[famlife]

I'm doing a little soul searching and trying to pinpoint a good place to settle. I've had itchy feet in the past, but I really am trying to find my place lol. If you want to avoid my mini panic attack, the to-the-point questions are:

What might attract a 30-some couple with all ages of kids to Connecticut, and what are the least pricy safe areas of Connecticut.
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I'm looking for somewhere with a reasonable climate (not snow 9 months of the year like WI, or parched, dry, scorching, relentless sun like in AZ. We've done both.) within a couple hours of the Atlantic coast. We work on the internet, so can basically live anywhere without worrying about work. We also homeschool, so the schools aren't a real consideration for us either. Any info on the least pricy areas that are reasonably safe would be helpful.

Also, I'm just curious what you feel might attract a 30-something aged couple with toddlers through teens to Connecticut

. We can find good points about living rural or urban, and have done both. If we find a dream situation and love the area, we could be happy with either. We're outdoorsy people, so scenic beauty is a bonus. We like to bike. It'd be nice to be able to take advantage of the Ocean, so we'd like to be somewhat close to the Atlantic. I think Connecticut is reasonably close, no matter where you're at in it lol

Anyway, thanks... Any info is appreciated. We have so many options, but a limited budget. Having too many options is paralytic so I'm really still scouting, even though my goal is to be somewhere before the school year starts because I need to register them for homeschooling somewhere. Georgia is really cheap and pretty so we are considering there, maybe a little warmer than we'd like, but doable. Tennessee is nice too, but we'd prefer to be nearer to the ocean. I've lived in both, and while very nice, I really enjoy the mid Atlantic climate the best. Maine, while beautiful and affordable, I'll bet the climate isn't much better than in WI.

Sorry for rambling. I'm just free falling right now. It's not so pleasant!

Thanks for any ideas. We are camping for the summer while we run out our lease and figure this out, so it's either find a place before September, or be stuck another year somewhere that we really don't want to be.

[Raider111]

Pretty much the whole state except for the southwestern corner, that's the really really pricey part.

[FortressPrince101]

I lived in CT for 30 years, moved to Colorado, then back to CT. I do not know where you are coming from, but even the cheapest part of CT (which I presume to be the eastern sections) are expensive when you compare on a national level. Most of the state is suburban with pockets of rural scattered about. The Litchfield Hills is my favorite area. Roxbury, Washington, Kent and Bridgewater are gorgeous, but far from employment centers.

A few good things about CT: Well educated and progressive population, good public schools, beautiful little towns, four seasons, very close to world class cities.

Negatives: Traffic and cost of living.

I hate to say it but your budget really matters here. If you're looking for a 2500 square foot colonial in the 150-250 range, then you might have a difficult time searching for housing desirable areas in CT.

[famlife]

Thanks for the replies. We are hoping for a 1500+sqft ancient fixer for around 100k, or an owner finance for under $180k
Not to be had in CT?

[Raider111]

That budget will be nearly impossible in the previously mentioned Litchfield-Fairfield counties in the west. Perhaps the eastern portion of the state away from the coast. Others more familiar will have to chime in here.

[Stylo]

A friend of mine bought a fixer-upper like that in West Haven. So-so schools though. It's possible. I'd stick to areas east of New Haven/Hartford for best bang-for-buck. Less employment as you move further east though.

[FortressPrince101]

Originally Posted by famlife

Thanks for the replies. We are hoping for a 1500+sqft ancient fixer for around 100k, or an owner finance for under $180k
Not to be had in CT?

Yeesh, I don't know. You might be able to find a house for under 180 in one of CT's working class towns. Naugatuck, Torrington, Meriden, or Windham and Norwich out east. Those are not particularly attractive communities but they do have safe areas.

If I were you, I would look elsewhere. Delaware, Virginia, or the Carolina's will offer a LOT more in your price range. You can probably find something in CT but you will have to look hard.

[mels]

The OP can live anywhere with an internet connection and home schools, so the school district isn't of concern. Because of those two factors, I would say your budget is doable but you'd have to look hard. I'd focus on eastern CT.

As for what might attract a family to CT?

Recreational opportunities: miles of hiking trails, bike trails, hills, beaches

Four seasons, none of which are too brutal or too long (though some may disagree after the winter we had this past year!)

Family friendly: you’ll find most towns have plenty of opportunities to hang out with other families even if you home school. Most towns seem to have plenty of events for free or minimal charge within town. This ranges from free concerts on a town green to the town’s Parks & Recreation department offering classes to the town library’s children’s programs.

Schools: You home school but the majority of towns have a pretty solid public school system

In general, CT residents are open minded. Most people here believe your religion, politics, etc. is your business, not theirs, so you won’t find yourself discussing either touchy subject with people you barely know (having lived in a “What church do you go to?” environment, this pleases me).

[wolf39us]

I also second the notion that at your budget... move on.

I'm from the Valley of Connecticut (Naugatuck, New Haven, Shelton, Seymour). Good luck with those numbers.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by wolf39us

I also second the notion that at your budget... move on.

I'm from the Valley of Connecticut (Naugatuck, New Haven, Shelton, Seymour). Good luck with those numbers.

FYI New Haven is not in the "Valley" area.