[nchrist1]

Hi all. I just took a job in Fairfield and am looking for apartments within about a half-hour commuting distance. I want to find an area that has a decent downtown/nightlife and is relatively safe.

I was told Milford is nice but can't find many apartments. I see alot of 1BR apartments in West Haven and New haven that seem to have reasonable rents in my price range $750-$850, but I don't know much about any of these areas. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[mels]

I have lived in all three so I will help you as best I can. Milford is more of a single family house place but does have some apartments. It will be the priciest of the three, though New Haven does have some expensive apartments but cheaper ones too to balance it out. Milford has a nice nightlife, esp. in downtown Milford around the town green with plenty of bars and restaurants in close proximity. New Haven and West Haven have apartment complexes as well as three family homes that serve as apartments. Both WH and NH have some dicey areas you should avoid. WH isn't great over on the eastern side of Campbell Ave around Elm Street going towards New Haven. The closer you can get to Orange/Milford town line in WH, the better. New Haven's best neighborhoods will be East Rock, Westville (except around Valley St., and Goffe St if you stray too far from SCSU), Downtown, and State Street. Stay away from Newhallville, Fair Haven, and a good chunk of the Hill neighborhood.