Migrating to CT, USA from London, UK (Stamford, Danbury: for rent, low crime)

jazzc01 · 04-08-2012, 09:25 AM

Hi All,

Really need advice please:

This is my first post::::

I work for a US Company and am based in London, UK. I have pencilled in a move to work in the US office in Greenwich, CT and will apply for the L1 visa. My job is manager/specialist function. I will bring my wife and 2 children aged 9, 5 over. What I need to know is the best places to live which are not too far from Greenwich (which is quite expensive) - so am considering 30-40 mins max drive away from Greenwich. I would like to rent first so will rent for 1 year before we decide on a good location to purchase a home. Also, which are the best schools, not sure on prices... so private education for them is also considered.

Any advice on above, plus anything else..especially building a credit history is very welcome. Thanks !
JC

mlassoff · 04-08-2012, 09:47 AM

What is your price range? As others will undoubtedly note, this is one of the most expensive regions in the nation. Your price range more or less dictates where you can live. There are many communities with excellent schools 30-40 minutes from Greenwich, however, I would need to know what you could spend and a bit more about the type of community you're looking for before making a recommendation.

Stylo · 04-08-2012, 10:47 AM

I'm afraid everything is going to be expensive within 30-40 minutes of Greenwich, especially if you want good schools. I'm assuming you cannot commute by train?

The best "value" for renting will be had in Stamford, Wilton, Ridgefield. It won't be THAT much cheaper than Greenwich though, just to temper your expectations. You could even go into NY, like South Salem and Katonah, but the taxes will be very high if you decide to buy there.

You will not need private education in most towns.

Konig1985 · 04-08-2012, 01:33 PM

budget budget budget???!!!

JayCT · 04-08-2012, 07:48 PM

The Greenwich/Stamford area is one of the most expensive parts of this country. Modest homes in towns with good schools can be very pricey. Without a price range it is hard to say where you should look. Then again coming from an expensive city like London it may not be that bad to you.

Greenwich itself is a very nice town with excellent schools and a wide range of housing options though they will be priced higher than other towns. A lot will depend on what you expect for your money. Many people are willing to pay extra for a town with good schools since they will not have to pay extra to send their kids to private schools which are very expensive here.

Stamford is next to Greenwich and would be less expensive but it is a small city and the schools there are not considered to be that great. You would probably have to send your children to private schools if you lived there.

Next to Stamford is Darien and New Canaan which like Greenwich are wonderful towns with excellent schools but are very expensive. These would be about as far as you could go to keep your commute under 40 minutes because traffic in the area is very heavy. You may have to live further than 40 minutes to see any significant reduction in the price of a rental. A price range would help us tell you if you need to go further. Jay

Stylo · 04-08-2012, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayCT

Next to Stamford is Darien and New Canaan which like Greenwich are wonderful towns with excellent schools but are very expensive. These would be about as far as you could go to keep your commute under 40 minutes because traffic in the area is very heavy. You may have to live further than 40 minutes to see any significant reduction in the price of a rental. A price range would help us tell you if you need to go further. Jay

You could definitely do back roads from parts of Wilton in 40 minutes.

jazzc01 · 04-15-2012, 03:08 PM

Thanks all for your responses. I guess I could reach $2000 per month rent. We would like to rent for the first year just to get our bearings of CT. My office is in greenwich, so was thinking of renting in an area less than 40 mins or so?

Stylo · 04-15-2012, 11:07 PM

Is the office near the train? Maybe look into Fairfield, Trumbull, Stratford or Milford and take the train. For $2k, it'll be more doable to get a solid 3BR house further east of Greenwich. You won't need the added expense of private schools.

jazzc01 · 04-17-2012, 08:26 AM

i was thinking of Ridgefield, New Fairfield, Danbury. How do these areas fit for good housin, schools, low crime rates?

Stylo · 04-17-2012, 08:32 AM

New Fairfield or Danbury would be a pretty rough commute. Well over an hour.

The southern part of Ridgefield would be a long commute, but a bit more doable if you do backroads. Still long.

Ridgefield is rather expensive. You'll be pushing your budget there. Danbury and New Fairfield are a bit less expensive. New Fairfield has the better schools out of the 2, but is a very long commute to Greenwich.

You did not mention if the office is near a train station, which opens up a lot of options.