Moving to CT (Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford: condos, rent , work)

[yankeewannabe]

We are considering a move to CT. My husband will be working in midtown Manhattan. Our top 2 priorities are schools and commute time, followed by housing costs. Any suggestions with respect to what we should avoid and "must consider" would be appreciated.

[HelloSam]

There are loads of discussions on this board about various towns in Fairfield County. I think given the three factors you name as important, Fairfield proper is your best bet. You'll sacrifice a bit on commute time (75 minutes to Grand Central) but make up for it with quality of schools and cost to own a home.

[kidyankee764]

The commutable towns around NYC in Connecticut are some of the most expensive suburbs in the nation with average home prices over a million dollars (Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Weston, Wilton, Westport etc). Stamford and Norwalk are cheaper alternatives, but their schools do have some issues (still not horrible though), and Fairfield is a great affordable alternative but is an hour away from Midtown, about an hour an 15 on the train.

What is your price range?

[bxt]

I know that the closer one is to NYC the more expensive the homes. What areas would you recommend for someone in the <$200K price range that is in commutable distance to NYC? The areas I had thought about were West Haven, Darien and Norwalk.

[goldenband]

Originally Posted by bxt

I know that the closer one is to NYC the more expensive the homes. What areas would you recommend for someone in the <$200K price range that is in commutable distance to NYC? The areas I had thought about were West Haven, Darien and Norwalk.

I may be wrong, but by and large, under $200K is unheard of within shouting distance of NYC (at least in Connecticut), unless you want to live in a "distressed" area like Bridgeport, the sketchier parts of Norwalk or New Haven, etc. Still, if you're very street-smart, childless, and looking for a deal, it could work. I know that Norwalk has some moderately sketchy areas that might be in that price range, West Haven probably does too, but please be careful!

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by bxt

I know that the closer one is to NYC the more expensive the homes. What areas would you recommend for someone in the <$200K price range that is in commutable distance to NYC? The areas I had thought about were West Haven, Darien and Norwalk.

You won't find any homes for less $200k in Darien. In fact the lowest price in Darien I see is over $400k. There are some older condos in Norwalk that are under $200k but I know nothing about their location or condition. I would be very careful with it though. You might be able to find something a little nicer in Bridgeport. Check Realtor.com for listings there and then post the location here for comments. Generally in Bridgeport, the nicer areas are Black Rock west of Ellsworth Street and the North End, north of North Avenue (Route 1) and west of Main Street. I hope this helps, Jay

[bxt]

Originally Posted by goldenband

I may be wrong, but by and large, under $200K is unheard of within shouting distance of NYC (at least in Connecticut), unless you want to live in a "distressed" area like Bridgeport, the sketchier parts of Norwalk or New Haven, etc. Still, if you're very street-smart, childless, and looking for a deal, it could work. I know that Norwalk has some moderately sketchy areas that might be in that price range, West Haven probably does too, but please be careful!

I've heard that Bridgeport isn't the greatest/safest place to live. Someone had told me West Haven was good, but maybe its better to rent there than to buy.

[bxt]

Originally Posted by JayCT

You won't find any homes for less $200k in Darien. In fact the lowest price in Darien I see is over $400k. There are some older condos in Norwalk that are under $200k but I know nothing about their location or condition. I would be very careful with it though. You might be able to find something a little nicer in Bridgeport. Check Realtor.com for listings there and then post the location here for comments. Generally in Bridgeport, the nicer areas are Black Rock west of Ellsworth Street and the North End, north of North Avenue (Route 1) and west of Main Street. I hope this helps, Jay

Would it be wise to look outside of the major area? Like in the suburbs of popular areas? How are areas like Westport, Fairfield and Wilton?

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by bxt

Would it be wise to look outside of the major area? Like in the suburbs of popular areas? How are areas like Westport, Fairfield and Wilton?

No...it's definitely not going to happen in those three. Their average prices for the first quarter of 2008 were:

1,773,400 - Westport
$ 713,523 - Fairfield
1,095,300 - Wilton

In all of Fairfield County (23 towns), $200,000 is possible in Bridgeport or Norwalk and Stratford (condos).

[Rich Lee]

Here's Fairfield County's average prices (all types: condos, Co-ops, single-family, multi-family) for the first quarter of 2008 (per GFC CMLS):

$ 388,600 - Bethel
$ 214,112 - Bridgeport (6 ZIP codes)
$ 558,100 - Brookfield
$ 371,215 - Danbury (2 ZIP codes)
1,765,200 - Darien
$ 897,500 - Easton
$ 713,523 - Fairfield (2 ZIP codes)
2,258,275 - Greenwich (2 ZIP codes)
$ 435,500 - Monroe
1,967,400 - New Canaan
$ 453,300 - New Fairfield
$ 520,300 - Newtown
$ 628,476 - Norwalk (5 ZIP codes)
$ 688,200 - Redding
$ 966,600 - Ridgefield
$ 427,500 - Shelton
$ 531,700 - Sherman
$ 867,615 - Stamford (6 ZIP codes)
$ 290,558 - Stratford (3 ZIP codes)
$ 453,100 - Trumbull
1,318,000 - Weston
1,773,400 - Westport
1,095,300 - Wilton