[citycat]

Hi,
Me, my husband and our 2 kids (1 & 3) are planning to go to Fairfield this Sunday to get a feel for the town and see about moving there. I am slowly on my way....to being a soccer Mom. We are looking for a family neighborhood that is walkable to places. My husband commutes to NYC so the train is important. We can spend up to about 650K but would prefer less.

Can anyone suggest neighborhoods we should look at and maybe a kid friendly restaurant we can go to for lunch?

Also any other MUSTS you would suggest we see to get a feel for the area would be so great.

Thank you so much,
Katie

[JayCT]

Katie - Farifield Center is generally the area of the Post Road (Route 1) between Mill Plain road and Beach Road/Round Hill Road with the core centering on Unquowa Road and Reff Road. There are many shops and restaurants in this area and there is the old Community Theater which is now locally run and the library. The Old Town Hall and Old Post Road area between South Benson Road and Oldfield Road is the historic center of town. In this area there are many beautiful old homes and buildings. You could head down South Benson Road to check out Jennings Beach or Beach Road to check out Penfield Beach. Also check out the Malibu style homes and beach cottages along Fairfield Beach Road.

You could alos head up North Benson Road and check out Fairfield University. Further up Route 136 is Black rock Turnpike which is another shopping area along Route 58. This is mostly small strip centers but you will find just about anything you will need in a 1 mile stretch of road which is great. Wish we had that here. You might also consider driving up Mill Plain Road to see the homes and neghborhoods along it. They will give you an idea of what some neighborhoods are like.

Another nice area to see is Southport which is to the west. It is a stunningly beautiful village with many charming old homes and building around a small harbor. The streets in this area are Main Street, Harbor Road and Pequot avenue. Homes here are insanely expensive so don't count on finding anything there in you price range, but it is nice to look.

If you have time too take a ride up to Greenfield Hill and check out the green area at Bronson Road and Academy Road. Very charming somewhat rural area. Jay

[scwmonroe]

If you dont mind being a little further out, Monroe in eastern fairfield cnty is a nice rural community, plenty of fine 4 bedroom homes on an acre or more for 600 plus/minus, great schools, taxes marginally more reasonable then most of ffld cnty, and bridgeport, ffld westport train 15 -20min drive. if you like the more rural Monroe is great!

[wan2hav]

The Black Rock Turnpike also has quite a lot to do and see---it may be a little too busy for you...but this area has EXCELLENT schools...parks.....and about all you'd want to or need to purchase. The road itself is very busy----again--that may be a turn-off---but on either side of the road and continuing back for several miles.....are great homes in the range that your looking for...and also Mohegan Lake a fresh water swimming location--with hiking trails.....and the near the Merrit Parkway is another private lake...don't know if you can afford that area Swamp Mortar...but its free to look.