[Polishgirl]

We once lived in Baltimore...'loved it! 'Often visit relatives in D.C., and periodically in Dover NH.
'Possible (executive job) move from Charlotte NC which has low property taxes & housing costs (even for all-brick house) to New Haven area.
I will read more of these CT strings... However, I am gathering that both housing and prop. taxes are high!! (Will we be stepping backwards, monetarily?! rhetorical) We are 50-somethings with a rising 8th grader.
The local New Haven cost-of-living scares me, quite frankly. 'No question...all the cultural stuff, and geography would be delightful. However, we don't want to be "house poor".
Questions:
1) What geographical areas are "reasonable"?
2) Are there any Christian or Lutheran schools (through high school) in these areas? My teenager currently goes to school w/ a great group of kids.
Thanks for any assistance!!

[nico7]

What is your price range? What would you like for a house (rooms and or sq ft) or property?

You can compare the median household incomes listed for towns in the New Haven area to what you expect to earn. City-Data has a lookup feature, although the data are 5-10 years old sometimes.

On the low end is Bridgeport, and on the high end are Darien, Greenwich, and New Canaan (and most everything in Fairfield County).

Within New Haven County (I think), some of the more affordable towns are Derby, Oxford, Seymour, West Haven, East Haven, and North Branford.

You might also want to consider some towns in Middlesex County, such as Killingworth, Higganum, and Middlefield. These are mostly rural, but within a short driving distance of plenty of activity. If you wouldn't mind a slightly urban setting, Middletown could be an option.

[nico7]

Originally Posted by Polishgirl

2) Are there any Christian or Lutheran schools (through high school) in these areas? My teenager currently goes to school w/ a great group of kids.

Most of the Christian schools in the area are Roman Catholic. For girls, there is Mercy High School (http://www.mercyhigh.com/) in Middletown. For boys, just down the road is Xavier High School (Xavier High School Online) also in Middletown. There is another Christian girls' school in Hamden, with roots in Roman Catholicism: Sacred Heart Academy (Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, Connecticut: A Catholic, college preparatory school for young women).

Hopkins School (Please wait...) and Choate Rosemary Hall (Choate Rosemary Hall) are secular schools with outstanding reputations. Further away is Loomis Chaffee (Please wait...), which also has a very good reputation.

[IraqVetnowaMomma]

Nico was correct in pointing out that most of the private schools in the area are Catholic.... I just wanted to add on and caution you about schools like Choate. They have terrific long reputations. JfK went to choate along with other notable people and those schools have high records for ivy league placement, but the school is very expensive and unfortunately out of reach for most =(.

[skytrekker]

According to the NAR 1st quarter 2008; Median home price in the Charlotte area was 193K- up 3.2% in the previous year.

Greater New Haven, median home price 255K down 9.5% over the past 12 months.
With this information, expect to pay 31% more for a single family home in the New Haven area. The good thing is that housing prices continue to decline in CT.

I would consider Hamden, Orange, East Haven, North Haven, Wallingford & Woodbridge.

[JayCT]

Keep in mind that there are somethings about Connecticut that do not cost more. We do not pay taxes on groceries here like they do in NC. Most homes in CT are built in areas that do not have Homeowners Associations to maintain the streets in the neighborhoods. Also, while taxes are higher, the public schools are much better and there no real need to send your child to a private school unless you want to. There are many nice communities in the New Haven area to consider depending on where the job islocated. The towns east of New Haven are wonderful. Consider Branford, Guilford or Madison. North of New Haven is North Haven and Wallingford and west of New Haven is Milford, Orange, Woodbridge and Bethany. If you give us an idea of what you are looking for we could give you a better idea of where to look. Good luck, Jay

[activemom]

I'm from Charlotte originally (and am visiting my folks right now!) I've lived in CT for 3 years now. Yes, you will be stepping back as far as your house goes...if you just look at your house on its own. My little cape cod style house near New Haven was bought for $350k...every time I visit CLT my mom shows me the amazing new gigantic homes that I could buy for less than $350k. However, one thing I have to say is that there is a lot more outdoorsy things to do in CT than here in CLT. It is summer and it is hot and the air quality is awful and there is soooo much traffic. I"m a bit homesick for Connecticut right now- there are so many nice state parks and activities that are very low cost or free that Charlotte doesn't have. And I LOVE being able to ride the train to NYC and Boston and the short drives to so many places in New England.

I've also noticed that CT really takes care of its natural resources- I can't believe how Charlotte just keeps on growing with no thought to the lack of water or keeping nice pieces of land as public spaces instead of putting up yet another shopping center.

I've noticed that almost all religious schools in my area are Catholic...there really aren't as many churches in the New Haven area as there are in Charlotte.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by activemom

I've noticed that almost all religious schools in my area are Catholic...there really aren't as many churches in the New Haven area as there are in Charlotte.

The percentage of Roman Catholics in Connecticut is approximately 45 percent - nearly twice the U.S. average.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by activemom

I'm from Charlotte originally (and am visiting my folks right now!) I've lived in CT for 3 years now. Yes, you will be stepping back as far as your house goes...if you just look at your house on its own. My little cape cod style house near New Haven was bought for $350k...every time I visit CLT my mom shows me the amazing new gigantic homes that I could buy for less than $350k. However, one thing I have to say is that there is a lot more outdoorsy things to do in CT than here in CLT. It is summer and it is hot and the air quality is awful and there is soooo much traffic. I"m a bit homesick for Connecticut right now- there are so many nice state parks and activities that are very low cost or free that Charlotte doesn't have. And I LOVE being able to ride the train to NYC and Boston and the short drives to so many places in New England.

I've also noticed that CT really takes care of its natural resources- I can't believe how Charlotte just keeps on growing with no thought to the lack of water or keeping nice pieces of land as public spaces instead of putting up yet another shopping center.

I've noticed that almost all religious schools in my area are Catholic...there really aren't as many churches in the New Haven area as there are in Charlotte.

The "taking care of natural resources" is definitely something that the Northeastern communities and cities consider before approving certain growth/new development. The south and western parts of the US tend to ignore these basic fundamentals when developers proceed with plans. It amazes me. I absolutely LOVE CT's way of preservation of natural resources.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Keep in mind that there are somethings about Connecticut that do not cost more. We do not pay taxes on groceries here like they do in NC. Most homes in CT are built in areas that do not have Homeowners Associations to maintain the streets in the neighborhoods. Also, while taxes are higher, the public schools are much better and there no real need to send your child to a private school unless you want to.

I agree. Housing in CT is more as are taxes, but family of mine who moved to Charlotte for cheaper housing ended up spending a lot of money on private schooling. They regret not waiting until the kids were in college to make the move.