Question about an area in Bridgeport (New Haven, Stamford: budget, work, housing)

[TonyStarkz]

Happy New Year all (although if you are like me, you are getting tired of hearing that )

My fiance and I are planning on moving to CT in April of this year just before our marriage. I have already transferred my office location and currently work in the lovely town (yet WAY out of my budget) of Darien. We had originally planned on living in Waterbury but now that the glitz and glamor of having our first home be a brand new 4br colonial is starting to wear off, I'm thinking that it would not be the smartest decision in terms of commuting for myself and even worst for her (working in Manhattan). I recently came across a nice home in what claims to be the "North-end" of Bridgeport but as I drove through the neighborhood albeit quite late at night, I wasn't too thrilled. I don't want to give the exact location of the property but it is between highway 8 and Resevoir Ave, south of Platt Ave and north of Chopsey hill Rd. Can anyone tell me any information about this area? We have a 12yr old son who will be attending school in the area but I was hoping to find a magnet school for arts as he is quite talented (what parent wouldn't think so ) Any advice would be greatly appreciated as we need to make a decision very soon as we do have a hold on a site in Waterbury.

Thanks everyone!

[JayCT]

Tony - you were right to question if that area is the North End or not. It really isn't. Some agents try to push the boundaries since there is really no set lines per say. That area does have some issues mostly relating to the large public housing project on Reservoir Avenue.

I would generally recommend staying west of Main Street and north of North Avenue (Route 1) when looking for homes in Bridgeport's North End. This is the core of the area and has many lovely streets and homes. There should be homes in your price range there and it will defintiely be an easier commute to Darien than Waterbury. Good luck, Jay

[TonyStarkz]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Tony - you were right to question if that area is the North End or not. It really isn't. Some agents try to push the boundaries since there is really no set lines per say. That area does have some issues mostly relating to the large public housing project on Reservoir Avenue.

I would generally recommend staying west of Main Street and north of North Avenue (Route 1) when looking for homes in Bridgeport's North End. This is the core of the area and has many lovely streets and homes. There should be homes in your price range there and it will defintiely be an easier commute to Darien than Waterbury. Good luck, Jay

Jay you are a life saver! I had been pushing it on my fiance from the pictures and just happened to drive past it after leaving a New Years Party. I was hoping that it only looked "shady" because I was tired but I had to be certain. Back to the hunt!

[TonyStarkz]

Jay or anyone else for that matter...are there any other areas in CT that may meet my commuter needs for my budget? From searching I've seen some areas posted but most people were looking to spend $400K and up which I'm just not ready for as yet.

[reason180]

You could try Stratford and the lower CT Valley towns like Derby, Ansonia, and Seymour.

[JayCT]

There are affordable homes in many towns in the area, you just have to be prepared to accept a smaller, older home on a smaller lot. What is your price range? Stratford has some very nice neighborhoods with affordable homes, as does Milford. Jay

[jjbradleynyc]

What about New Haven? Most of New Haven is nice, except a couple of areas--namely Valley Street. You can find some good 2 families for around $250k in New Haven. New Haven is a very well-educated, hip, young, and somewhat happening place. Thanks to Yale's influence, it is a very culturally sound and educated place.

[TonyStarkz]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Tony - you were right to question if that area is the North End or not. It really isn't. Some agents try to push the boundaries since there is really no set lines per say. That area does have some issues mostly relating to the large public housing project on Reservoir Avenue.

I would generally recommend staying west of Main Street and north of North Avenue (Route 1) when looking for homes in Bridgeport's North End. This is the core of the area and has many lovely streets and homes. There should be homes in your price range there and it will defintiely be an easier commute to Darien than Waterbury. Good luck, Jay

Originally Posted by JayCT

There are affordable homes in many towns in the area, you just have to be prepared to accept a smaller, older home on a smaller lot. What is your price range? Stratford has some very nice neighborhoods with affordable homes, as does Milford. Jay

Sorry I just realized I had not posted a price range. I would like to stay below the $300K marker. I'm searching the towns as you guys post...thanks so much for the help!

[AndyFern]

Hey there,
With your wife working in NYC, why not give Yonkers, NY New Rochelle, NY Riverdale, NY a try. Taxes are higher hear but homes are still somewhat affordable and you'd be like 35-40 min drive from Darien and your wife a 25 min or so drive to midtown NYC.

[brattpowered]

Originally Posted by AndyFern

Hey there,
With your wife working in NYC, why not give Yonkers, NY New Rochelle, NY Riverdale, NY a try. Taxes are higher hear but homes are still somewhat affordable and you'd be like 35-40 min drive from Darien and your wife a 25 min or so drive to midtown NYC.

Those towns really aren't as affordable as Bridgeport and Stratford. I think New Rochelle is pretty comparable to Stamford price-wise, and then it all goes up from there (With the exception of Mount Vernon, but it's not the best place). I would say Stratford would be the best bet. You can't buy a house in Bridgeport and just HOPE that your kid will get into the Magnet program. The regular public schools there, if he ends up in one, will most likely not be that fun for him socially, or that beneficial academically.