[sofosogood]

Hi there,
I've been reading this great board but haven't yet found a list of towns for my specific situation, though I imagine it's pretty common!

My husband and I are looking to move out of Brooklyn. We have an 8 month old daughter.

We want a nice 3 bedroom house, about 1500sq ft, 0.25 acres, 2 baths that won't require *too* much work.

We both work currently near Grand Central and we would like our commute to be no more than one hour door-to-door.

Our budget is 400-450K.

We like cute, walkable towns with restaurants/bookstores, good schools, scenic beauty a quick drive away. My husband also loves the water.

I'm willing to drive to a train station as long as the total commute would be less than 1 hour. AND there are permits available at the train station. Otherwise, I'd like to walk to the train.

One last thing - we may want to rent for a year or so first.

Any ideas?

Thanks so much!!

[glxyman21]

Stamford or Norwalk will offer you the most affordable options for the money within an hours train ride to NYC. Of the two, Stamford would be the better area.

[JayCT]

sofosogood - You are asking for an aweful lot for just $400 - $450k. The only thing you are not asking for is a good school system. I have to agree with glxyman21 that Stamford may be your best options in that price and travel time range. Your door-to-door trip from Norwalk would most likely be over an hour since the train ride alone is about that. Good luck, Jay

[jdhall1]

Greater Danbury and Candlewood Lake would get you the most bang for your buck, but it is about a 80 minute trip by train.

[sofosogood]

Ok so let's say 500K. what is the amount you have to spend to get within an hour to grand central? stamford is 45 mins express right? so are there not any towns just past it where we could be within walking distance to the train?

the problem with stamford is that it's just moving to another city. we kind of want a change from that.

is the train very crowded from stamford on, in the morning? can you get a seat? that is very important to me. i'd rather have a 65 min commute where i have a seat and can read then a 35 min one that is crowded and stressed.

oh and i should have said good schools too! (i know, i'm demanding)

[glxyman21]

moving away from Stamford can be very expensive. to the west is Greenwich and then your in New York already. to the east is Darien, New Caanan, Westport and Wilton..very pricey with median home prices of around $1,000,000...Stamford/Norwalk are cheaper because they're not as desireable. The 45 minute express from Stamfrod I believe always stops in Greenwich...which is where the most people get on.

Stamford/Norwalk schools are not the best, especially in the upper grades and crime is above surrounding towns, of which this is reflected in home prices. proximity to NYC keeps the prices higher though. 500K would get you a modest cape or ranch, less house for the price in the surrounding suburbs.

[brattpowered]

It's true that Stamford is a city, but its made up of several neighborhoods that are like their own small towns. Springdale and Glenbrook have homes on small lots with their own yards, and the "downtowns" of these neighborhoods are walkable and feel like they are their own independent places. Both Springdale and Glenbrook have their own train stations in the middle of their "villages." Check them out.

[yankeegall]

Your commute from Fairfield would be a bit longer, but you could find a nice home in that price range near the new train station, now under construction. There are some other options in town that are in walking distance to the center of town and the train station.
The people who just purchased my home are putting their home on the market this week for 550k, great neighborhood with a beautiful yard.

Good luck!

[westender]

Does it have to be Connecticut ? Poughkeepsie NY has some rather reasonable homes (crappy schools, but that was not one of your criteria). Also, if Penn Station is an acceptable destination, you can make it from Croton-on-Hudson in an hour via Amtrak.

[Linda K]

If you are still looking, I have a great place for you! It is in West Haven, Connecticut, where you can find a really decent home right along the water and 10 minutes to either the New Haven train station or Milford train station. It would take a little more than 1 hour by train, but the area is well worth it price wise and with all of the cultural attractions and great things to do and see for a young family. If you want to rent before buying a home, you can check out Wintergreen of Westville for beautiful spacious apartments. They are all brand new and close to everything you are asking for. You can go on their website, WintergreenofWestville.com, and check out their floor plans and prices. Let me know if you want any more information.

Linda