[Stephy0519]

I agree with Avalon Milford not being ideal. My best friend used to live there and HATED it (later 20s, professional, single woman). Way over priced and she said it was often noisy.

While I love Branford, the commute home over the new Q Bridge would most likely stink. I live right outside Long Warf and it takes me less than 5 minutes to get to downtown New Haven...except during rush hour. That traffic STINKS.

Stick to Hamden and Milford. Have you looked at any apartments IN New Haven? Wooster Square has a lot of nice places, as does parts of downtown, with the amenities you are seeking.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stephy0519

While I love Branford, the commute home over the new Q Bridge would most likely stink. I live right outside Long Warf and it takes me less than 5 minutes to get to downtown New Haven...except during rush hour. That traffic STINKS.

I drive over the bridge every day.

The only traffic issue would be the 34 connector in the evening going to 95 N/S and 91N, which you would hit going to Milford as well. Once you're on the bridge, it's smooth sailing. The same can't be said for 95S going by Kimberly Ave toward Orange/Milford - it's always congested. Branford is also closer by 6 miles (round trip, downtown to downtown) than Milford.

So, actually, I'd argue the commute to Branford is a little easier than the commute to Milford. Both are nice towns though, and the OP at this point can really choose an apartment over choosing a town. They're on the right track.

[Comp625]

Here's another vote for the Spinnaker Apartments. Although I've never personally rented there, I know the construction is new and the neighborhood is VERY nice. Downtown Milford is one of my favorite small city/town centers in the State of CT. It has the right balance of bustling energy, small-town quaintness, and big-town commercialism (which may be perfect for you and your partner). It's my opinion that you would be remiss not to consider downtown Milford!!

Frankly, leaving New Haven at 5pm rush hour is going to stink no matter what direction you go in (West to Milford, North to certain parts of Hamden, East to Branford/East Haven). Backroads are all clogged too. The only exception might be to North Haven if you work near an I-91 entrance ramp, since traffic volume isn't that bad going northbound. North Haven does have all of the big box retail stores, but I don't think it has the same charm as Milford or Hamden.

As a few others have mentioned, you should also look into West Haven. I have friends who've rented beach houses and it's very quiet and there are plenty of rentals near (if not right on) the Long Island sound. You have to be careful though, as there are some very seedy neighborhoods (more so towards the Route 1/Post Road near University of New Haven).

[Stylo]

Traffic happens in every city. IMO the greater New Haven area is a LOT better than most metro areas. Especially Stamford/Norwalk. Except for Friday afternoons going north, delays are usually pretty short. There's also the option of taking Metro North from Milford and, soon, West Haven - or Shoreline East from Branford.

[Comp625]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Traffic happens in every city. IMO the greater New Haven area is a LOT better than most metro areas. Especially Stamford/Norwalk. Except for Friday afternoons going north, delays are usually pretty short. There's also the option of taking Metro North from Milford and, soon, West Haven - or Shoreline East from Branford.

Completely agree with this statement. IMO, the worst, worst traffic in this state is on the 95 corridor (Greenwich - Bridgeport). Afternoon rush hour on the day before a holiday is B-R-U-T-A-L.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Comp625

Completely agree with this statement. IMO, the worst, worst traffic in this state is on the 95 corridor (Greenwich - Bridgeport). Afternoon rush hour on the day before a holiday is B-R-U-T-A-L.

It's gotta be top 10 in the US.

[berniechien]

Downtown is a great area to live, and also East Rock.

[DDurante83]

We really want a apartment/condo complex to live in so we don't have to worry about mowing lawns or shoveling snow. My wife is handicapped and can't do alot of physical labor and I will be working as a teacher. Everyone is recommending the Spinnaker Apartments but they don't allow dogs only cats so that ruled that out of our search.

I would apperciate if someone could give us more apartment complex names so I can research them! This is what we have so far to look at and based on reviews its a 50/50 chance I suppose...

A. Apartment: Aspen Glen
B. Website: http://www.aspencommunities.com/
C. Address: 1800 Aspen Glen Drive Hamden, CT
D. Distance: 15 Minutes

Apartment: Avalon Danbury
Address:2 Mountainview Terrace Danbury, CT
.Distance: 50 minutes from job

A. Apartment: Avalon Milford
B. Address: 1 Avalon Drive, Milford, CT 0646
C. Pet Fee: Non-Refundable pet fee: $600 per uni
a. Pet Rent: $50 per month per pet
Distance: 18 mins commute

A. Apartment: Grand Reserve Orange
B. Address:75 Prindle Hill Road, Orange, CT 06477
14 minutes away

[Stylo]

DO NOT live in Danbury. Totally pointless.

Why don't you contact a realtor? You're only going to get so far here.

[willow wind]

What are we missing here ? You've asked for advice- gotten good advice from various posters on where to look based upon your criteria. And yet, you're looking in Danbury ---- why ??? Danbury is not communtable to New Haven, there's no good highway access all the way there. Even the one in Orange may be lacking. It's in a mixed residential/ warehouse /light industrial area and too close to I-95 for my taste ( highway noise)

You had Town Walk in Hamden on one of your earlier lists- now it's off your most recent. Yet, it's right next to Aspen Glen , allows dogs and has a washer/ dryer in the unit. Go look at it, you're going to be right there.

Seriously, the New Haven area has tons of rentals, you don't need to be wandering all over the state to find a rental. You seem to be looking at only single level flats in what seem to be elevator buildings. Is there some reason a townhouse condo won't do ?

I don't know if you're panicking as time grows near- I assume you need to be settled by the time school starts or getting more and more confused as you look. However, you don't need to look at twenty apartments. If you do, you'll never be able to make a decision. New to the area, you'll just be spinning in circles trying to figure out where you were and what you saw. You have a few on your short list - do you really need to look at more than 3-4 ?

It seems to me that your visit here would be better spent looking at 3-4 places, driving leisurely around each area, maybe taking the drive to work from each complex, timing it, checking the traffic, looking at the shopping, etc.

Since you're just starting off here, pick from what you've got. You're not making a permanent decision.. You'll likely only sign a year's lease. In that year, learn the area, drive around on weekends. Then, if in a year's time, move if you find something better.

Good luck