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Thanks everyone. Re: why note Westport - will look into, but were drawn to Wilton by the large lots and rural aspects. But will take a look at Westport, too. On first look it does seem that larger lots are there, although smaller in number - but also that the property taxes are lower? I assumed the opposite.
Thanks all!
Westport has a pretty low mill rate so the taxes are relatively low for the value of properties. North Westport and north Fairfield both have larger lots, although you'll be a little further away from the train station. I guess it depends on your vision of large. Greenfield Hill in Fairfield offers large lots and is close to the train station, which is only a few minutes longer than Westport and you're almost guaranteed a seat. Your money will go much further there. I don't know if you can afford it, but New Canaan might be a good option too if you're looking for a good commute and larger lots. It's more expensive than Wilton, but only a bit more expensive than Westport (arguable in some respects).
Why would you have to choose if you had Katonah as an option?
If you live in Westport, you have a short drive to the train station and can apply for a parking permit in the future. Same thing in Fairfield, which soon will have 3 train stations to choose from.
If you live in Wilton, you have an up to 25 minute drive to New Canaan, depending on where you live in Wilton.
Wilton doesn't make sense at all to me for an NYC commuter. That, and I'm not all that impressed with the town and its lack of a good town center.
My house is 13mins drive to New Canaan Station. If its in South Wilton its 14mins drive to SONO. If its around Westport Rd its 14 mins to Westport Station. If you live at Western Ridgefield its 20mins drive to Katonah (17mins if you live right on Ridgefield, Lewisboro border)
Ok, its not a great advantage for someone going to GCT and its town center cant hold a candle to Ridgefield. I agree with you here.
Your perspective is a bit skewed--- I am on the extreme northern fringe of Wilton and I can be at SONO in 19 minutes and on the train platform in 20 (even daily parkers can pay on the way out). I previously lived in North Stamford and although only 6 miles from the downtown station, I could not get to the station in less than 20 minutes any day of the week.
Also, why are you always spewing that Wilton does not have a downtown? Are you at all familiar with the town? The town center is not on the main drag (Route 7), but rather off on River Road. Very pedestrian friendly (unlike Darien and Greenwich to some extent) and complete with a farmer's market, Stop & Shop, Gap, Starbucks, toy store, several restaurants, clothing designers, post office, banks, dry cleaners etc. It may not be quite on par with New Canaan or Ridgefield but being off Route 7 has its benefits. For example no snarling traffic a la Ridgefield or horrific weekend parking a la New Canaan.
Wilton has a lot going for it. Home prices are relatively reasonable and SAT scores remain the highest in the state. Lots are bigger, and crime is significantly lower than Westport or Fairfield. Wiltonites also tend to be less pretentious than our shoreline counterparts.
I'm not sure where you live, but Google Maps is saying 22 minutes for north Wilton to the SoNo train station, and I know firsthand it can get slow once you're in that vicinity. If you can make it in 20 minutes to the platform, more power to you.
I don't dislike Wilton, but I also don't consider what it has to be a downtown. It's a tightly confined area of mixed retail, mostly "strip shopping" style. It's not bad, it's just not the same as a true walkable downtown like Westport, New Canaan, Greenwich, etc. I prefer that, but everyone's different. Some people prefer truly rural towns with little to no shopping or retail. Also, downtown Ridgefield isn't on 7 either and the traffic isn't bad through the town center. It's got 10x more charm than Wilton's IMO. That doesn't mean it's a better town overall.
As far as crime being "significantly lower" than Fairfield or Westport, that's just plain misleading. All 3 towns have extremely low crime rates way below the national average. I guarantee that any small difference in crime rates in Fairfield or Westport compared to Wilton has to do with the increased amount of industrial and commercial/retail in those areas that draws in non-locals. In any given neighborhood in any of the 3 towns, the chance of crime is very low.
I'm not sure where you live, but Google Maps is saying 22 minutes for north Wilton to the SoNo train station, and I know firsthand it can get slow once you're in that vicinity. If you can make it in 20 minutes to the platform, more power to you.
I don't dislike Wilton, but I also don't consider what it has to be a downtown. It's a tightly confined area of mixed retail, mostly "strip shopping" style. It's not bad, it's just not the same as a true walkable downtown like Westport, New Canaan, Greenwich, etc. I prefer that, but everyone's different. Some people prefer truly rural towns with little to no shopping or retail. Also, downtown Ridgefield isn't on 7 either and the traffic isn't bad through the town center. It's got 10x more charm than Wilton's IMO. That doesn't mean it's a better town overall.
As far as crime being "significantly lower" than Fairfield or Westport, that's just plain misleading. All 3 towns have extremely low crime rates way below the national average. I guarantee that any small difference in crime rates in Fairfield or Westport compared to Wilton has to do with the increased amount of industrial and commercial/retail in those areas that draws in non-locals. In any given neighborhood in any of the 3 towns, the chance of crime is very low.
Can't disagree with you. When we were buying we ended up in Wilton instead of Ridgefield because Wilton still has some good advantage over Ridgefield when commuting to Stamford and it is also closer to Merritt + I95. If commute to GCT is our only concern we'd still have chosen Fairfield due to its good access to major highway. While Ridgefield has a good downtown, geographically it is just too isolated for me.
commuting to Stamford and it is also closer to Merritt + I95. If commute to GCT is our only concern we'd still have chosen Fairfield due to its good access to major highway. While Ridgefield has a good downtown, geographically it is just too isolated for me.
Makes perfect sense.
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