[kidyankee764]

pmeek-

The towns that the others have suggested seem to be just what you're looking for, except for Killingworth, what's with that?

Orange is a fine town but the closer you get to Route 1, the busier it gets. There are a good amount of big box stores but there are also quiet neighborhoods as well.

Woodbridge and Monroe do not have Wal-Marts or big box stores. Woodbridge has some businesses on the New Haven line near Westville (car dealerships, banks, offices) and Monroe has some businesses along 25, mostly grocery stores, banks, restaurants - things of that sort. They are both fine communities and are very desirable.

Oxford is a growing town that did recently build its own high school. I don't think being a new school has affected the performance of students because I keep reading in the newspapers that the town has set a rigorous curriculum. There are plenty of sports and an indoor pool. Currently there are only freshman and sophomores attending, but next year there will be juniors and the following year seniors. Once the school is filled up, sports fields will be there. Here is a link to the school's website. There, you can view what is offered. It seems to be similar to what's offered at Amity (Woodbridge, Bethany, Orange), Pomperaug (Southbury) and Masuk (Monroe). Oxford High School Home Page

My parents just moved to Oxford and love it. It's leafy as you prefer, semi-rural (not as rural as Bethany and Easton) and you don't need to travel too far for basic needs as there are banks, offices, deli's, coffee/bagel shops, Starbucks, Quiznos and soon there will be a grocery store.

My parents are restaurant snobs as they enjoy trying new places to dine often. Among their favorites in the general area you're looking are Mona Lisa in Newtown, Oxford House in Oxford, Roselands Pizza in Derby, Alberto's in Seymour (actually right up the road from where your husband will work) and their favorite is the new upscale 121 Restaurant at the Oxford Airport, literally right on the runway. It just opened and I've heard others rave about it as well (there is even a parking lot for private jets!)

Easton is a great town as well, but pricey because it's in the heart of Fairfield County, closer to NYC. It's worth it if you are willing to have less house for your money. Easton students attend Joel Barlow High in Redding, an excellent district. For $700k you can still get a decent house in Easton, but not quite what you can get in Monroe, Oxford, Woodbridge or Bethany.

FYI - most of these town's are more than 90% white.

All of these towns are pretty similar and offer great quality of life.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I am going by high school student performance on the Connecticut Academic Performance Tests

These tests are considered a joke to so many high school students, parents and teachers alike. IMO, you can't accurately base rankings on the CAPT.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

These tests are considered a joke to so many high school students, parents and teachers alike. IMO, you can't accurately base rankings on the CAPT.

Sorry to disagree with you, but they are NOT a joke. I agree that they do not tell the entire story of whether a school is good or not or if the school would be weel-suited for a particular student. But they do give a good indication of the level of students attending and the teaching that is going on there. Also, what other information is there that will help someone new to the area decide on where to live? For lack of anything better, I think that CAPT results along with class sizes are the best we have to objectively know what is the "best" school in an area. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Sorry to disagree with you, but they are NOT a joke. I agree that they do not tell the entire story of whether a school is good or not or if the school would be weel-suited for a particular student. But they do give a good indication of the level of students attending and the teaching that is going on there. Also, what other information is there that will help someone new to the area decide on where to live? For lack of anything better, I think that CAPT results along with class sizes are the best we have to objectively know what is the "best" school in an area. Jay

I graduated from one of the best districts in the state here in Fairfield County and even in my high school, students didn't really care when taking them. I remember teacher's saying not to worry about it, because it simply means nothing. Colleges don't look at them. They're basically only used for rankings - which I feel isn't accurate because of the general mindset of students when taking them.

If you want to look at the "best" districts, consider extra-curricular activities offered (clubs, sports), types of classes, amount of AP courses, percentage of students who are in the NHS vs drop-out rates, special education programs, class sizes (which you said), parental involvement, etc. Research must be done, instead of simply looking at one test score. JMO though, we can agree to disagree.

[celina1960]

If you are to consider Shelton (White Hills) I have a very custom built house on 1.76 flat acres. It's an interior lot giving alot of privacy. The home is 3000 sq. ft. with 4 bed 2 1/2 baths and 2 car garage. Good chance they will sell for about 550k. Currently listed at 589k. Celina

[pmeek2309]

Kidyankee and others...thank you again! I visited the Restaurant 121 web page and it looks fantastic. We will have to try it!

If you all had to choose, would you live in Bethany, Oxford, Shelton or Easton? And why?

I think we have narrowed our search down quite far thanks to all of you. I am so thankful I found this website!

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by pmeek2309

Kidyankee and others...thank you again! I visited the Restaurant 121 web page and it looks fantastic. We will have to try it!

If you all had to choose, would you live in Bethany, Oxford, Shelton or Easton? And why?

I think we have narrowed our search down quite far thanks to all of you. I am so thankful I found this website!

Strike Easton from the list. While it is a beautiful town, 700K won't get you a modern home and the location isn't really ideal(in relation to where your husbands position is).

I think Woodbridge would be a much better fit. It's a beautiful rural town with a top-notch school system and easy proximity to Ansonia and Orange(which is where you will find one of the broadest ranges of shopping selection in the state).

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by celina1960

If you are to consider Shelton (White Hills) I have a very custom built house on 1.76 flat acres. It's an interior lot giving alot of privacy. The home is 3000 sq. ft. with 4 bed 2 1/2 baths and 2 car garage. Good chance they will sell for about 550k. Currently listed at 589k. Celina

Really professional to reveal this information. Is the home overlisted by 39K, or are you just really so desperate for a sale that you would breach your clients' confidentiality like you have just done?
Single Family Home - Shelton, CT, 06484 - Realtor.com

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by pmeek2309

If you all had to choose, would you live in Bethany, Oxford, Shelton or Easton? And why?

I would choose Oxford for all the above mentioned reasons. Shelton is a city (with a Wal-Mart ) and might not be rural enough for you.

Good luck with your search; you should really have a visit and decide for yourselves which town best suits your needs.

[pmeek2309]

Originally Posted by andthentherewere3

I would choose Oxford for all the above mentioned reasons. Shelton is a city (with a Wal-Mart ) and might not be rural enough for you.

Good luck with your search; you should really have a visit and decide for yourselves which town best suits your needs.

We're coming to CT this weekend so we will check out all the towns mentioned. I'm sure we will be back with further questions!