[Konig1985]

Originally Posted by JayCT

This is only on certain trains. Most trains require a switch to another train in Stamford which can be a pain. Jay

During peak working hours, most New Canaan trains are direct to GCT. Only on weekends do all trains require transfer at Stamford.

Departs
NEW CANAAN Notes Arrives
GRAND CENTRAL Notes Travel Time
In Minutes Transfer(s) Peak Fares Apply? 5:31 AM
6:40 AM
69 THROUGH TRAIN PEAK 6:21 AM
7:23 AM
62 THROUGH TRAIN PEAK 7:09 AM
8:16 AM
67 THROUGH TRAIN PEAK 7:33 AM
8:39 AM
66 THROUGH TRAIN PEAK 8:03 AM
9:09 AM
66 THROUGH TRAIN PEAK 8:49 AM
10:11 AM
82 THROUGH TRAIN OFF PEAK

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Konig1985

During peak working hours, most New Canaan trains are direct to GCT. Only on weekends do all trains require transfer at Stamford.

Departs
NEW CANAAN Notes Arrives
GRAND CENTRAL Notes Travel Time
In Minutes Transfer(s) Peak Fares Apply? 5:31 AM
6:40 AM
69 THROUGH TRAIN PEAK 6:21 AM
7:23 AM
62 THROUGH TRAIN PEAK 7:09 AM
8:16 AM
67 THROUGH TRAIN PEAK 7:33 AM
8:39 AM
66 THROUGH TRAIN PEAK 8:03 AM
9:09 AM
66 THROUGH TRAIN PEAK 8:49 AM
10:11 AM
82 THROUGH TRAIN OFF PEAK

Thanks for checking that. It looks like about half are through trains. Still that is plenty of trains to get you directly into the city. The OP should be pleased. Jay

[prc2007]

Thanks for looking into the train schedule from New Canaan. I'm getting such great information from all of you. Thank you! We'll probably start visiting some towns in the Spring but I'll continue to map out the county.

[lan3]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Do you even know Fairfield? The town has a wide range of housing options that few upscale suburban towns offer. Jay

Yes, i have a family here. I know it's a big school district. Where she lives has no diversity but other areas might. From my visits, it doesn't seem very diverse but I am certainly not an expert.

[renovating]

Originally Posted by lan3

From my visits, it doesn't seem very diverse but I am certainly not an expert.

Fairfield County not diverse? Are you serious? There is a lot more to diversity than black and white and anyone that gives a hoot about diversity should know that.

Fairfield County is rich in people celebrating their vast ethnicities and religions and the students get a great education of many different people.

[Konig1985]

In my opinion the best bang for the buck town for the op is either West or South Wilton.

We all know that real estate is about location and New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich are already priced in by the market. There is no way a middle income family can find a "super deal" in those towns because you are competing with generations of old $ swimming around.

That leaves us with Westport, Wilton, Weston. Westport has the clear advantage among them due to its location on the main metro north line and coast. There are also other attributes such as being "artsy" that helps Westport stand out.

For an ordinary family though, I find Westport to be overpriced based on its location alone. If you live in S.Wilton you can get to South Norwalk Station in 14mins (you can always get parking spaces and more trains to choose). If you live in West Wilton you can get to New Canaan Station in 13mins (wear your blindfold and ear plugs and sleep all the way to NYC. Some parking spaces at $5 for full day). In most parts of Westport you can get to Westport Station in 8-10mins but good luck with parking and finding a seat on the train. Search "Westport vs Wilton" in the forum. Geographically Wilton is actually closer to NYC than Westport. Other factors that has kept Westport home prices high: 1) wetlands that limit the supply of dry desirable land 2) lots of old money floating around 3) too many people desire it because "its on the coast and metro north mainline" even though it may not be entirely necessary for their purpose.

I find Weston to be too rural and felt their large acre lots may not be too suitable for a small middle income class family who wants a neighborly street. People who live there don't seem to commute to work.

I feel Ridgefield is a bit off in terms of location despite its awesome, walkable town center. One can probably take a 20mins bus to Katonah station for GCT but it is hard for me to get over the fact that Ridgefield is further North than New Canaan and Wilton.

Never been to Fairfield but I'd avoid the coast because of the flood insurance premium. For some unknown reason it seems that my real estate agent does not find Fairfield as desirable as Wilton.

These are just some of my thoughts that went through my head when my family was looking for vacation property in FFC. Wilton real estate has a good balance between value and appreciation potential from an investment perspective but homeowners should have other considerations. Wilton and Westport also "feels" more liberal than New Canaan and Darien.

P.S will not touch East Wilton because Danbury Road is a XXXXX to drive during peak hours.

[JayCT]

Westport is desirable for many reasons. It is located on the coast so residents have easy access to beaches that the inland towns don't. Some inland towns have agreements with coastal towns to allow their residents access to beaches. I am not sure if Wilton is one of them though. I could not find any mention of this option on the towns website.

Another reason Westport is so desirable is that it has a lot of great shopping, restaurants and entertainment. The Westport country Playhouse is world renowned. The schools in Westport also are very high performing so people are a bit more comfortable buying there.

As for Fairfield, it is considered a little less desirable than Wilton because it is further from New York and it is a lot more diverse. Fairfield has a wide selection of housing option from modest apartments to grand estates. Wilton does not offer that big of a range. Still both are great towns. Jay

[Konig1985]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Westport is desirable for many reasons. It is located on the coast so residents have easy access to beaches that the inland towns don't. Some inland towns have agreements with coastal towns to allow their residents access to beaches. I am not sure if Wilton is one of them though. I could not find any mention of this option on the towns website.

Another reason Westport is so desirable is that it has a lot of great shopping, restaurants and entertainment. The Westport country Playhouse is world renowned. The schools in Westport also are very high performing so people are a bit more comfortable buying there.

As for Fairfield, it is considered a little less desirable than Wilton because it is further from New York and it is a lot more diverse. Fairfield has a wide selection of housing option from modest apartments to grand estates. Wilton does not offer that big of a range. Still both are great towns. Jay

Great shopping in Westport = ?

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Konig1985

Great shopping in Westport = ?

You don't think that Westport has great shopping? There are a ton of stores offering all types of things downtown and along the Post Road. I don't think anyone needs to leave town to buy most of things they need. You might want to travel to a major mall or to New York for a better selection or better price but pretty much everything anyone would need can be found in Westport. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

You don't think that Westport has great shopping? There are a ton of stores offering all types of things downtown and along the Post Road. I don't think anyone needs to leave town to buy most of things they need. You might want to travel to a major mall or to New York for a better selection or better price but pretty much everything anyone would need can be found in Westport. Jay

This pretty much sums it up. Great shopping but for some items, not at great prices. If you're looking for deals, head to Norwalk or Fairfield (10 mins away).