Putnam, CT

13 Apartments for Rent

Putnam, Connecticut: New England's Last Green Valley

Putnam is a New England town in the state of Connecticut. It is part of Windham County and covers 20.4 square miles, running along the Quinebaug River. Incorporated in 1955, Putnam is replete with history, beginning with General Israel Putnam for whom the town was named. It was an industrial mill town with a railway that transported textiles in the US. Fueled by a strong community spirit that overcame the worst natural disasters, Putnam was able to transform into a flourishing suburban town, incorporating new developments around its rich share of lush nature.

Moving to Putnam

First thing you need to know: Putnam has had its share of hurricanes. While the hurricanes went down in history as the worst natural disasters to hit Connecticut, they occurred in 1955! Still, if you are moving to Putnam, be sure to learn the proper protocol for handling any natural disasters that may -- or may not -- occur.

Second, get used to the Putnam climate. The town shares Connecticut's humid continental climate, where summer can be really hot and winter extremely cold. The hottest days are between July and August, while March and April are windy. Snowfall can be really heavy in January and February. Carefully plan your move-in date around the days that are most convenient for you.

If nothing is so unusual, then familiarize yourself with Putnam rental costs and lifestyle.

Overall, Putnam has more affordable housing market values and rental property rates compared to other cities and towns in Connecticut, such as New Haven or Stamford. Credit this to the growing phase that the town is undergoing, as well as the suburban lifestyle that's not as pricey as the highly cosmopolitan living of other Connecticut city hubs.

If everything is up your alley, then it's time to make your Putnam move. Rental property managers will ask for proofs of your income: your Form 1040 or individual income tax returns and your latest pay stubs. Supplement these with receipts of your other incomes if applicable. The ideal income-rent ratio is 100:10 or 100:15. You can increase your chances of a good tenant application evaluation by submitting a good credit history, a fully paid contract for a previous rental property and a convincing reference letter from a person of authority.

Putnam Neighborhoods

For those looking for rental property in Putnam, the good news is that the town has a good vacancy for vacation homes, long-term housing and apartments for rent.

Cargill Hills: Cargill Hills is the best place to start looking for apartments for rent in Putnam. This is a master plan urban community designed for mixed-use, with residential apartments alongside offices, retail rows and restaurants. The neighborhood utilizes green energy through a mill reuse development, where water from the old cotton mill in Cargill Falls is harnessed for electricity.

The Lofts at Cargill Hills: This is an apartment development offering residential high-rise apartments. It is accessible via Route 44 West and Route 395 on downtown Kennedy Drive. Amenities include parking, office and retail areas and health and recreation facilities. Residents get a daily view of the Putnam Cargill Falls with the old bridge on Pomfret Street overlooking the Quinebaug River.

Putnam Heights: Also known as East Putnam, this used to be the site of the old Killingly Hills. Today, it covers East Putnam Road, Providence Pike, Killingly Avenue and a portion of Pomfret Street. Rental properties here are more of the large family home types with three to five bedrooms, rather than apartment homes or condos for rent. Residents here have convenient access to the Putnam Supermarket and the Day Kimball Hospital, both on Providence. A slice of nature also graces the neighborhood with the Five Mile River, a tributary of the Quinebaug River running on East Putnam.

Living in Putnam

Putnam is accessible to and from the New England region via Connecticut Route 12, Connecticut Route 21 and Connecticut Route 171. Major routes pass through the town, such as the north-to-south Interstate 395 and the east-to-west U.S. Route 44. Those flying to Putnam are conveniently serviced by the Toutant Airport right in Windham County. Other airports include the Worcester Regional Airport in Massachusetts (28 miles away) and the Theodore Francis Green Memorial State Airport (37 miles away).

Downtown Putnam

This area is an eclectic gateway that opens the town to the outside world, with businesses coming together in support of a major promotion project dubbed Discover Putnam, which is aimed at making the town a prime tourist destination in Connecticut and nearby states. Visitor events include the annual Fire and Ice Festival in February, featuring romantic carriage rides and ice sculptures, and The Great Pumpkin Festival in October, where pumpkin harvests take over Main Street, complete with a town crier, scarecrow decor, bazaar booths and al fresco dining.

While many interesting stores line downtown, antique shopping remains the most popular crowd-drawer for Putnam. The Antiques Marketplace on 109 Main Street is known all over the US for its myriad of antiques, memorabilia, vintage toys and jewelry. Art and history are two of the foundations from which Putnam rebuilt itself, combining forces to create a thriving modern town. Packed art galleries and historic trails line up the downtown area all the way to the Quinebaug River.

The Empty Spaces Project on 114 Main Street is a town collaboration project that mounts monthly unique arts attractions, from standard framed collections to street artists and live art demonstrations.

Nearby is Artique, a popular paint bar where amateur painters can hone their talents with a glass of chilled wine on the side.

The Green Miles

The Last Green Valley tag is reflected in the town's development adjusting to and highlighting nature's gifts. Accessible from any of Kennedy Drive's four parking lots is the 1.32-mile Putnam River that runs from Arch Street to the eastern shore of Quinebaug River. Around this refreshing spot, the town built the River Mills Heritage Trail, a 2-mile paved trail passing through old mills, woodlands and along Putnam's shopping district on Main Street. The trail incorporates five exhibits commemorating Putnam's founders, the railroad, the mills, the rich natural resources and the great floods of 1955.

The John F. Simonzi Sr. Memorial Park, or simply Simonzi Park, is adjacent to the river trail, with various picnic areas and a slightly used boat launch for leisurely sightseeing.