[kimberline18]

Originally Posted by andthentherewere3

That's not really true. The further west you go, the closer you are to NYC, and real estate soars. You could go a bit further north, maybe to Newtown, Brookfield or Cheshire, but it would dramatically increase the commute time, and home prices really don't go down there, it's probably even more expensive than the towns already discussed. You might look further east though, such as Branford. But again, you would be increasing the commute time.

Oops! I meant east!

[renovating]

Originally Posted by AMSS

- but trying to convince her son to apply to UCONN was a bear because it was looked down upon by him and most of his class.

Thats very surprising but not indicative of the school he attends...more indicative of the individual.

UCONN is nearly as competitive as an Ivy League...and this year they had a record number of applicants. Southern FFC high schools were well represented in that pool. Don't be surprised to see a few valedictorians from these high schools attending UCONN next fall.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by renovating

UCONN is nearly as competitive as an Ivy League

Sorry, but this statement isn't even close to accurate.

[Barton123]

Just moved from CT to NC, and yes there is a price difference in housing! We were in Newtown and I would encourage you to take a look there on the Monroe side of town if your husband will work in Shelton. Many people on the Monroe side work in Shelton and take back roads. The area around High Rock Road (leading into Monroe) on the Newtown side is part of town called Sandy Hook. Mostly 2 acre zoning. Newtown is geographically large (which is why I suggest a particular side of town as the other side will add 25 minutes to the ride time) with population at around 25,000-30,000. Newtown High just had a major expansion project and there is a 5/6 school that is relatively new as well. Local paper is called the Newtown Bee and the town is classic New England.
Best wishes on the move.

[Barton123]

Also meant to mention that Oxford has recently built a new high school. You may want to look at the programs offered for children in each town, the set up is different in each one. Private activities are pricey to say the least and some towns offer surprisingly little. I know that Newtown has parks/rec & Newtown Youth Academy (athletics,fitness), the labor day parade is huge, the Christmas Tree lighting in Rams Pasture, and the halloween walk on Main Street, Relay for Life is a huge event as well. Property taxes are a bit higher than some surrounding towns though. You may have well water and will have to pay for garbage pickup in many areas. The cost of living is considerably higher in CT than it is in NC.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Barton123

Just moved from CT to NC, and yes there is a price difference in housing! We were in Newtown and I would encourage you to take a look there on the Monroe side of town if your husband will work in Shelton. Many people on the Monroe side work in Shelton and take back roads. The area around High Rock Road (leading into Monroe) on the Newtown side is part of town called Sandy Hook. Mostly 2 acre zoning. Newtown is geographically large (which is why I suggest a particular side of town as the other side will add 25 minutes to the ride time) with population at around 25,000-30,000. Newtown High just had a major expansion project and there is a 5/6 school that is relatively new as well. Local paper is called the Newtown Bee and the town is classic New England.
Best wishes on the move.

Excellent suggestion. Sandy Hook is a great, and somewhat "forgotten" place.

[MetsNY]

People in lower FFC don't look to attend UConn because public schools are looked down upon.

It's a great school.

Monroe and Newtown are great choices. They are competitive, but not competitive like Darien or New Canaan. You can go to public university, drive a Ford or a Honda and wear basic clothes.

Unlike Darien or New Canaan where you need the private education, the Range Rover and the newest Ralph Lauren.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by MetsNY

People in lower FFC don't look to attend UConn because public schools are looked down upon.

It's a great school.

Monroe and Newtown are great choices. They are competitive, but not competitive like Darien or New Canaan. You can go to public university, drive a Ford or a Honda and wear basic clothes.

Unlike Darien or New Canaan where you need the private education, the Range Rover and the newest Ralph Lauren.

The most popular choice of college from Westport's Staples High School when I graduated in 1992: UCONN.

The most popular choice of college from Westport's Staples High School class of 2010: UCONN.

It's a great school and that's recognized in Fairfield County and outside of it. Granted they don't attend UCONN in the numbers they do from other parts of the state-- however-- you will find that there are more legacies, and frankly money for private school in Fairfield County. No one looks down on UCONN. I think that's a pretty unfair assumption.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

The most popular choice of college from Westport's Staples High School when I graduated in 1992: UCONN.

The most popular choice of college from Westport's Staples High School class of 2010: UCONN.

It's a great school and that's recognized in Fairfield County and outside of it. Granted they don't attend UCONN in the numbers they do from other parts of the state-- however-- you will find that there are more legacies, and frankly money for private school in Fairfield County. No one looks down on UCONN. I think that's a pretty unfair assumption.

That's the school and class my nephew graduated from and it wasn't a popular choice (unless it was their safety school the parents made them apply to). And no he's not a snobby kid. He was one of the few that didn't get a car when he was in high school.

[renovating]

Originally Posted by AMSS

That's the school and class my nephew graduated from and it wasn't a popular choice (unless it was their safety school the parents made them apply to).

Wrong, it was the most popular choice.....66 from the Staples class of 2010 were accepted at UCONN.