[ESW]

We are relocating to Ct this summer. We have a 2 year old and are looking to move to either Madion or Guilford. Which do you think is better? Any suggetions for preschool?

[mels]

Both towns have solid public school systems, so I wouldn’t worry about that. I know nothing of preschools in the area.

As for which town is better, it is all personal taste. They are both nice towns, both geared towards the upper middle class, both located on the shoreline…I know the area well and am hard pressed to say anything negative about either town. You really can’t go wrong with either one. If I were you, I would spend some time in each town, drive around, and see what town you like better. If I had to choose one over the other, I would choose Madison. I like their shopping district on Rt. 1, the way a “Main Street” type area should be. Pedestrian friendly, many independent shops (of course you also have your chains mixed in there). You also have closer access to Hamonasset State Park, a very popular beach area on the Sound.

[Tim_Guilford]

I would say Madison should be your choice, that’s only because I am sick of people moving into Guilford. It used to be a nice quiet town, now too many Mc Mansions being put up everywhere and the freaking yuppies just drive me nuts. Lets not forget the DABS trekking their kiddies all over in the mine van.

[jcampbell05]

Madison is more Jewish, has great bookstore, eateries, art cinema house, smaller scale, more classy. Guilford is bigger, more mainstream in parts, more congested, less exclusive. Guilford's psychologically more tied in with Yale and liberal attitudes, while Madison's more tied in with money-making and status.

[ReturnGuru]

Having lived in both, again I would say you can't really go wrong in either place. I would disgree with the shopping comment on from the stanpoint that the Guilford Green area is a very nice place to shop and walk about.

As far a a pre-school - you might inquire at The Madison School for your Children. Great place, nice people... I trust them with my son.

What are your plans for housing? Buy? Rent? Trying to rent in the summer can be difficult. Just a heads up.

[Christystodd]

Having grown up in Guilford. I would say that I agree that you can't go wrong with either Madison or Guilford, but personally I would suggest Guilford over Madison. The town green is very beautiful and the shops are very cute. It is true that Guilford is expanding, however, I think what is most important is the small town attitude. Everyone there is extremely nice and many people choose to live in Guilford for a while which makes it nice because it is easy to begin seeing familiar faces. After returning home from college it seemed like I hadn't missed a thing. I came home to the same faces doing the same occupations and really appreciated the uniqueness of Guilford. Every year at Christmas the town Green is decorated with luminerias along the sidewalk and the tree in the center is lit with the most spectacular Christmas lights while the people from all over Guilford come together to sing Christmas carols. Guilford is very much about traditions and was such a great place for me to grow up. In addition, all the public schools are wonderful and very safe. Having said this I wish you luck house hunting!

[user.94040]

Guilford is a wonderful town, and on the outskirts, near Branford and North Branford, can be almost scenic. Route 1 always provides a safe alternative to 95 when it's jammed up. Madison is similar, but I have seen some differences between the two. Guilford is certainly a charming town, with great atmosphere and - get this - friendly locals. Stop in at the Guilford market one day during the summer and you'll see what I mean. Madison is less quaint, but certainly more upscale. The homes are larger, but I've met with many from Madison who are perhaps a bit too "nose-up". Both towns are close to the shore and a short drive from beautiful public beaches and parks - Chaffinch Island Park in Guilford, Hammonasset in Madison. Not sure about the schools, although I have heard good news about Madison's schools. Food, gas, all easily accessible, a few minutes' drive. Good luck in your search!

[Friendship-Properties]

I grew up in guilford. There both pretty similar towns. Like they said .. both school systems are above average, so theres not much comparing there. Both have very low crime also. Madison is a little more expensive tho and I suppose a little nicer if you can afford it. Generally the two towns are considered 'rivals' (esp. in sports)..

Just as an example on how 'upper class' madison is .. I ran across an article in the news paper that parents of elementary school students where making a big fuss that there were 'too many crumbs' on the cafeteria tables and where demanding the tables be thoroughly cleaned between sessions. Going as far as to get doctor backup. I got a little kick out of that one ..

[bluecountry]

Question, in Guilford/Madison since it is still Southern CT, Metro New Haven, and close to NY, you can commute there but not to Boston, is it like Fairfield County in that
-You get some or all NY stations in addition to CT
-You get YES, SNY, MSG, and FSNY

The Yankees, Giants, and Rangers are the predominantly followed pro teams with BOS have little prescene or starting to have some but still way more NY?

I would think given how close it is to NY and that it is a part or right next to metro NY Tri State it would be.
Boston is a lot further in miles, weather, and culture.

Thanks.

[activemom]

I have a 2.5 yr old and live in a town minutes from both places. I would choose to live in Guilford over Madison, that is my preference. The Guilford green is awesome- I've taken my little guy there to run around and have ice cream or a sandwich at a store on the green. At Halloween, they have a "parade" that all of the store owners host- basically trick or treating in the afternoon...there were 100s of people. Also, a local nursery school hosts a "Little People Fair" on the green every year- it is their main fundraiser and is a mini-fair (very old fashioned and hand crafted!) for the under 5 set. We go to Kindermusik in Guilford once a week. There is also a gymnastics place called Nutmeg Twisters with open play time (and gymnastics classes). There is a new indoor playspace due to open in the next few weeks that I am planning on checking out. Guilford has a great newly remodeled grocery store- much nicer than Madison's crummy stop and shop. Guilford also has the AWESOME Bishop's Orchards. Guilford doesn't really have the chains either. They have one small WalMart for basics. Guilford's got a great hiking trail called Westwinds. Yale has a sattelite branch with a 24hour ER in Guilford (my son just had tubes put in there.) There are also plans to build a brand NEW YMCA at the Guilford-Branford line. Guilford and Madison both have Newcomer's Clubs (great for meeting other transplants!)

Madison has no shopping (unless you shop at specialty stores for all your needs!) Madison's downtown is very cute, but I think the Guilford Green is just as cute. And Guilford is closer to other shopping such as Home Depot (New Haven), Target (North Haven), Milford (Costco).

I would live in Guilford if I could choose all over again- we moved here without knowing much and randomly picked a town.