[kristin1]

We just learned that we will be relocating to CT from Bergen County NJ. We presently live in a very family-oriented community - great schools, town pools, lots of parks, and would like to find something similar in CT. It is really hard to find this info online!

My husband's job will be in Essex. I would like to keep his commute under 30 minutes if possible. We don't know anyone in the area, and the day trips we will take there to look around will be difficult, as we will have our 3yo and 20 mo with us.

I've heard such conflicting things about this area. I've had people tell me that it's considered the "sticks" of CT, and others tell me there are some great small New England towns there. Can anyone help me sort this out? I'd like to get as much info on the area as possible before we move. Thanks!

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by kristin1

We just learned that we will be relocating to CT from Bergen County NJ. We presently live in a very family-oriented community - great schools, town pools, lots of parks, and would like to find something similar in CT. It is really hard to find this info online!

My husband's job will be in Essex. I would like to keep his commute under 30 minutes if possible. We don't know anyone in the area, and the day trips we will take there to look around will be difficult, as we will have our 3yo and 20 mo with us.

I've heard such conflicting things about this area. I've had people tell me that it's considered the "sticks" of CT, and others tell me there are some great small New England towns there. Can anyone help me sort this out? I'd like to get as much info on the area as possible before we move. Thanks!

Hi Kristin1,

Both opinions are right. Essex is sort of a crossroads of Connecticut. You have tourist attractions (the Connecticut River and the Essex Steam Train), weekend beach traffic to the shoreline, antique shoppes, New Yorkers and their "second" homes, and native Nutmeggers.

http://www.cerc.com/middlesex.html

South of Essex will be Clinton, Westbrook, and Old Saybrook. This area is more developed since I-95 cuts through these towns.

North will be Chester and Deep River - both of which are very rural and New England in feel.

Depending on your price point and still staying within a 30-minute commute, you could also consider Madison in New Haven County.

http://www.cerc.com/newhaven.html

East will be the Lymes in New London County: Lyme, Old Lyme, and East Lyme.

http://www.cerc.com/newlondon.html


This is just a starting point. Could you describe your current town(ship)?

[JViello]

I myself would hardly call Essex "the sticks". That term generally means backwater, middle of nowhere hicks. Essex is FAR from that. Essex was voted the best small town in America, Chester is the neighbor and will have a bit of a boutique feel to it's downtown, Deep River, Old Lyme, East Haddam area etc may have a country feel but it's not the sticks. Old Lyme has an story book New England center a there's a LOT of money and culture in the lower CT river valley.

Just to the South of Essex (maybe 15 minute drive) you have the Clinton and Westbrook outlet malls which are pretty large and have just about all your shopping needs covered.

The areas are not typical metro "suburban" but CT is unique in that regard as you can be in the countryside and not far from everything. It's a New England trait that people either love or hate.

With that out of the way, what kind of budget do you have as that will determine a lot.

Also what kind of commute time is too much as that can play a roll in suggestions for you.

I think we are all more than happy to help but we need a starting point.

Edit: Here are some links to Essex and Chester so you can get an idea if these are "New England" town enough for you.

Essex, Connecticut, The Best Small Town in America

Welcome to Essex, Connecticut

Welcome to the Essex Online.

Welcome to Chester, CT.

Connecticut River Valley Tourism - CT River Valley & Connecticut Shoreline Region Travel Tourism Visitor Information Guide

The Official Site of Town of Old Lyme, CT

Just a few to give you some idea of the towns.

[kristin1]

Thanks so much for your replies!

I guess we are trying to figure out what we want right now. The town we live in, Ridgewood, NJ, is a big suburban town with tons of resources for families, good schools, etc. The flip side of that, it that there is a bit of the "keeping up with the Jones" element to the town that we are trying to get away from. After living with the rat race for the last 5 years, there is something very appealing about moving to a small New England town.

But I do have two toddlers, so I'd like to move to a community where there are some parks and decent schools. We are not averse to using private/paraochial schools, but I think good schools is fairly indicative of how family-friendly a community is.

Jviello - Thanks for all the links! We would like to keep the commute time under 30 minutes. My husband previously commuted about and hour and 20 minutes each way into NYC, so he is looking for a break from that. I was a little taken aback by "the sticks" comment too, since I couldn't imagine any place in CT being backwater. But then again I heard it from one of my neighbors (the Jones). As far as budget, we'd like to keep it close to 600, but would be willing to go a little higher for the right home.

I have to say, after living in Bergen County, I have been floored by how much land each home has! Alot of homes we have seen online have 2-3 acres! I cannot even imagine what to do with such space!

Rich Lee - Thanks, too for the links! What are "native nutmeggers"? Thanks for suggesting Madison! I've seen a lot in our price range in that area, and it helps that it's close to New Haven, since I'm in healthcare and would like to find something part-time if I can find child care. I hoped I've been more descriptive about my current town. I guess I want a family friendly town without the snobbery associated with new money. Any thoughts on living so close to the coastline? Are these usable beaches?

Thanks again!

[skytrekker]

Essex is one of the most desirable small towns to live in the the entire USA.

'Sticks' it is not- very sophisticated in fact, along with nearby Chester. The southern Connecticut river valley is very beautiful.

Rich Lee and JVeillo provide great information.

[JayCT]

The lower Connecticut River Valley (where Essex is located) is one of the most beautiful parts of Connecticut. It is considered to be somewhat of a tourist destination because it is so charming. While not desolate, compared to Ridgewood it is fairly rural (that is why you see so many large lots). There is a small town center and some smaller convenience stores but for major shopping, you will have to travel. There are no malls or big shopping areas like Paramus in that section of the State. You would have to drive to Waterford which is about a half hour away.

This area has a lot of great tourist attractions like the Goodspeed Opera House, the Essex Steam Train and Gillette's Castle. There are also a lot of nice restaurants and shops to cater to the tourists that visit the area.

To get a more developed area, stay along the shore. Old Saybrook is a very nice small town with good schools and a lot to do. It is a vacation area with a lot of summer cottages and rentals and summer traffic to go with it. Old Saybrook has most of the areas major shopping with a major supermarket and a Walmart.

The closest town to Ridgewood (which is a great town by the way) in that area would be Madison which is an upscale suburb of New Haven. It is about 20 miles from Essex but it shouldn't take more than 25 minutes to get there since there would be little traffic to deal with. Madison has a very nice town center with a lot of nice shops. The schools are considered excellent and there are a lot of family activities, parks and beaches. It too is a bit more rural than Ridgewood but it is still very nice. Good luck, Jay

[JViello]

kristin1, with your provided info I too am on board for Madison.

Clinton is also a very nice - next town over - to raise a family and will save a few dollars over Madison without really sacrificing anything. My family has a beach house in Clinton so I'm always down that way in the various towns. Clinton has also become a very good place to invest in property.

Believe it or not I find Old Lyme has a bit of old money snobbery vs the new money "Jones" you are dealing with now. I personally don't like the attitudes of Old Lyme, but it is a very pretty town to visit. Just wanted to provide that info as well.

I don't see that attitude in Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford or Branford.

Here are the shopping centers in Clinton and Westbrook...both very popular.

Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets

Tanger Outlets Centers

You also have all the great small shops lining RT1 along the coast...everything from salons to fresh fish markets, wine shops...you name it - and yes large suburban type grocery stores, not "quick marts" oh and good restaurants too.

So dont' think you are that far out in the "sticks".
New Haven to the West and the Mystic area to the East provide lots of day trips and family fun and whatnot.

Best of luck to you, feel free to post any more questions you might have.

[kristin1]

Thanks so much for all your responses. This forum has been sooooo helpful in narrowing down places to look.

I am leaning toward Madison since there seems to be alot of homes on the market in our price range and I like the proximity to New Haven and the fact it's close to the beach. My husband really wants to live in Essex or Old Saybrook, since he would love a really short commute. He also loves the "small town" atmosphere that seems to be there - and the fact that Essex was rated the best town to live.

Can anyone give me an idea on how much the summer crowd influences life there? I certainly don't mind a little traffic coming from Bergen County, but just wondering how it affects the town?

Jay CT and Jviello- thanks for the great info! I will sooooo not miss the the mega malls of Paramus and the corresponding traffic. Again, Madison sounds great to me!

We are trying to load the kids off on the grandparents so we can spend a weekend looking at the end of the month.

Thanks again, and keep the info coming!

[ExitFive]

Hi ~

I am a former Madison resident - raised my family there and recently moved back my home state - New Jersey! If your main concern is moving away from keeping up with the Jones family - Madison would not be a good choice. Old Saybrook is a very nice alternative - or even Westbrook (but its really small!). Good luck!

[JViello]

Originally Posted by ExitFive

Hi ~

I am a former Madison resident - raised my family there and recently moved back my home state - New Jersey! If your main concern is moving away from keeping up with the Jones family - Madison would not be a good choice. Old Saybrook is a very nice alternative - or even Westbrook (but its really small!). Good luck!

Perhaps you were hanging out with too many of the Jerseyite escapees in Madison.