[raygabs]

I know this has been a popular question but I'll ask again.My family might be moving back to the NE. We currently live in Suwanee, GA which is a great town and we love it here. My husband and daughter suffer from allergies and asthma and it is BAD here. So the allergist said being near the water or desert is our best bet.Their allergies were not bad at all when we lived in NY(LI near the water) but I don't think we want to go back due the fact that we like our children and money and would like to see them sometimes. I know CT is expensive too but maybe not as expensive? Can someone recommend a town maybe not right on the water but about 10 to 20 min. away? Great schools are important as are tree lined streets and sidewalks...maybe an area with some older homes too.Safe and maybe not too expensive. Looking in the 300k -400k range with maybe taxes not being more than 4 or 5k a year. Any help is soo appreciated and I'm sorry if I a re-visiting a very popular thread..but you could spend all day visiting these very addictive forums.LOL

[skytrekker]

Raygabs

Allergies in Connecticut can be a problem as well- but as you have suggested living near the water will reduces some of the allergens.

The best place I can recommend that is cost wise the least expensive in CT, would be east of New Haven all the way to the Rhode Island border. Towns like Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Old Saybrook, Lyme, Waterford, Stonington will have quick access to long Island and Block Island Sound. These towns are all very pleasant, and have good schools and local services.

Housing prices will vary in each town, with Madison being the highest. Coastal CT will indeed be considerably less expensive then Long Island. Good luck!

[raygabs]

Thanks so much for your response!

[JayCT]

raygabs - I agree with skytrekker. the suburbs east of New haven are very nice and you could probably find a home in your price range there. Good luck, Jay

[somwhathip]

Skytrekker is on the right track, in my opinion. I particularly like Old Saybrook, which is on the CT river and LI Sound. It doesnt have the snooty feel that Madison or Essex have and the prices are a lot more reasonable too. Here is a review of OS you might find useful. Best Old Saybrook active adult retirement communities

Deep River is nice too - their motto is "Scruffy but proud". It has a homey feel to it. Chester is great, very artsy and good restaurants. Because they are near Rt 9 it is easy to get just about anywhere.

Good luck.

[raygabs]

Thank you for that info. - was wondering how the schools are in chester? Do you know? I am really looking for something in a village area. Sidewalks and activities..good schools . Is that something that Chester and Old Saybrook have? Thanks again.

[JayCT]

Chester schools perform well above the State average on the Connecticut Mastery Tests and the class sizes are fairly small (well under 20 students per class). Old Saybrook schools are also above the state average and have reasonable class sizes (under 20 students). You might also want to consider Essex, which is another well thought of town in that area that has a small walkable village setting. Jay

[somwhathip]

Two of my friends have children in the elementary schools in chester and they are very pleased. The schools are consolidated with other towns in that area, particularly at the high school level and the facilities are impressive. Chester has side walks and an extremely charming ambiance. Old Saybrook is bigger but also has some great neighborhoods close to the water. It also has a great downtown - vital. Check them both out, and good luck.

[raygabs]

Thanks everyone...I'll be making a trip up there real soon and am going to visit these towns you've suggested. These forums take so much of the guesswork out of moving to a new state and I really appreciate it!