[joe143]

Hey everyone. Currently I work in wethersfield and my gf works in Hartford. I need to be close to work and we are getting an apt in middletown near 91. My gf has been in touch with recruiters in the westport area and is considering taking a job in the area.The pay increase is substantial, around 15k. I wanted to ask folks more familiar with the commute as to how bad it would really be. I know she can take 91 to the Merritt but I imagine once she hits bridgeport the traffic will be bad. If things work out we could probably move a little closer, maybe wallingford.

The only hold up I have is we will probably have to get a dog walker as now she stops home at lunch to let the dog out. I suppose getting a dog walker wouldn't be a big deal though. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated!

[kidyankee764]

That's a tough commute and it will not be traffic free. You should look to live in the New Haven area.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

$15K isn't nearly enough to endure that commute.

[CTbrooktrout]

That is not a commute she'll withstand over the long run. I did Glastonbury to Stamford for 3 months and it was hell at times. Days of 2+ hrs for the ride home were frequent. I had to move much closer to work, Norwalk. Right now with the current summer traffic, it's starting to take up to 35-40 min just to get from Stamford to Norwalk. Traffic would be heaviest from Westport to Bridgeport on 95 and Westport to Milford Connector area on the Merritt. Like kidyankee suggested, New Haven, Hamden, or Milford areas would be a fair trade off. You can zoom up 91. There's no zooming on 95 or the Merritt.

[Stylo]

Actually, from a traffic perspective, it's not that bad of a commute. Traffic doesn't usually start until Fairfield on the Merritt. Sometimes in Trumbull on really bad days. But there are backroads that parallel the Merritt you can take when traffic is bad. They'll bring you right into Westport. At most, it'll be a 10 minute delay unless it's a rare, REALLY bad day and it backs up before the Trumbull mall.

That said, it's a long commute. You're looking at over an hour without traffic.

I'd look into Milford, Orange and Shelton for a Wethersfield/Westport split. Wallingford is still pretty far for Westport and won't save you a ton of time over Middletown.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by CTbrooktrout

Traffic would be heaviest from Westport to Bridgeport on 95 and Westport to Milford Connector area on the Merritt.

I don't know the last time you did the commute, but I've been doing it for 2.5 years and I NEVER see traffic in Stratford up to the Milford Connector on the Merritt. Very, very rare. Both morning and afternoon.

I take the Merritt every morning and, if there's traffic, it usually starts around exit 46, or after 45 in the "no exit zone". On worse days, it backs up to 47. On the very worst days, it backs up to 48. It would take an accident in Stratford for it to back up any further.

I take 95 home, and it usually moves - albeit slowly in parts. It's usually 30-40MPH throughout Fairfield, with the occasional stop and go. Then it speeds up right before you hit Bridgeport and slows back down to ~30MPH around the 25/8 exit in Bridgeport for a mile or so. After that, it's smooth sailing.

I'm not condoning that commute, because it's crazy long - but getting into Westport by car from the north is pretty easy.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I'd look into Milford, Orange and Shelton for a Wethersfield/Westport split. Wallingford is still pretty far for Westport and won't save you a ton of time over Middletown.

I can see Milford and Orange, but Shelton is a bit out of the way for that commute.

[JayCT]

I have to agree with the others that the change in commute is not worth $15,000. She will destroy her car with the added mileage and eat up any real increase in income in the added commuting expenses particularly if gas prices rise again. Also most of her commute will be fine but often traffic slows from Fairfield into Westport which will add time to her commute. Then again if this job is part of a long term plan to improve her career (meaning taking a job in Fairfield County for a few years leads to better employment opportunities) thne it might be worth it but that is a BIG if. Jay

[joe143]

Thanks for the replies everyone. At this point I'm thinking it's not really worth it. After factoring in gas and car expenses the extra income would be diminished. Thanks for the input everyone.

[kidyankee764]

It could be worth it if you move a little closer to the halfway point.