[smichboyd]

What about West Haven? Any comments?
Thanks so much. You don't know how much it helps to have good info when you are trying to make plans from across the country.
Michelle

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by smichboyd

What about West Haven? Any comments?
Thanks so much. You don't know how much it helps to have good info when you are trying to make plans from across the country.
Michelle

This is the most common: taxes are exceptionally high for what one gets...

[salatheel]

West Haven has some nice spots but overall I would much rather live in one of the other close towns. It has some rough and kind of rowdy areas.

[mels]

I agree, West Haven has more undesireable areas than desireable and the taxes will kill you.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by smichboyd

Does anyone know anything about the real estate market in New Haven? My husband and I usually try to buy a home everywhere we move (he's in the military). We have a decent amount of equity built up so we could probably afford up to 500K, but would like to keep our home purchase price no more than 450K. Are home prices in New Haven appreciating well, or have they flattened out like much of the rest of the nation? Is there a transitional area that is a hot place to buy for investors because it is "moving up"?

There are 206 single-family properties on the market as of today. This isn't exceptionally high considering that Waterbury, a city of similar population, has twice that number. I've read other readers' suggestions of part of New Haven to consider and can comment that I've shown many properties in the East Rock section (my exposure to the New Haven market is limited) and wouldn't have known that it existed if my buyers hadn't introduced it to me.

Originally Posted by smichboyd

Is New Haven a "young" town; in other words are you considered old if you are in your 30s? One thing I always loved about Savannah is that I had a social group that included 20-year-old SCAD students all the way to people in their 70s still going strong.

It's all "state of mind." There are many young people, but I don't think that you'd feel out of place.

Originally Posted by smichboyd

What is the best thing about New Haven?

The Shubert, the Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament, the City Green, and the (shopping) area around Yale University.

Originally Posted by smichboyd

Other than a higher crime rate, what is the worst thing about New Haven?

The fact that Route 34 was never completed and the downtown mall closed. However, efforts are being made to change this. Ikea opened about two years ago and the Coliseum was just imploded to make way for new projects.

Originally Posted by smichboyd

Would New Haven's personality be considered progressive or conservative?

Progressive. Considering that Yale University is located in New Haven and Southern Connecticut State University isn't that far away, the young people bring an open-mindedness to the atmosphere.

[smichboyd]

Rich Lee,

Thank you for the information. I think we are leaning strongly toward picking New Haven. It looks like it has enough diversity and employment opportunities to keep me happy. Also, since leaving Savannah I have always wanted to move back to a similar city and New Haven reminds me a bit of that feeling, although New Haven feels larger. We are SO excited about moving to Connecticut. Alabama has been a good experience for us and we've made truly wonderful friends, but I won't mind living in a place with a higher emphasis on culture, education, and where the first question isn't "Where do you go to church?" One question: I've noticed from searching online that many of the houses do not have central air conditioning. Is that common? I HATE window conditioners and wouldn't consider having one.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by smichboyd

Rich Lee,

Thank you for the information. One question: I've noticed from searching online that many of the houses do not have central air conditioning. Is that common? I HATE window conditioners and wouldn't consider having one.

Hi Michelle,

It depends on two things: the affluence in the town and the age of the structure. In Cheshire, it is quite common to see average Ranch-style houses with central air. I mention "age of the structure" because it's somewhat difficult to retrofit central air in a structure that uses radiators to heat the house.

Rich

[smichboyd]

Rich,

What does it mean when the cooling is listed as CAIR on a search?
Thanks,
Michelle

[mels]

Originally Posted by smichboyd

Rich,

What does it mean when the cooling is listed as CAIR on a search?
Thanks,
Michelle

I am not Rich, but I do know that means the house has central air conditioning (NOT window units).

[deadcrowsflyeast]

How much $$ do you have to spend.

Fairfield is tops on your list by a large amount..

If New Haven is a consideration I would look on the outskirts in Madison