[movingtoct17]

In doing some research on this topic, I found these boards and thought I might be able to get some helpful advice. My husband has a new job in Darien, CT and we are now trying to find a home that will be within a reasonable commute. We had been looking into Wilton and Weston, and to a lesser extent, Fairfield, but I've realized that we can get a lot more for our money if we extend our search to cities a bit further out. We're interested in Newtown, but concerned that the commute would be too much with rush hour traffic. Does anyone have any experience with this commute that could give us an estimate as to what a normal day/normal rush hour traffic would look like? Thanks!

[HumpDay]

Depending on what route you take it can be just over an hour drive from Newtown to Darien. Most of it is back roads until you get to Trumbell and from there you take the Merritt Parkway to Darien. The fastest route means you'll have to take the Merritt Parkway which is very unpredictable when it comes to traffic. Accidents are very common on that stretch of roadway. While you did give out some good information, we would need your budget so we can help narrow down your choices.

[lastmessiah]

I commute from Shelton to Norwalk and it is pretty rough, at least 30 minutes but usually 45 or more with traffic. There will ALWAYS be traffic. Consider Redding or Ridgefield, or even Norwalk if you don't have kids.

[CTartist]

Originally Posted by movingtoct17

In doing some research on this topic, I found these boards and thought I might be able to get some helpful advice. My husband has a new job in Darien, CT and we are now trying to find a home that will be within a reasonable commute. We had been looking into Wilton and Weston, and to a lesser extent, Fairfield, but I've realized that we can get a lot more for our money if we extend our search to cities a bit further out. We're interested in Newtown, but concerned that the commute would be too much with rush hour traffic. Does anyone have any experience with this commute that could give us an estimate as to what a normal day/normal rush hour traffic would look like? Thanks!

I am originally from Stamford but my husband and I bought a house in Trumbull. We commuted to Stamford for about 10 years on the Merritt, and back roads when there was an accident on the Merritt. It is a rough commute.

My brother lives in Newtown and he would never entertain the thought of working in Stamford/Darien. I bet there are some who do it though. Wilton and Fairfield might not be too bad. I still go down to Norwalk 1 day a week not during the worst peak hours. On a bad day it could take a solid hour if not more.

If you buy in Fairfield or Wilton and take the drive during peak (7 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 7:00) I would plan on about 45 minutes to 1 hour. To me it seems like every year it is getting a little worse and worse. I am assuming the job in Darien is near the Thruway.

Another brother still lives in Stamford. When I go and visit him I have to leave by 3:00 to beat the traffic home. There is this little window of time during the day when the traffic is good going and coming to Stamford now.

[Robert137]

Fairfield might not be too bad if your husband can take the Metro North railroad into Darien.

[Stylo]

Can he take the train?

In that case, Fairfield would be fine, or Trumbull, Shelton, Milford, Orange if you want even more for your money. Easy train commute.

By car, 95 is a mess.

[CTartist]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Can he take the train?

In that case, Fairfield would be fine, or Trumbull, Shelton, Milford, Orange if you want even more for your money. Easy train commute.

By car, 95 is a mess.

[Mike 75]

The more you can avoid 95 the better. Like others have said, Newtown will be mostly a backroad commute to Darien (its possible to make it a fully backroad commute if you want) but it will be at least a hour. I would suggest you look at Ridgefield and Redding in addition to Wilton and Weston. All offer a backroad commute to Darien when 95 is a mess and commute times should be well less than an hour.

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

The more you can avoid 95 the better. Like others have said, Newtown will be mostly a backroad commute to Darien (its possible to make it a fully backroad commute if you want) but it will be at least a hour. I would suggest you look at Ridgefield and Redding in addition to Wilton and Weston. All offer a backroad commute to Darien when 95 is a mess and commute times should be well less than an hour.

If you live in the SW corner of Newtown, you are right next to Redding, so there would be a comparable commute from there.

But if you live in that part of Newtown (or most/all of Redding), getting daily shopping and other chores done will take a lot of driving.

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by movingtoct17

In doing some research on this topic, I found these boards and thought I might be able to get some helpful advice. My husband has a new job in Darien, CT and we are now trying to find a home that will be within a reasonable commute. We had been looking into Wilton and Weston, and to a lesser extent, Fairfield, but I've realized that we can get a lot more for our money if we extend our search to cities a bit further out. We're interested in Newtown, but concerned that the commute would be too much with rush hour traffic. Does anyone have any experience with this commute that could give us an estimate as to what a normal day/normal rush hour traffic would look like? Thanks!

From Poverty Hallow section of Newtown, would be an hour to Darien Post Rd near downtown. All backroads (Rt 58 to 136 or Rt 53) through Redding, Weston, Cranbury, West Norwalk. No 95 or Merritt needed. Going through Trumbull then Merritt would be backtracking and hell. From Sandy Hook part of Newtown, add 15 mins.