Where would you live? (Bridgeport, New Haven: home, rental, income)

[mauras23]

Hello all, I'm new to posting here but have been reading the boards for a long time in my never ending quest to find the right place to live.

After about ten years away from New York, I've been offered a job in NYC and am likely to accept it. My husband's company has offices in Wallingford, and there's a very good chance that he could transfer there, so we're considering looking for a place in between my job (in the Wall Street area) and his. Norwalk seems like an obvious choice because it really is right in the middle, but I don't know the town, so I'm not sure if there are better options nearby.

For reference, we'd likely be renting for the first year or so. We have 3 cats and a dog, so we need someplace pet-friendly, but other than that we're fairly flexible. We'd prefer someplace with a walkable downtown and a decent restaurant or two. And we'd be making around $150K/year between the two of us, so price will be a concern.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[tstetinin]

I know you have your sights on Norwalk but may I offer an alternative in Branford. You can get a rental as well as a home in the area in your price range. Branford has a train station to New Haven where you can take another train to NYC. This is certainly not optimal but could be a consideration.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by tstetinin

I know you have your sights on Norwalk but may I offer an alternative in Branford. You can get a rental as well as a home in the area in your price range. Branford has a train station to New Haven where you can take another train to NYC. This is certainly not optimal but could be a consideration.

What is with agents on this board ignoring the OPs convenience and directing them toward towns in the areas they do business?? Branford is not even close to the midway point between Wall Street and Wallingford! Also, do you know how long the commute would be to Wall Street from Branford? Ride on Shoreline east to New Haven is 10 minutes, and from New Haven to GC is 2 hours, then from GC to Wall Street can take another 25-30 minutes. In all the one way commute can be over 2.5 hours.

I'd suggest lower Fairfield County to keep your NYC commute down, and the commute to Wallingford would be going against traffic on 95. It's much easier to commute from Norwalk north than the New Haven/Bridgeport area south.

With your combined income, I think you can easily afford Fairfield, Norwalk and Stamford. Norwalk is a good option and there are many nice, safe areas in town. One of the few areas I'd recommend you stay away from are the neighborhoods just outside of the strip of bars in SoNo. It can get seedy.

[mauras23]

Thanks, kidyankee. I agree, Branford would be too far to commute to my job, and I'm not too eager to have to transfer in New Haven. I hadn't thought about the town of Fairfield because I figured it would be out of our price range, but I will take a look at prices there.

Thanks for the tip on South Norwalk, too--I've heard that from some other people. Are there any areas of Stamford to avoid?

[nhctguy]

I think Norwalk is a good place to start. If you plan to rent for a year, then there is plenty of time to explore other areas/commutes. Norwalk is very convenient and you could prob get more for your money than in other towns on the metro north line. Plus, there is a wonderful (and large) dog park in neighboring Westport, not to mention the many cool restaurants in norwalk.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by mauras23

Thanks, kidyankee. I agree, Branford would be too far to commute to my job, and I'm not too eager to have to transfer in New Haven. I hadn't thought about the town of Fairfield because I figured it would be out of our price range, but I will take a look at prices there.

Thanks for the tip on South Norwalk, too--I've heard that from some other people. Are there any areas of Stamford to avoid?

Generally in Stamford, anything north of 95 is OK. Central Stamford near downtown is good if you like urban, and north of that is suburban where it can get very pricey.

Fairfield is a great town, but you should check out what the commute would be to Wall Street. It might be longer than you'd like.