[LauraPetrie]

We moved into NJ last week (from Ohio )and I hate the place. My husband has to work at Penn station, NY so we were considering moving into NJ. Now, I have second thoughts about it. I have heard of people working in NY , staying in CT. Is it an easy commute ? How is CT on the whole ? Is it cheaper than NY/NJ ? How are the schools in the areas close to NY ? Are there any good enough reasons for us to consider CT over NJ ?

We are planning on renting an apt.

Any info in this regard is appreciated. Thanks .

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by simmi

We moved into NJ last week (from Ohio )and I hate the place. My husband has to work at Penn station, NY so we were considering moving into NJ. Now, I have second thoughts about it. I have heard of people working in NY , staying in CT. Is it an easy commute ? How is CT on the whole ? Is it cheaper than NY/NJ ? How are the schools in the areas close to NY ? Are there any good enough reasons for us to consider CT over NJ ?

We are planning on renting an apt.

Any info in this regard is appreciated. Thanks .

Connecticut in most objectives circles is preferred over NJ- there is a much more attractive environment. The shoreline and countryside are very attractive, as are most of the towns- which have a charming New England persona and very desired lifestyle.

If your spouse is working at Penn Station, I would think he would easily be able to catch metro north into south western CT- Fairfield county.
Northern New Jersey and most of Fairfield county will have apartment rents for about the same amount of money- especially in Stamford and Norwalk. The commute into the city by train would be from about 45 minutes to an hour each way.

I would not recommend traveling into the city from southwestern CT via auto- it is brutal.

Southwestern CT has less congestion, lower taxes and a reduced crime rate compared to northern NJ. And is far more attractive aesthetically.

[LauraPetrie]

Thanks for replying skytrekker. Can you please let me know good areas in and around southwestern CT ? I have no idea whatsoever about the place.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by simmi

Thanks for replying skytrekker. Can you please let me know good areas in and around southwestern CT ? I have no idea whatsoever about the place.

Fairfield county is the first place you will encounter as you leave NY and enter Connecticut.

The city of Greenwich is perhaps one of the most wealthiest places in the nation to live. Its a wonderful place- thats for sure- I have no idea what rents will cost you- there are realtor's on the forum here who can give you more specific information. Rents in Greenwich will likely be very expensive. Stamford, the next town up along the shoreline and I 95 corridor with a population of about 125,000 is a great city to live. Rents are more in number then Greenwich and prices more reasonable-about the same as northern NJ. Stamford has much in the way of amenities; shopping, great restaurants, entertainment and a growing city center that is very attractive. There are parks and beaches along LI Sound.

Norwalk is a bit further up from Stamford- under 10 miles further east. Norwalk also should have a wide selection of apartments available that will be less costly then Stamford- some areas of both cities have a few so so areas, so investigate thoroughly- once again others here can provide specific information.

The smaller 'gold coast' towns like Westport and Darien will have few apartment rentals that are affordable.
These links will provide geographic data/information to newcomers unfamiliar with CT
Coastal Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Connecticut - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.tourism.state.ct.us/tourism_regions/

[JayCT]

simmi - hi and welcome to the Connecticut Boards. The Connecticut suburbs of New York are among the most desireable places to live in the country. They also can be very expensive. Towns like Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport are very pricey and high-end. As someone else indicated, Stamford and Norwalk are a little more affordable but these are really small cities and can have urban area issues.

I will tell you that commuting from Connecitcut to Penn Station will not be easy or short. You must take the Metro-North Railroad into Grand Central Terminal, take the shuttle over to Times Square and then catch a subway down to Penn Station. Your husband could walk it, but the shuttle and subway are faster and you do not have to deal with inclement weather.

You do not indicate what part of New Jersey you are in. I lived in New Jersey for 5 years out of college and really liked it. I met a lot of very nice people there who I am still good firends with after moving back to CT many years ago. It really depends where you live. There are many wonderful towns. You need to give it a chance. If you move further out from the city you may like it better. I will admit though that Connecituct is a lot more like Ohio than New Jersey is but there are many many nice parts that you will like. Get out and drive aorund. Good luck, Jay

[LauraPetrie]

Thanks Jct..
That commute sounds like too much .. In Ohio, it was just a short car ride to work ..lol..
Well, it's been just 2 days since we are here in NJ, but I already dont like the feel of this place.. We are put up in a hotel right now, considering where to rent an apt. We have been looking around NJ, I was just wondering how CT is, that's why the post .. Thanks for all the info.. Sounds like CT is good (since you said it's a little more like Ohio ), but expensive and a big commute to NY.. Maybe we will be better off in NJ..

[JayCT]

summi - Some of the outer areas of New Jersey may be more to your liking. Check out Morris county. It is a very nice area with a lot of great communites. It may be a bit expensive when compared to Ohio though, but that is true of all of the New York area. New Jersey Transit has trains from this and other outer areas to Penn Station. Check their web site and then go look a towns along these lines. They can be very nice. Jay

[Viralmd]

Like JayCT, I don't think you've given NJ a fair chance. You've only been there a WEEK! I lived in NJ for a year, in Princeton, and loved it. Agree that out in Morris County you might be far happier.

I would counsel against snap decisions....did you not visit NJ before you agreed to move there?

[JayCT]

The Princeton area is beautiful too. Check it out as well. Good luck, Jay

[Viralmd]

Just remember, Princeton is not terribly convenient for a NYC commute, unless you take the bus at the stop and ride at Exit 8A of the NJ Turnpike. There ARE trains from the Princeton Junction train station, but the waiting list for parking there is about 8 years long. Not kidding about that - 8 years.