[LERuth49]

We currently have a great house in the south but are considering a move somewhere a bout 70 miles away from our daughters. Taking into consideration transportation, safety, value, medical care, reasonable shopping access, no flood issues, good place to grow old -- any thoughts? I would prefer to pay no higher than $300,000. I have been thinking CT but am not set on that. Thanks for your thoughts!

[LRPct]

Does "Bklyn" mean Brooklyn N.Y.?

[Mistermobile]

Woodstock NY

[LERuth49]

Yes they are in Brooklyn NY. I really I would like somewhere were we could drive in or take public transp in a reasonable amount of time. I would consider CT. NY, or maybe NJ though their transp sounds a bit more challenging.

[LERuth49]

Also -- are cell connections good in these smaller towns?

[willow wind]

If you mean Brooklyn, NY then consider this. Under seventy miles puts you smack into Fairfield County, CT one of the most expensive regions of the country. You won't find a $ 300,000 house. Maybe a small condo. At just about 70 miles or so, would put you into the edges of Fairfield County, around the towns of Danbury or Stratford, CT. You might be able to find a small, older house for that amount of money.

Also keep in mind that property taxes will be astronomical compared to what you are paying now, winter heating costs much more than you are used to and you would still have to contend with A/C in the summer.

Traffic, driving to Brooklyn, will be through some of the most congested roads in the country. You could take the train,but would have to take a train to Grand Central Station in Manhattan, then subway out to Brooklyn. A long train ride for people getting older.

People don't come to this part of CT to retire- it's just too expensive . You might want to look on Long Island where far closer than 70 miles can get you a house in your price range or even far western NJ or extreme eastern PA.

Good luck in your search

[LERuth49]

I know it would be a challenge but this distance is hard to deal with. Actually we have driven to NYC several times and the traffic is crazy. I was looking at Danbury -- any better?

[willow wind]

Any better in what regard? Traffic is still heavy, drive to Brooklyn is very long for elderly people. Taxes are still high compared to the South, heating costs are high, etc. The only thing cheaper is that you might be able to get a small house in your price range.

Danbury does have decent enough shopping ( there's a mall ) and there is a hospital in town. But it's also a good sized town. This is not some small sleepy, bucolic, little backwater town. It's developed and busy

Oh, and yes, there is cell phone service throughout the region from a variety of carriers.

[LERuth49]

I never said I was looking for a backwater town...

[willow wind]

You asked about cell phone connections !!! Only in the true boondocks would there be rotten or no cell service. And that's actually no where in CT.