[CTbeau]

It sounds like you would be more comfortable living outside of New Haven and you could look in Branford. Branford is a beautiful town. A lot of people rent out their condos and a look at craigslist will help you find rentals. The commute on I95 over the Quinnipiac River bridge can be congested during rushhour going into New Haven, but if you get on I95 from route 1 just at the Q Bridge, you can get right into New Haven. It takes me 13 minutes from downtown Branford to downtown New Haven during rush hour.

I'm sorry that you came across a 'lot of murders' on Blake Street. My search didn't come across any in that area, but we may have different ideas as to what constitutes an 'area'. Keep in mind that New Haven is a city just like any other and there will be murders, unfortunately. New Haven is typical in that you can have a great, peaceful area on one block, and just a few blocks over things might change, as with any other city. City living isn't for everyone but there are a lot of surrounding towns you may like. Good luck with your search. I am sure you will like working at Yale.

[Lizzie007]

If you liked Avalon Walk, they have another nice property in North Haven called Avalon Haven. It has fewer apartments, not located by the woods (probably how avalon walk gets bus), and is right by both 91 and the merritt pkwy. North Haven has tons of restaurants, shopping etc and sounds like a really great option for you. Like someone else said, there are NO down sides.

The mile prior to where 91 south and 95 merge gets trafficky by around 8. But you would be getting off 91 and exit 1 so you can ride the right lane by any traffic while everyone else crowds into the left lanes for the merge. Also you can get off at trumbull street, which i think is exit 4, and take 5 mins of back roads to the hospital if you had to. You will be early enough though that it may not even matter.

Branford is very nice but taking 95 from there over the Q bridge is notorious for traffic. My friends who live up in branford/guilford are constantly complaining abotu the amount of time in their lives they spend sitting on 95.

[seymourct]

Originally Posted by cyrax

Hello Guys. I'm sorry if this question has been asked before, but I Searched and could not find it. I'm moving to New haven this July to start my medical residency at Yale. I have three choices

1. A one bedroom milford apt (my only concern is traffic. Can someone please comment about how long it would take from exit 34 to yale-new haven hopspital from I-95 or US 1 in the morning around 7:30AM)

2. A hamden apt at Avalon walk

3. And Wintergreen of Westville, in westville. I would really appreciate any help or input.

Cyrax

You actually have 2 more options, Seymour CT. It has a bunch of apartments. I have not looked any up for you, but I can tell you we spent a lot of time at YNHH when our daughter was born. We live in Seymour and travelled Route 67 to Route 63 which goes straight into downtown NewHaven. One quick turn on Park Street and your there. We hit traffic where 63 crosses the Merritt Pkwy around 8:00 am, but if your going earlier it should be fine.

Also, you could choose Derby, CT. Route 34 goes right into NewHaven right by YNHH there is a short jag where it intersects route 10, but stay straight on 34 and becomes N.Frontage Rd which is YNHH.

[cyrax]

Thank you all for all your help. Based on everything said here I'm now deciding on 1. Avalon walk, 2. Avalon orange/milford, 3. Spinnaker Milford, and 4. Wintergreen of westville. I'm also looking in to Derby and Branford, but I have nbot seen anything yet. I will keep you posted. Thanks again. Let me know what you guys think!!!

[kittyk]

Hello! I hope you don't mind that I am piggy-backing off this thread.

I am relocating from NY this summer to work in downtown New Haven. I am plan to visit a few apts in downtown New Haven (so I can walk to work):

The Liberty (downtown New Haven)
The Eli (downtown New Haven)
Centerpointe (downtown New Haven)

I'm also interested in living a short drive away. I am particularly interested in the area north of New Haven (where Avalon Haven and Avalon Walk are located) and the area west of New Haven (near Avalon Orange or Avalon Milford). Can someone recommend some properties in addition to the Avalon and Spinnaker communities? I'm a working professional in my late-20s and I am looking for nice, safe neighborhoods that is convenient to grocery shopping (Trader Joe's?) and a good gym.

Thanks!

PS. I noticed that Avalon Orange is pricier than Avalon Milford. And Avalon Haven is pricier than Avalon Walk. Do the higher prices reflect better neighborhoods? Or better layouts/amenities?

[nico7]

Originally Posted by cyrax

Thank you all for all your help. Based on everything said here I'm now deciding on 1. Avalon walk, 2. Avalon orange/milford, 3. Spinnaker Milford, and 4. Wintergreen of westville. I'm also looking in to Derby and Branford, but I have nbot seen anything yet. I will keep you posted. Thanks again. Let me know what you guys think!!!

I am (actually "was," before residency) friends with two couples of medical residents. They're in nephrology, orthopedic surgery, internal medicine, and something else. The two things they talk about most are how much they work (80 hours a week) and how little they sleep (0-5 hours a night). If I were you, I would make my living decisions completely based on those considerations. You want a short commute and somewhere you can sleep undisturbed.

In my opinion, New Haven (Orange St./East Rock neighborhoods), North Haven and East Haven (away from Tweed airport) are your best bets. The Orange/East Rock area is only about 2 miles from the hospital. Check that New Haven crime log to see if you're comfortable with the areas west of Orange St. and Cold Spring St.

There are fewer rental options in North Haven than in other towns, but it is a quieter town with less hassle than many of your other options. East Haven is another option with maybe (?) a larger selection of rentals than North Haven.

Milford is nice, but I think you run the risk of encountering I95's renowned traffic. If you're going to consider Milford, you might as well look at Branford, too. Between those two towns, I would choose Branford. However, considering how little you'll be home, I think you just need somewhere close to work where you can sleep.

[kittyk]

Originally Posted by cyrax

Thank you all for all your help. Based on everything said here I'm now deciding on 1. Avalon walk, 2. Avalon orange/milford, 3. Spinnaker Milford, and 4. Wintergreen of westville. I'm also looking in to Derby and Branford, but I have nbot seen anything yet. I will keep you posted. Thanks again. Let me know what you guys think!!!

I was wondering if you picked a place, and your reasons for choosing your top pick.

[cyrax]

Hello all and thanks for all your help. I was waiting to finalize my lease. So I ended up renting a large one bedroom with a den at Avalon Orange, which is about 5 miles form Yale and you can also take the streets if there is too much freeway traffic. It was the best option in terms of location and distance. The building is also very nice. Hopefully I wont be disappointed. I want to thank you all for all your help.

And KittyK, Avalon orange is supposed to be the best and will be a great bet in terms of location and time away from downtown. Milford is WAY TOO FAR. I did a lot of calculations, and though Milford is very nice, it is not worth the traffic. That is why I chose Orange, and not Avalon Milford, or spinnaker.

Let me know what you guys think!!!

[kittyk]

Originally Posted by cyrax

Hello all and thanks for all your help. I was waiting to finalize my lease. So I ended up renting a large one bedroom with a den at Avalon Orange, which is about 5 miles form Yale and you can also take the streets if there is too much freeway traffic. It was the best option in terms of location and distance. The building is also very nice. Hopefully I wont be disappointed. I want to thank you all for all your help.

And KittyK, Avalon orange is supposed to be the best and will be a great bet in terms of location and time away from downtown. Milford is WAY TOO FAR. I did a lot of calculations, and though Milford is very nice, it is not worth the traffic. That is why I chose Orange, and not Avalon Milford, or spinnaker.

Let me know what you guys think!!!

Hi thanks for your reply, I suspected that Milford might be a longer commute that I'd enjoy. Did you ever get to check out the Avalon apartments in Hamden or North Haven? How did they compare in terms of price, amenities and distance to downtown New Haven?

[Lizzie007]

cyrax - sounds like you made a great choice. i doubt you will have any regrets!

kitty - avalon orange also has the advantage of being just a few minutes from Trader Joe's. ; )