Ridgefield Questions (Hartford, Danbury, West Hartford: travel, rent , job)

[reenz]

Hi All,
I've been looking into CT for awhile now. It started out with the West Hartford area but after talking about it with the wife, we need something that would allow me to commute to NYC regularly if needed.

I've heard/read that it is possible to do this from Ridgefield but I've also heard that Ridgefield is a very expensive area. Is it possible for a middle class family to buy a house (<$500k) and thrive in Ridgefield? I'm in IT consulting and would still be able to keep my job should we move there but would have to travel. The wife would need to look for something as well, maybe part time. We have 2 children (9 and 12) and would like a 'walkable' town with great schools.

We don't require a house much larger than 1800sf and a yard larger than .25-.5 acre but we do want something nice and wouldn't want to be the "poor" family in town. Please let me know if this is possible in an area like Ridgefield or if I need to start looking elsewhere.

Thanks!!!

[jdhall1]

Ridgefield is a pretty expensive town, which the current median listing price (per GFC CMLS 7/5/08) of $939,000 and the average price of $1,235,151. Homes in your price range usually need some work and some just seem to be marketed as 'tear downs'. You can typically get more house for your money if you look in the towns to the north and north east of Ridgefield, while still having good access to the city.Good luck!

[kidyankee764]

Ridgefield is a great town but is very expensive - similar to many towns in western and lower Fairfield County.

It sounds like you aren't sure whether or not you'll be commuting daily to NYC. If you only need to commute to the city every few days, I'd say look into Brookfield, Bethel and New Fairfield (NF would be closest to the Southeast train station to Grand Central). You can find a decent home for $500k in those towns - anything south of Danbury prices will be nearly double.

Also look into Fairfield and Milford - both have nice walkable downtowns and are on the shoreline.

[HelloSam]

Agreed with everything kidyankee said. You might find something in Ridgefield but it definitely would need work and most likely be a raised ranch. They built a lot of raised ranches in Ridgefield in the 60s and 70s.

You may also find something affordable in Fairfield. It will need work and probably be an older cape cod style house (which is what they built in Fairfield). Fairfield is a great commute to NYC, and has a terrific downtown.

Your money will go farther in Bethel, Brookfied, New Fairfield and Milford. Only Bethel and Milford have good, walkable downtown areas like you seek.

[jjbradleynyc]

I'd suggest you look in Fairfield also. But, Ridgefield does have some very nice looking houses on the market under $500k. Take a look at some realtor websites. You'd be surprised. Ridgefield is amazingly quiet, safe, beautiful, and has a quaint little downtown with boutique, high-end, and neighborhood shops.
The one problem with Ridgefield is that a train running directly to the city is not there. The closest train is in New York state.

[reenz]

Wow, thanks for the great information all! I'll take a look at Bethel and Milford while keeping my eye on Fairfield! How is Danbury?

The reason I ask about the commute is that I'm a traveling consultant and it's very possible that the company will send me to NYC often if I move to CT. This would be a better deal for me than flying out to the south or west.

I took a look at a realtor website and saw some homes in Ridgefield that are close to my price range. They looked OK but I'll keep researching. We would not be able to do a fixer upper.

How are the schools in Bethel and Milford? I've read that Fairlfield schools are good.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by reenz

Wow, thanks for the great information all! I'll take a look at Bethel and Milford while keeping my eye on Fairfield! How is Danbury?

The reason I ask about the commute is that I'm a traveling consultant and it's very possible that the company will send me to NYC often if I move to CT. This would be a better deal for me than flying out to the south or west.

I took a look at a realtor website and saw some homes in Ridgefield that are close to my price range. They looked OK but I'll keep researching. We would not be able to do a fixer upper.

How are the schools in Bethel and Milford? I've read that Fairlfield schools are good.

If you can find a place in Ridgefield in your price range then by all means go for it! The town is very upscale but the people are generally friendly. You can get much more for your money in nearby areas however.

Schools in both Bethel and Milford are good. They are very good in Fairfield.

[mollyH]

Regarding schools, these are quotes from others to me: Bethel schools apparently have some problems -- this was told to me by a friend who lives in Newtown. Fairfield schools and fairfield in general are overcrowded. I live in Redding that has great schools but lacks other amenities so we constantly inquire about schools in our potential destination towns and that's how this came up.
I used to love Fairfield, but after living in Redding, I feel fairfield is way overcrowded. Houses in most areas, curtains are a must! 3/4 million and some houses are situated so you can see through neighbors windows! I'm talking about privacy here.
Lot of the opinions you're going to get are rather subjective (as is mine)! Good luck!
I'd suggest moving to the area, rent and drive around. So you avoid the mistakes we made when purchasing our first home in CT

[reenz]

Looks like I need to rent for awhile to get to know the area before I buy. I'll keep these place in mind. I've heard many good things about Milford but perhaps if I hold out for a bit, I might find something in Ridgfield as prices soften a bit.

Very help as always. Thanks everyone. This forum is the best!