New Canaan Vs. Fairfield (Stamford, Norwalk: relocating, cul-de-sac, condos)

[WassilyGirl]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum.... I was hoping to get some advice. I am relocating to the area for work in NYC (Midtown). After reading many threads on this forum I would like to check into Fairfield and New Canaan. I am curious as to which town you think would be a better fit. I am a 30 yr old in search of a safe, walkable town (great sidewalks, access to amenities, grocery etc), with plenty of activities but is still peaceful.

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

[andthentherewere3]

Both towns are wonderful, with a lot of shopping and amenities, but New Canaan is extremely expensive. Do you plan to buy, or rent?

[WassilyGirl]

I plan to buy....I have rented long enough! Luckily, I have a wonderful job and have been able to put myself in a position over the last 5 yrs to do so. Given that both towns are feasible (price wise), what would be the town that has easy access to the train, grocery/markets, activity ....mostly I am looking for a town with a great walkability factor ...I spend a great deal of time outside (when the permits of course)

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by WassilyGirl

I plan to buy....I have rented long enough! Luckily, I have a wonderful job and have been able to put myself in a position over the last 5 yrs to do so. Given that both towns are feasible (price wise), what would be the town that has easy access to the train, grocery/markets, activity ....mostly I am looking for a town with a great walkability factor ...I spend a great deal of time outside (when the permits of course)

Train station access is easier in NC, however you will need to make a transfer in Stamford(additional time). NC will still have a time advantage over Fairfield.

NC only has 2 small grocery stores(Food Emporium,Walter Stewarts).
Fairfield has a much greater selection.
Many New Canaanites go to Norwalk(Costco,Stew Leonards,Stop&Shop,ShopRite) for groceries.

In terms of walking through town, NC is limited.
About a 1 mile stretch of South Ave., and Elm/Main/Forest Streets are walkable. Fairfield would probably be better in this regard.

NC isn't the place for a single(?) young person. Fairfield would be a better(not the best, though) choice.

Both towns are safe. NC doesn't have any areas whatsoever that would be questionable. NC gets the nod for safety.

[WassilyGirl]

Thank you for the reply and the info...
I am open to suggestions, I am single...I want some place that has access to great restaurants and wine but is quieter than college towns or club scenes. A community to grow with so to speak ...I am at the point in my life where putting down some roots is nice. So if you have any suggestions feel free!

[jjbradleynyc]

I'd recommend New Canaan. Very walkable, dense, and "Disney-like" in its downtown area. What I mean by this is that it is so perfect-looking and laid out in parts, that it looks almost fake! You should visit if you haven't.

Have you looked at Westport, also? Easy access to the city and the downtown is walkable and very pretty along the river. Expensive, of course, but it is an excellent community with a great theater/arts scene.

[WassilyGirl]

jj-

I have visited the area briefly quite a few times, I am planning to revisit in a few weeks but this time I will be able to take my time and spend a week exploring the area. I must relocate by November. I will put Westport on the list.
Thanks!

[HelloSam]

Well, Fairfield has two universities and the students do spill over into the community on the weekends, but many of us who live here see that as a plus.

One advantage to New Canaan is that I-95 and US Route 1 don't run right through it (as they do in Fairfield, Westport, and even Darien). As a result though, it is much quieter, and it is also very upscale.

I'm sort of getting a Rowayton vibe. Rowayton is a very posh section of Norwalk, waterside community, adjacent to Darien, with a little village all its own.

[WassilyGirl]

HelloSam,

Thank you for your reply. Don't get me wrong, I think being in proximity to Universities is a wonderful thing ....I attended school in Michigan so I think my experience with college towns was a bit overwhelming... in the sense that students didn't just spill over ...in some cases they took over ! I must say I love the access to water that Fairfield has ....but I will definitely be checking out Rowayton....

Thanks again

[jjbradleynyc]

On a side note, I know you might just be looking at small and village-like, but have you thought of Stamford and/or visited??

Stamford's downtown and just north of downtown is super-walkable and super-safe. Very beautiful neighborhoods ring north of downtown and their are lots of planned or under construction high-end condos/grocery stores/boutiques/amenities upcoming. I live in Stamford just north of downtown (about a mile) in a cul-de-sac, and I swear the majority of nights it is so quiet you can only hear geese and crickets. It's amazing.