[Henry10]

Originally Posted by nep321

So today I took a trip out to the central CT shoreline towns to check them out and grab lunch, etc. I really liked them! They are just very very nice towns with beautiful homes (that I probably can't afford) and nice natural scenery. However, the traffic was atrocious. Even on U.S. 1 through Clinton, there were cars literally stopped and backed up for like 1/2 mile at a time. Unbelievable. Major turn off. Not only that, I-95 was a disaster with stop and go traffic all the way to there. Also, I-95 was terrible in West Haven / New Haven. Ugh. And also terrible today in FFC, going both directions. I think that highway should be blown up with a nuclear bomb. It's the worst in the country. I'm honestly surprised that property values are not affected by the atrocious I-95-CT traffic.

So, to answer the question brought forth in the title of this thread, the answer would be a resounding...........NO!

These are the last weekends of the summer, and weekend warriors were out with a vengeance. I-95 was a parking lot in Old Lyme / Waterford too.

Add 2 outlets in Clinton and Westbrook. Plus Hammonasset

Clinton had also an event at the town hall on Sunday, which is on Route 1.

Plus tax-free shopping. Clinton has a few stores too on Rote 1. You paid a day's to visit the area and draw conclusions for year round?

[pulpfiction]

Why not North Haven or Wallingford?

10-15 minutes to downtown New Haven, without the peak-season headaches that come with living in those beach towns. I-91 flows nicely. Reasonable cost of living.

The beach towns are over run with NY'ers, and it can take you 20+ minutes just to get to the highway during peak season. Lot sizes tend to be tiny, as well. Living inland is the way to go. Besides, the 'beaches' here are pathetic--essentially a few feet of sand and water that's board-flat.

[NewJeffCT]

Yes, this weekend was like the perfect storm for traffic - sales tax exemption week and two outlet malls in Clinton and Westbrook - plus, the end of the summer rush to get in one last beach weekend and some beautiful sunny weather.

[Henry10]

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

Why not North Haven or Wallingford?

OP has a job opportunity in Clinton / Westbrook. Your suggestions offer nothing that closer towns don't, especially both at 35-45 minutes away without traffic.

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

The beach towns are over run with NY'ers, and it can take you 20+ minutes just to get to the highway during peak season. Lot sizes tend to be tiny, as well. Living inland is the way to go.

Beach towns are overrun during the summer with vacationers, not only NYers. Plus add college kids that return home. We've met plenty of non-NYers.

Beach towns have larger lots too, sometimes multiple acres further away from Route I-95. Beach towns are not as bad for snowfall.

To be honest, I would rather worry more for the winter problems. Is the driveway long? Is it steep? Who will plow it?

If you have an 300-foot uphill driveway, you will probably spend $$$ in the winter to plow, or hours if you DIY.

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

Living inland is the way to go.

If Nep was to work in Clinton / Westbrook, inland towns of Killingworth, Haddam, Ivorytown, Chester, Deep River are also great alternatives, and probably 15-20 minutes easy drive on rural roads.

[pulpfiction]

I'm not seeing the 'beach weather'. Have we even had one 80+ degree day within the last 6 weeks?

I've been wanting to take a day trip up to New Hampshire to get to a REAL beach...but these days of 70-75 degrees do not qualify as beach weather in my book. That kind of weather does not make me want to get in the water. A beach day is at least 85 degrees, unless you're just there to lounge around.

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

Yes, this weekend was like the perfect storm for traffic - sales tax exemption week and two outlet malls in Clinton and Westbrook - plus, the end of the summer rush to get in one last beach weekend and some beautiful sunny weather.

[Stylo]

I love how one bad weekend for traffic turns nep off from an entire area. Even though less than 1% of days would be like this weekend.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by Computergeek

It seems lower/working class, but homes sell for 250-300K less than Fairfield (Zillow).

Getting back to the thread, Nep where do you want to move? You seem like you don't want to be anywhere . How about you look out of the Country (UK, Spain).

If you think 95 traffic is bad, try driving the LIE or Northern Parkway for a week, you would kill yourself (LIE is probably the worst on the US). Or try the stretch that was rated the worst if you can take 2-3 days, I-95 from Washington DC to the Bruckner Interchange in NYC, rated worst in 2010.

You must not know me well enough.

I have already lived in NYC, and while it was exciting as a 22-23 year old, I wish to never, ever live in a concrete jungle like that EVER again. Too many people. Too much traffic. Not enough nature. Not enough quiet. I prefer metro areas that are less than 2 million, in general.

Atlanta, I've been to several times on business, and it just doesn't appeal to me. Why would I want to live in a sprawlopolis of over 5 million people and HORRIBLE traffic and right wing state politics?

Charlotte, I tried living in last year, and while it was okay, I didn't see myself wanting to stay there. I just couldn't deal with the southern accents, and the whole area was generally uninspired and generic. Not a bad place, but I just don't like southern culture.

Boston, of course, is way too populated, congested, expensive and stressful to live in.

As you can see, I don't like crowds, congestion, high COL and fast paced places.

[Stylo]

Clinton area traffic is NOTHING. I think you just find something wrong with everywhere. Very negative.

Sincerely,
One of the posters that told you that you'd hate Norwalk

[Stylo]

Please return to the topic of the thread, which is not income or home sales in Trumbull.

[Henry10]

3 things:

1- I looked it up. Clinton had a Art Exhibition at the Town Hall (on Route 1) on Sunday 2-5 pm. Many people park across the street, and walk across Route 1. This slows traffic. Before and after you have the vendors who come and go in-and-out.

Route 1 definitely has more traffic in the summer; it is a vacation spot nonetheless. Move north of I-95 and there is no difference in traffic between summer and other months.

2- Starter Homes in Clinton / Westbrook are $180k, +/- 10%. Madison's are over $300k. Clinton / Westbrook is definitely value, especially if you're not concerned about school ratings.

3- For entertainment, shows, concerts, shoreline towns are equally distanced from New Haven and the Casinos. I know people from the town who use Casino for entertainment venues, and not gambling.

This may not appealing to OP, but it draws other people who may be appealing to OP.