72 Oxford Rd, Oxford, CT
(203) 888-9604
Oxford Pizza Palace
71 Oxford Rd, Oxford, CT
(203) 888-2490
Make the move to Oxford
Get the local answer, straight from Susan.
Whether you are buying, selling, or relocating to Oxford, start with a free conversation. Susan brings 25-plus years of experience and a lifetime in this town to every call, with no pressure and no obligation.