[jbenton]

I am planning a move to Naugatuck from Derby for myself and my family (husband, 17 month old daughter, baby on the way). We are looking seriously at Naugatuck because it is close to our family and house prices can't be beat.

Can anyone give me some feedback on Naugatuck in general (for family living, schools, safety...) and which neighborhoods to pursue or avoid? I am not originally from CT so not very familiar with various cities in the area.

Thank you

J-

[JayCT]

I can tell you that Naugatuck schools perform below the State averages on the Connecticut Mastery Tests and has class sizes that appear to be reasonable in the lower grades (around 20 students per class) but a little higher in the upper grades. This is why the prices there are lower than other communities in the area. If education is a top priority, then you might want to consider another town. JMHO Jay

[KristinS]

I currently live in Naugatuck and both of my kids have gone to school in Naugatuck. My eldest started out in public and finished in Catholic and I just started my 2nd grader in Catholic even though my area public elementary is better. I think certain areas are much better than others. Most of the elementary schools are nice, Hillside Middle School is great, Naugatuck High School is not so good. The town has excellent youth sport programs and in general for the money not such a bad place.
I am moving to North Carolina, so I will not be here much longer. Any more info please let me know I will try and help the best I can.

[glxyman21]

I think it would be a fair statement to say Naugatuck is a lot like Derby/Ansonia demographically, schools, and economics.

[KristinS]

I think Naugatuck is a small step up personally.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by KristinS

I think Naugatuck is a small step up personally.

Agreed. I doesn't have that "lost in nowhere" feeling like the other small valley cities. Perhaps because it's attached to a larger city like Wtby.

[jbenton]

Thank you all for your feedback. We will probably send our kids to private school, so that is not a big issue. Can anyone direct me to some nice neighborhoods in Naugatuck?

Thanks!

[KristinS]

Maple Hill and the area and some areas in the West side of town are nice, behind Hillside Middle School. It is also nice on the Middlebury town line. I live behind the Middle School.

[jreich210]

Naugatuck isn't a bad town to raise a family, but the schools aren't perfect. Test scores are lower, but Derby's are lower. I'd suggest a step up such as Seymour or Beacon Falls, if you can afford it.

Also I dont view Ansonia as having that "middle of nowhere" feeling. It is 10-15 minutes from New Haven, 15 minutes from Bridgeport and 5-10 minutes from the corporate haven in Shelton. Trumbull and Milford malls are also minutes away.

I'd consider Ansonia and Derby very centrally located - more so than even Naugatuck.

Bethany, Woodbridge, Oxford and Middlebury are nearby alternatives with much better schools but also a lot more expensive.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by jreich210

Naugatuck isn't a bad town to raise a family, but the schools aren't perfect. Test scores are lower, but Derby's are lower. I'd suggest a step up such as Seymour or Beacon Falls, if you can afford it.

Also I dont view Ansonia as having that "middle of nowhere" feeling. It is 10-15 minutes from New Haven, 15 minutes from Bridgeport and 5-10 minutes from the corporate haven in Shelton. Trumbull and Milford malls are also minutes away.

I'd consider Ansonia and Derby very centrally located - more so than even Naugatuck.

Bethany, Woodbridge, Oxford and Middlebury are nearby alternatives with much better schools but also a lot more expensive.

Well, I think you just said it in your post. Ansonia doesn't have it's own identity, you have to drive to somewhere else for everything. That was my point. Naugy at least has it's own identity and it's own "stuff" and also borders a larger city. It's part of a small metro, not in the middle of several.