[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Inctomi

Stylo,

I agree Fairfield is probably a better option commuting-wise. However, my dad will be staying with us too and he works in Ossining. It will be a hellish daily commute from lower Fairfield on 95 to 287 then on to Sprain. Danbury is also far but doable at around 40 min.

Darn, that's a tough situation. Personally I would sacrifice some home and live in Norwalk, your commute will be pretty hellish from Danbury. From Norwalk, you could take backroads to Ossining - it's only 30 miles. Check out what you can get for 450k there, it's much better now than in the past - and don't be afraid to lowball some $500k places. I'm also not sure why you think Danbury has more New England charm than Norwalk. Neither are particularly high ranking in that sense IMO, but look at areas like Cranbury and Rowayton in Norwalk and tell me they don't have as much charm as any part of Danbury. Maybe you saw the wrong part of Norwalk. There are plenty of dumpy areas in both cities.

As a last ditch resort, maybe try western New Fairfield near Route 22. You can hop right onto 684 from there directly, and take one of the more Southern trains (Katonah, perhaps) - which would make for a much quicker commute. That 84/684 interchange is really unpredictable coming from Danbury. I missed a flight once because of it. NF is affordable and a nice community.

[jp03]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Darn, that's a tough situation. Personally I would sacrifice some home and live in Norwalk, your commute will be pretty hellish from Danbury. From Norwalk, you could take backroads to Ossining - it's only 30 miles. Check out what you can get for 450k there, it's much better now than in the past - and don't be afraid to lowball some $500k places. I'm also not sure why you think Danbury has more New England charm than Norwalk. Neither are particularly high ranking in that sense IMO, but look at areas like Cranbury and Rowayton in Norwalk and tell me they don't have as much charm as any part of Danbury. Maybe you saw the wrong part of Norwalk. There are plenty of dumpy areas in both cities.

As a last ditch resort, maybe try western New Fairfield near Route 22. You can hop right onto 684 from there directly, and take one of the more Southern trains (Katonah, perhaps) - which would make for a much quicker commute. That 84/684 interchange is really unpredictable coming from Danbury. I missed a flight once because of it. NF is affordable and a nice community.

If you drive down 684 during rush hour from Brewster to Katonah expect a ton of rush our traffic. Again Stylo...any decent area of norwalk is going to be way more expensive than Danbury.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by jp03

Again Stylo...any decent area of norwalk is going to be way more expensive than Danbury.

There's no doubt. But it's almost half the commute and $450k can get a decent house in Norwalk.

Example: http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...250?source=web
http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...986?source=web

[elle423]

There's no need to drive to the southeast train station from danbury. If you find something in the Aunt Hack area, you will be a 5 minute drive to the Exit 2 park & ride. Shuttle bus from the park & ride to the BREWSTER station is 10 minutes, and the buses run CONSTANTLY. Train during peak hours range from 72 minutes to 87, with the average being just under 80 minutes. Factor in wait times @ bus and @ station and you're at a 1 hr. 40 minute commute to GCS. Not fun, but a lot of people do it.

[Inctomi]

Originally Posted by Stylo

There's no doubt. But it's almost half the commute and $450k can get a decent house in Norwalk.

Example: http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...250?source=web
http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...986?source=web

Stylo, you have a pretty good point on sacrificing some house but I kinda wanna have a big yard and a pool which you can't get for the $$$ in Norwalk.

[Stylo]

How big though? I mean, lots in Norwalk aren't that much smaller than Danbury.

Definitely consider the west end of New Fairfield. It'll make your life easier and it's a nicer place to live than Danbury.

[Inctomi]

Originally Posted by elle423

There's no need to drive to the southeast train station from danbury. If you find something in the Aunt Hack area, you will be a 5 minute drive to the Exit 2 park & ride. Shuttle bus from the park & ride to the BREWSTER station is 10 minutes, and the buses run CONSTANTLY. Train during peak hours range from 72 minutes to 87, with the average being just under 80 minutes. Factor in wait times @ bus and @ station and you're at a 1 hr. 40 minute commute to GCS. Not fun, but a lot of people do it.

This is a great suggestion.. I guess I can't have it all with the commute vs. a nice pad with pool etc etc. So does anyone takes the Danbury extension trains on the New Haven line? I looked at the schedules and the ride is apparently a solid 2 hrs and there are only 2 or 3 direct trains during rush hour. Would they ever expand that single line track?

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Inctomi

Would they ever expand that single line track?

Likely never.

[jp03]

Originally Posted by Stylo

There's no doubt. But it's almost half the commute and $450k can get a decent house in Norwalk.

Example: http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...250?source=web
http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...986?source=web

Ok..I see your point..Norwalk is certainly a good commute.

I'd prefer danbury to Norwalk though.

[jdhall1]

In that part Of Danbury homes are on about 1 acre lots.