[leavinglosangeles]

I'll keep that in mind for New Canaan and Westport...thanks!

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by leavinglosangeles

I'll keep that in mind for New Canaan and Westport...thanks!

Outside of lower Fairfield County, 5 or 6k will get you a beautiful home.

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by leavinglosangeles

Hi again from leavinglosangeles -

Kidyankee764, I would strongly encourage you to really get a feel for the Southern and California housing market, as I think there is a significant difference for something that we define as "decent home" in a "decent neighborhood" with a "decent school system." Maybe the better word choice is not "decent" for California but "good," not extravagant or luxurious, not estates or mansions, simply "good." Those homes in those areas will be a minimum of $750k to $1M without question. NAR is a great resource, but I have lived here all my life, know most of the state and have a relative who is a broker in the SF Bay Area. Those prices are just the reality here, right now anyway.

From my research, homes in CT definitely get pricier towards Westport, New Canaan, etc., but are still not nearly what they are in California for the same thing. You can get a "good" home for $500k to $600k from what I have seen.

Skytrekker, thanks for the winery information...I'm a bit of a snob in this area and have been truly spoiled by California's wine region so I am anxious to do a little exploring.

On another note, any thoughts on Gales Ferry knowing some of the things I am looking for...? Proximity for commuting to NY, not necessarily on a daily basis?

Thanks -

Gales Ferry is in New London County about 15 miles north of the small City of New London. The town is a typical suburban/semi rural area with a small town center. You should have “no trouble” finding a home in this areas as prices are moderate compared to the I-95 corridor from Old Lyme to New Haven and on toward NYC. Gales Ferry is a pretty safe and rather nice community. . I would NOT recommend being this far out, if NYC needs to be part of your circle often. You should at least go as far south on I-95 as Saybrook or closer. If however you don’t mid the rather long train ride – commuter trains leave New London, you have to check how many times each day though.

Housing……..I don’t think housing should be that hard to find…or be that expensive in the area. There are many older cottages closer to the shore, and with the two Colleges nearby, a rental can’t be that hard to find. Price wise would be far, far cheaper than the Stamford/Norwalk/Westport area. The trade off is of course, jobs.

As far as employment……., southeast CT is a big Navy, Submarine, and Coast Guard area. Much of the employment revolves around the New London Submarine Base (Electric Boat, Undersea War Center, …etc) boat and ship building, sail construction, and rigging/fishing equipment. The Port of New London, while small, is growing fast, and cruse ships are slated to make NLC a regular port stop. The other two huge employers are the Casinos (Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods),, which employ thousands in the 24-hour non-stop gambling carnival. To the north a bit is Norwich, which is not so great a place, although there have been efforts to improve the area. I would think you might have a tough time finding professional employment much north of the New London/Norwich area.

As an across the board statement – I can say the best thing about Gales Ferry…….is the proximity to the ocean. Boating, the beaches (of CT and RI) tourism in Mystic, clam shacks, seafood, marines, lighthouses……etc - If you like the coast this might be a really nice choice.

As you can tell by my username – I do a little surfing, and Rhode Island near the CT line (in Westerly) has some of the best beaches, with crashing surf on the East Coast. If you’re a beach person - proximity to Rhode Island is a great plus. Although crowed on weekends, during the week it’s not too bad. There is a growing contingent of surfers living in some of the more ramshackle sections of the older towns in far eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. Most are young - and jobless.

Along the East Coast, most people don’t swim north of Rhode Island or Cape Cod; the water is too cold. North of the Cape, the water is as cold as off central and Northern California (brrrr).

As you read several times before - the southeast part of Connecticut gets the least snow, about 25 inches a winter, and in some years (like this past winter) almost no snow falls. I live in the area, and use a push-broom more often than a snow shovel (lol). The southeast coast and the coast in general has higher humidity, so winter and summer you know the drill. I-95 passes pretty close to Gales Ferry, and Providence, Hartford, and New Haven….are about 1 hour or so away. NYC is about 2 hours by auto.

[skytrekker]

Adding to the fine information Wavehunter always gives; A Gales Ferry, Connecticut is a village within the town of Ledyard, Connecticut. Gales Ferry despite not being a town, does have some notable historic district with several buildings from the late colonial and early national periods (late 18th and early 19th centuries. Gales Ferry has been administratively absorbed by the larger town of Ledyard, but nonetheless retains its own US Post Office (ZIP code 06335) and operates a library within the greater Ledyard library system.

Further adding- the commute to NYC would be over 3 hours- but if your intention is to be in the city occasionally southeastern CT is a good choice. Also consider Old Lyme and Essex on the lower Connecticut river- Essex voted time and time again as one of the best small towns to live in across the country. I know a gal here on the forum - her family is relocating from southern Ca to Essex next month.

Old Lyme Web site Town of Old Lyme, CT - About Old Lyme
Essex Web site Essex, Connecticut - The best small town in America

I am sure you will be very impressed visually with these two New England port/river towns, they ooze with charm-and may exactly be what you seek.

[tstetinin]

The CT Shoreline towns including Branford, Guilford and Madison are worth a look. You will not be disappointed as these towns offer great living, easy commute, proximity to New Haven and the arts.

[leavinglosangeles]

Good morning all and thank you for the response on Gales Ferry. Sounds like it may be a bit too far out from NYC for me at this point. And, of course, the part of me that is longing for a "white" Christmas wants to stay as close to that as I can! I am looking in Branford, Guilford, Madison, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Essex currently and have expanded my search in Fairfield county as well.

I own a creative agency and do marketing consulting, so I don't necessarily need to be close for daily commuting, but rather for taking client meetings, etc., which would be mostly in NYC.

Thank you again!

[nwc07]

Here is a website that someone posted on another board. It compares the tax burden of each state. CT is one of the highest...

The Tax Foundation - State and Local Tax Burdens Compared to Other U.S. States, 1970-2007

[skytrekker]

great post nwco7- is there an agenda? The Tax foundation is an ultra right wing organization that seeks to preserve the rights and income of the upper 5%.

[nwc07]

Says who? No agenda here. Let the numbers speak for themselves.

[skytrekker]

Numbers? From whom the Tax Foundation? Are they objective? Hardly- as I said earlier they are primarily a Rush Limbaugh/Fox News right wing fascist republican organization- and where are you located?

Which seeks to preserves the rights of the oil and energy companies, the drug and & insurance companies- should I provide links to prove this?