[jojoboulette]

We are looking all over Fairfield County for a single family home. Considering a number of different areas (Ridgefield, North Stamford, Wilton, Weston, Norwalk.) Of all of those, I don't know much about Norwalk. Have been to aquarium and downtown area to eat, that's it. Both times during the weekday.

I'm reading comments on here about 'grittiness', certain areas of town that are unsafe, etc. -- can someone expand on that more?

How does it compare to the other cities I mentioned above?

We'll be seeing a house there this weekend. Any recommendations on the best way to scope out an area you know not much about in just a few hours? Any areas that we don't want to be in? It will be on a Sunday late morning.

Thank you!

[whome224]

Generally people who are considering Wilton and Weston do not consider Norwalk. Yes, the city is very gritty, but some places like Rowayton offer a more affordable, but still beachy, almost Darien lifestyle. What's your budget - makes a huge difference!

I also recommend looking at houses at night time, particularly Saturday night if you're looking in more urban areas like Norwalk.

[jojoboulette]

Originally Posted by whome224

Generally people who are considering Wilton and Weston do not consider Norwalk. Yes, the city is very gritty, but some places like Rowayton offer a more affordable, but still beachy, almost Darien lifestyle. What's your budget - makes a huge difference!

I also recommend looking at houses at night time, particularly Saturday night if you're looking in more urban areas like Norwalk.

We found a house there that we like, at least in pictures. We are very particular about the type of house we want (older/antique home that is well-maintained/updated) and this one seems to fit the bill. Not finding much else in our price range that does.

Is Rowayton a town or a neighborhood? Doesn't come up in the RE searches I've done.

Can you expand more on the gritty part? What does that mean? Depressed, low-income areas?

[Raider111]

06851 and 06855 - done

[jojoboulette]

Originally Posted by Raider111

06851 and 06855 - done

House we're looking at is in first one... phew!

[Stylo]

Stamford and Norwalk have decent schools, but they don't perform to the level of the other towns you're looking at. That's really a big factor if schools matter, and it accounts for a lot of the price difference. Where is your job?

[jojoboulette]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Stamford and Norwalk have decent schools, but they don't perform to the level of the other towns you're looking at. That's really a big factor if schools matter, and it accounts for a lot of the price difference. Where is your job?

Schools don't matter. I work from home, husband commutes to NYC some of the time, works from home a lot of the time as well. How are the zip codes mentioned above? Safe, good homes, etc?

[Stylo]

How many days is he commuting per week? What's your budget?

[jojoboulette]

It depends. Sometimes all week (rare), more often 1-2x/week. That may increase soon, he's about to change jobs. Still won't be every day though. Norwalk seems very good for that kind of commute.

Budget? Could afford nice 3-4bedroom in probably any of the communities I mentioned above. Not concerned with finding a house in our budget; am concerned with buying in areas I don't know well at all. I am not from the East Coast, have only lived here since 2012. Whatever you can tell me about Norwalk would be greatly appreciated, good or bad

[Stylo]

Tough to make suggestions without an actual budget. Have you considered Fairfield? It's almost like a "nicer" Norwalk in a lot of ways.