[Alexus]

Paul Newman has always been one of my favorite actors, yet he never embraced all the Hollywood glitter and pretense. Living on the west coast, I never hear about him, except the occasional story about his racing or his products such as "Newman's Own." I've always been intrigued why he settled on CT? Can any of you long-time CT residents shed some light on the reasons he chose CT over other places such as CA? He of course could've lived anywhere. I'm thinking that over the years, he has expressed in various forms locally.

Reason I ask, is because I am grappling with my own reasons for being in CA, and comtemplating a move. My daughter may be attending Yale, and the idea of moving has crossed our minds more than a few times.

Thanks for your insights.

[sliver203]

Roman -

Many of the actors, actresses, authors, etc. reside in Connecticut for many reasons. Among those being that folks in Connecticut are reserved and conservative spenders. Being flashy here is considered tacky and resembles poor taste. Some of the richest residents drive that 1990 Volvo or meticulously maintained 1989 Mercedes. I've found that Connecticut appeals to the more fiscally conservative and down-to-earth individuals - Rosie O'Donnell, Diane Sawyer, Regis, Newman, Letterman, Mel Gibson, Mia Farrow, Meg Ryan, Judge Judy and many more. There are very few "Paris Hilton's" around, and nobody feels they have to flaunt their wealth. Basically, Connecticut isn't a 'flashy' place to live. It's a nice place to call home with an excellent quality of life - some say people here are snotty - I call it reservation.

The state is rather rustic, leafy and private. While CT is the 3rd most densely populated state, towns have strict ordinances that limit those 'cookie-cutter' neighborhoods so well-known in other areas of the nation. The suburbs here, for the most part, lack the big-box stores and chains - instead embracing privately owned shops and a few upscale chains. Don't get me wrong; there are suburbs with big boxes (Milford, Orange, Danbury, Manchester to name a few) but the average Connecticut town opposes the Walmarts and Targets.

As for cost of living - it's expensive here when compared to most states, but coming from California, the only area you will find pricey will be southern Fairfield County - the closest suburbs to NYC. Other areas of the state are pretty affordable. Among my favorite communities in Connecticut are Guilford and Washington Depot, Guilford being a well-kept shore town and Washington being an artsy town in the Litchfield Hills.

Since your daughter is going to Yale and you're considering leaving CA, consider Connecticut. We have a large amount of Cali transplants - the homes on both sides of mine have families from Irvine and San Diego. They love it here, but say the pace of life is a bit quicker and folks are a lot more reserved.

Also, you will be close to NYC (just hop on the train) and Boston isn't a far drive either. You have 7 states where you can comfortably go on a day trip to.

Good luck in deciding.

[skytrekker]

Roman; sliver203

has made many excellent points. Over here in rural eastern Connecticut, Harrison Ford and GF have a mini estate/farm in Pomfret, and John Travolta and wife have had a home in Windham county for many years.

Also in western CT, Kevin Bacon, Susan St. James and Meryl Streep.

Connecticut's western and eastern hills offer a classic New England setting, with small towns, much culture, wineries, bed & breakfasts, farms, and a non materialistic understated lifestyle. Here one does not have to go out of their home to the market looking like they are On their way to their next 'film engagement', or to meet high rolling tech tycoons at the 'Top of the Mark'. Glitzy, over the top consumerism is frowned upon here- 'Less is more' might be appropriate.

Mr. Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward have been active in Connecticut politics and local programs that help people for decades, and love Westport.

As sliver pointed out, the number of California transplants is growing in CT- and they settle everywhere, Many have been at CD- and we here have given helpful information and made the transition for them here easier- housing here is priced much less then your current location of Los Altos and all of the SF Bay area; but adding the many incredible cultural assets close by, A beautiful shoreline, and beaches, close to New York and Boston and a very high quality of life, this is Price wise, for what you get - a steal, and a secret that is slowly being discovered by Californians.

[BigHouse9]

I think Limerock may have had something to do with it as well. Newman was big into racing.

[jumper]

The Westport Playhouse was a big attraction. Newman and his wife produced, directed and performed there for many years. Similarly in Ridgefield, the local "famous"
support the Playhouse.

[Alexus]

Originally Posted by sliver203

Roman -

Many of the actors, actresses, authors, etc. reside in Connecticut for many reasons. Among those being that folks in Connecticut are reserved and conservative spenders. Being flashy here is considered tacky and resembles poor taste. Some of the richest residents drive that 1990 Volvo or meticulously maintained 1989 Mercedes. I've found that Connecticut appeals to the more fiscally conservative and down-to-earth individuals - Rosie O'Donnell, Diane Sawyer, Regis, Newman, Letterman, Mel Gibson, Mia Farrow, Meg Ryan, Judge Judy and many more. There are very few "Paris Hilton's" around, and nobody feels they have to flaunt their wealth. Basically, Connecticut isn't a 'flashy' place to live. It's a nice place to call home with an excellent quality of life - some say people here are snotty - I call it reservation.

The state is rather rustic, leafy and private. While CT is the 3rd most densely populated state, towns have strict ordinances that limit those 'cookie-cutter' neighborhoods so well-known in other areas of the nation. The suburbs here, for the most part, lack the big-box stores and chains - instead embracing privately owned shops and a few upscale chains. Don't get me wrong; there are suburbs with big boxes (Milford, Orange, Danbury, Manchester to name a few) but the average Connecticut town opposes the Walmarts and Targets.

As for cost of living - it's expensive here when compared to most states, but coming from California, the only area you will find pricey will be southern Fairfield County - the closest suburbs to NYC. Other areas of the state are pretty affordable. Among my favorite communities in Connecticut are Guilford and Washington Depot, Guilford being a well-kept shore town and Washington being an artsy town in the Litchfield Hills.

Since your daughter is going to Yale and you're considering leaving CA, consider Connecticut. We have a large amount of Cali transplants - the homes on both sides of mine have families from Irvine and San Diego. They love it here, but say the pace of life is a bit quicker and folks are a lot more reserved.

Also, you will be close to NYC (just hop on the train) and Boston isn't a far drive either. You have 7 states where you can comfortably go on a day trip to.

Good luck in deciding.

Thanks for sharing your information. I really appreciate it. Sounds like a place of "quiet quality", which is what we're looking for. I didn't realize so many celebrities lived in the state, but the traits you mention in the people in Connecticut certainly fit us. I will be an attorney and I'm not sure what my wife would do yet. She is a software engineer here with a defense contractor.

I'll look into Guilford and Washington Depot too. What would you say are the negatives? Any areas, towns to avoid?

Thanks.

[john_starks]

CT has always been considered the fancy suburbs of NYC. it has more room than Westchester Co & L.I., so that where many stars flock to build massive homes, ranches, estates. it still competes w/ celebs that flock to northern New Jersey.

[ontheroad]

sliver203 and others have contributed good points.

Connecticut is one of my favourite states. I had a summer/winter house in Fairfield County for about 20 years, and miss it to this day. No pretensions in CT is one of several reasons I loved it in addition to the huge contrast between it and NYC (where I worked).

As for Paul Newman, I think he is a low-key guy, and CT, and horses suit him and his family. I had the rare privilege of meeting him at a museum opening and he blended in better than the art work.

[JayCT]

For years Westport has been an artist colony where many New York artists lived year-round or seasonally. This includes performance artists like Broadway, movie and television actors. Even Ricky and Lucy (in the old I Love Lucy show) moved there when they left New York City. The Westport Playhouse was built as a summer theater and helped draw even more people to the area. Westport is a beautiful town so it is not unusual that Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward would settle there. They bought a home there long before they became superstars and believe it or not, Westport was once considered affordable. Their house is surprisingly modest but has been upgraded over the years. Jay

[davfar]

Some negatives that you folks might consider would be the weather. Coming from CA, you guys might not like the winters here, but I don't know maybe you don't mind the cold and snow. Today's ice storm is the begining of this winter I guess...I feel like it started kind of early!
Areas to avoid based on what you said about the "quiet quality" you're looking for would be the larger towns like Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, Bridgeport, etc.