[place2callhome]

I thank all of you for your responses, I have spent some more time researching and asking friends, it sounds like the sidewalk subdivisions are not as common, but everyone still finds other places to gather with the kids, which is all we really want. I spent yesterday looking into redding, it also sounds great, and the taxes are lower than ridgefield. (I think that will keep us out of that city, my husband will have a heart attack at the first tax bill) The Schools in Redding seem top notch, and house prices seem much better, any thoughts?

[sunshinecities]

Perhaps Brookfield as someone above mentioned. I do not live in New Milford but I go to a dr. there. It's an old town and I think it's very busy. I know you want to avoid traffic near the coast - but Old Saybrook despite being near the coast is a beautiful town and I think typical traffic more or less.
I have a friend that moved from Broad Brook CT (I think that was the town) to Moorseville NC 2 years ago. She loves it there. Anyways..as the others said there really are not too many planned communities around here.
I love the town of Marlborough - you may like that - not hectic - although slowly getting built up - but somewhat country and pretty.

[glxyman21]

Originally Posted by place2callhome

I thank all of you for your responses, I have spent some more time researching and asking friends, it sounds like the sidewalk subdivisions are not as common, but everyone still finds other places to gather with the kids, which is all we really want. I spent yesterday looking into redding, it also sounds great, and the taxes are lower than ridgefield. (I think that will keep us out of that city, my husband will have a heart attack at the first tax bill) The Schools in Redding seem top notch, and house prices seem much better, any thoughts?

I would think the taxes in Ridgefield would be less. Don't just go by the mill rate. Redding is kind of rural and hardly has any commercial/industrial tax base, where as Ridgefield does to offset the tax burden. You can always find out the assessed value of the house and multiply it by the town's mill rate.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by place2callhome

I thank all of you for your responses, I have spent some more time researching and asking friends, it sounds like the sidewalk subdivisions are not as common, but everyone still finds other places to gather with the kids, which is all we really want. I spent yesterday looking into redding, it also sounds great, and the taxes are lower than ridgefield. (I think that will keep us out of that city, my husband will have a heart attack at the first tax bill) The Schools in Redding seem top notch, and house prices seem much better, any thoughts?

Redding is a beautiful town, but it is fairly rural in character. The schools are considered to be excellent with Connecticut Mastery Test scores well above the state average but class sizes are a bit larger than other towns in the area (over 20 students per class). You will have to travel a bit to shop or for entertainment options. There is no real downtown to Redding but there are plans to convert the old mill in Georgetown (which is on the southwestern corner of town) into a transit-oriented village. Construction has begun but it may be a year or two before things begin to open there. Jay

[momfromct]

There is nothing in Redding! You'll always have to travel to a different town for everything. The only thing that I can think of that's there is Redding Roadhouse the restaurant.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by ctracy

I have my home for sale in Enfield CT which has an excellent school system. It is a quiet neighborhood yet conveniently located to I91 shopping, schools, airport, etc. Let me know if you would like more info

8 of your 8 posts here are to advertise your home for sale. What is your real goal here?

[place2callhome]

Well tomorrow is the big day, we're going on our first visit to narrow down a town. We will be looking at Ridgefield, Redding, and Newtown. Does anyone know of a must see that will just make us fall in love with Connecticut. Thanks for all your help, I am sure I will be checking in after my return for the "real" dirt on our final Town.

[JeffreyDurbin]

Originally Posted by place2callhome

Well tomorrow is the big day, we're going on our first visit to narrow down a town. We will be looking at Ridgefield, Redding, and Newtown. Does anyone know of a must see that will just make us fall in love with Connecticut. Thanks for all your help, I am sure I will be checking in after my return for the "real" dirt on our final Town.

New Fairfield is a better choice than Brookfield because it is on the west side of Candlewood Lake. You can drop down to I-84 or take one of the secondary roads west directly to I-684. That allows you to avoid the rush hour traffic through Danbury on I-84.

New Fairfield is right on the NY/CT border.

I like Newtown because of its historic homes but I am putting in an offer on a house in New Fairfield. If that deal doesn't happen then I may look closer at Newtown or Brookfield.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by place2callhome

Well tomorrow is the big day, we're going on our first visit to narrow down a town. We will be looking at Ridgefield, Redding, and Newtown. Does anyone know of a must see that will just make us fall in love with Connecticut. Thanks for all your help, I am sure I will be checking in after my return for the "real" dirt on our final Town.

Good lck with your trip. I am sure you will find the right town for you and your family. All three are great. Take a drive through Georgetown. It is a small factory village off Route 57 and 107 that is being redeveloped into a transit-oriented development. Sould be very nice when completed. Jay

[notjustamom]

I love Newtown, New Canaan, and Redding. For under a million you will get the best bargain for your money in Newtown. Newtown is postcard beautiful, as I said on another post it's a typical New England town. The schools are excellent, the town is rural and just gorgeous, and there is still some shopping to be had. Danbury is only about 15 minutes away, where you can shop for just about everything you need.

I also think Ridgefield is beautiful with excellent schools, but it's pricier.

Redding is really nice too, but it's VERY rural. I like rural, but not everyone does. Good luck, and please keep us updated.