[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by beerisgood02

Yes, there is something wrong with them. Crime ridden kids and families. I feel bad for your kids that you don't care enough to put them in a safe environment, and instead, come on here to tell me Norwalk is just as good as Westport.

This is one of the most elitist and ridiculous posts I've read on C-D lately. It's apparent to me you have zero experience with Norwalk schools. They may not perform well compared to surrounding districts but, knowing several teachers in both Norwalk and Stamford, I can tell you there are lots of students who graduate and go onto lead successful lives. Life is not all about what college your kids go to - it's whether or not they can become independent adults who can support themselves and, more importantly, that they become good and caring citizens. Life is so much more than a pressure cooker school district, believe it or not.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by AMSS

Raise strong and confident kids; not meek and judgmental ones.

Well said.

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I know someone that bought a nice home in a beautiful section of Norwalk but after hearing some horror stories about the schools (particularly at the middle and high school levels) sold and moved to Fairfield. They never looked back and do not regret the decision.

And then there are many more that stayed and didn't move out without any horror stories and never regretted it. And then there are many more who buy SF homes in town every quarter more so than almost every other town in the state with avg selling prices in the $500s - $600ks.

[jax12479]

Originally Posted by AMSS

Nothing ever happened to my kids - please explain to me how I don't care about them, though. I'm curious to see how far you'll go defending your decision to go house poor to put your kids in Greenwich schools. I actually feel bad for your kids that you are raising them to fear other kids and to believe some schools are full of children from "crime ridden kids families".

Raise strong and confident kids; not meek and judgmental ones.

Hang on, pretty sure beerisgood is a Westport guy, not Greenwich. Greenwich actually has some diversity.

The fact that people are arguing about school systems when the OP just has a one year old is kind of funny... If I were him I'd stay in the city while he still can and enjoy it!

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

This is one of the most elitist and ridiculous posts I've read on C-D lately. It's apparent to me you have zero experience with Norwalk schools. They may not perform well compared to surrounding districts but, knowing several teachers in both Norwalk and Stamford, I can tell you there are lots of students who graduate and go onto lead successful lives. Life is not all about what college your kids go to - it's whether or not they can become independent adults who can support themselves and, more importantly, that they become good and caring citizens. Life is so much more than a pressure cooker school district, believe it or not.

This should be a sticky on this forum.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Raider111

350K in those towns come with much higher mill rates, then add in higher commuting costs.

A couple days a week commuting cost won't make a big difference.

I don't agree on "much higher mill rates". Compared to Stamford and Norwalk? Many of the towns I listed are comparable.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by jax12479

Hang on, pretty sure beerisgood is a Westport guy, not Greenwich. Greenwich actually has some diversity.

The fact that people are arguing about school systems when the OP just has a one year old is kind of funny... If I were him I'd stay in the city while he still can and enjoy it!

I believe the OP and their spouse are looking to buy and put down some roots. They are not necessarily looking to buy and then move in a couple of years. If that were the case they would be better off renting for a couple of years instead. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Raider111

And then there are many more that stayed and didn't move out without any horror stories and never regretted it. And then there are many more who buy SF homes in town every quarter more so than almost every other town in the state with avg selling prices in the $500s - $600ks.

This is true but the OP should be aware of all of the thoughts on this move before making their decision. Jay

[Henry10]

Fighting the young parents tendencies to move to a better school district seems Don Quixotesque to me.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by JayCT

While I agree that Norwalk has a lot to offer, it is not for everyone. Despite your description, Norwalk is still a city and has some of the urban ills that many seek to leave. I know someone that bought a nice home in a beautiful section of Norwalk but after hearing some horror stories about the schools (particularly at the middle and high school levels) sold and moved to Fairfield. They never looked back and do not regret the decision. As for Norwalk having more and better restaurants, as Raider says, Fairfield has a pretty good selection of food for a town of its size. Plus if someone wants even more, Norwalk is not that far. Neither is Bridgeport or New Haven for that matter.

As far as I can tell, GE moving out of Fairfield has had little effect on housing in town. Remember only 200 of the 800 jobs based in the Fairfield headquarters went to Boston and many of those lived in other towns besides Fairfield. Not sure why you think the loss 200 jobs would impact a town as large, desirable and diverse as Fairfield so much. It has not.

Only the OP and his spouse can determine if living further out is worth it or not. He says it is not. His wife may say otherwise. Young people today do value their time but when it comes to their children, they just like their parents and grandparents are willing to make sacrifices. Millenials have been hampered by a problem economy and only recently have they been showing that they are following in the footsteps of past generations by moving to the suburbs once they begin having children. Jay

And the operative word is "heard". I can't tell you how many parents go private or fear because they "heard" horror stories. I've seen that on every economic level and will guarantee you that people have exited Westport public schools because of what they heard. You really need to see for yourself.