[GazelleRN]

Hi all!

I'm graduating from college in May and I'll be moving to CT for work (in New Haven), where I know next to no one. It'll just be me and the dog too.

I'm searching for housing but coming to find out that I know little about the towns surrounding New Haven. I would prefer to stay out of New Haven as I'm from the country and just don't like the city very much.

I will also need to drive to Clinton several times a week.

I've been looking at towns between the two, and have found places in Durham, Guilford, Brandford, and Madison. Many of these places I like because the rental ads call them "close to nature" "cozy" "country", which appeals to me. However, I worry that I may be too much in the country and will end up limiting myself in the way of meeting people my age.

Do any of these towns (or any that you can suggest), have a younger population or a town center that young people hang out in, etc, etc?

I will be working at either Yale-NH Hospital or St Ray's, which has plenty of young people -- perhaps the commute between work and my home will be short enough that I won't be "cut off" if I do live in a very rural town.

Any suggestions? I've got the pre-move jitters!

Thanks very much!

GazelleRN

[skytrekker]

Gazelle, of the towns you mentioned, Branford is the largest-pop 29,000, Guilford, pop 23,000, & Madison 19,000. Durham is the smallest with 7,700. The largest towns all have defined centers, with ample shopping, restaurants and other amenities you would enjoy.

These towns all are very charming maritime New England coastal communities- they do for the most part cater to families, with the exception of perhaps Branford, which is also closest to New Haven. Guilford has a bit of a Yale presence, with some faculty and students. I do not feel you will be stuck out in the boonies- since New Haven is not all that far away from any of them with the exception of Durham (the most rural) which is actually closer to Middletown- a nice small city where much is happening.

Madison, will be closest to Clinton.

[JayCT]

Branford would probably be your best option. It is the closest to New Haven, has a lot of apartments and condos and has a nice downtown area. You could use the train from Branford station to get into New Haven and avoid I-95. There are some young people in these towns, it just may be harder to find them than in New Haven but since you are going into there regularly, it may not be a problem. Good luck and welcome to Connecticut. Jay

[TheseGoTo11]

East of Branford you won't find many other singles. Guilford and Madison are nice places, but you might be bored in one of them. And not many apartments there either.

Some people like to live on the other side of town around Milford to be closer to NYC, but I think the eastern shoreline is much nicer.