[alliecat]

LOL! You know, I searched for rentals only in Milford and didn't even think to look at Fairfield. I'm on it.Thanks SO much, guys!

[alliecat]

Woo hoo! Fairfield is totally doable. One question: what does it mean when I look at house and where the school name should be it says "PBOE"?

And edited to ask - I've read here about heating prices being through the roof in winter. Generally true if we're renting an older home?

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by alliecat

Woo hoo! Fairfield is totally doable. One question: what does it mean when I look at house and where the school name should be it says "PBOE"?

In larger cities (New Haven and Bridgeport), it is acceptable for the agent to put "PBOE" which means "Per Board of Education." If you see this for a town like Fairfield, it means the agent was too lazy to do his/her homework.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by alliecat

Woo hoo! Fairfield is totally doable. One question: what does it mean when I look at house and where the school name should be it says "PBOE"?

And edited to ask - I've read here about heating prices being through the roof in winter. Generally true if we're renting an older home?

Per Board of Education.

[alliecat]

Thank you!

[andthentherewere3]

Unfortunately, heating oil is very expensive. A home with an older furnace, and poor insulation will not help. You should try to keep your thermostat fairly low. The price of heating oil right now is uncertain, but don't be surprised to find it costs well over $400.00 a month to heat a modest home this winter. I suspect it may end up being much higher, too.

[HelloSam]

You can rent a house in the town/beach area of Fairfield that is on a gas line, and gas is definitely less expensive than oil. But watch out if its a small cape - it may have *no* insulation in the downstairs walls.

[alliecat]

Thanks, HelloSam. There's so much to try to think about/remember. Ack!

I couldn't put my finger on why, but I'm really leaning toward Milford. Schools seem good, right on the train line, COL isn't exhorbitantly different than where we currently are (it's *only* 40% higher as opposed to the 300+% of Greenwich and other areas) and rental prices are what we were looking for.

Same gasline/insulation rules for Milford?

[HelloSam]

Ha ha ha, I don't know about Milford utilities! I've lived in fairfield for three years, and my gas bills in the winter are very reasonable. a friend bought a little cape in the beach area, and while she also has gas heat, she learned that the downstairs has no insulation at all in the walls. back when the capes were built, many were beach cottages, and code was that you only had to insulate upstairs!

You should be able to see what utilities are for properties you are interested in from the listings. If there is no listing, be sure and ask whether gas, electric or oil heat.