[ogplife]

Meriden or Waterbury? I have read a lot of the same comments on this forum about the two? What is the overall difference between the two(schools, crime?). Who has the higher average home prices? Who has a higher overall cost of living?

[glxyman21]

Meriden and Waterbury are pretty similar demographically. According to state statistics the homes in Meriden had a somewhat higher price (but this can be skewed due to the higher number of homes sales in Waterbury for that particular year) and the schools performed slightly better than Waterbury. Cost of living, I would say overall about the same for these two, the percapita tax differed very little with Waterbury posing just a tad higher. Waterbury has about double the population of Meriden though so I'm assuming Waterbury's crime rate is a bit higher.

There are nicer communities to be had, but there are nice neighborhoods around the outer edges of these cities. If one can afford it, Cheshire-Southington are nicer alternatives within a 15 minute commute to either.

[ogplife]

Originally Posted by glxyman21

Meriden and Waterbury are pretty similar demographically. According to state statistics the homes in Meriden had a somewhat higher price (but this can be skewed due to the higher number of homes sales in Waterbury for that particular year) and the schools performed slightly better than Waterbury. Cost of living, I would say overall about the same for these two, the percapita tax differed very little with Waterbury posing just a tad higher. Waterbury has about double the population of Meriden though so I'm assuming Waterbury's crime rate is a bit higher.

There are nicer communities to be had, but there are nice neighborhoods around the outer edges of these cities. If one can afford it, Cheshire-Southington are nicer alternatives within a 15 minute commute to either.

Thanks for the clarification

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by glxyman21

Meriden and Waterbury are pretty similar demographically. According to state statistics the homes in Meriden had a somewhat higher price (but this can be skewed due to the higher number of homes sales in Waterbury for that particular year) and the schools performed slightly better than Waterbury. Cost of living, I would say overall about the same for these two, the percapita tax differed very little with Waterbury posing just a tad higher. Waterbury has about double the population of Meriden though so I'm assuming Waterbury's crime rate is a bit higher.

There are nicer communities to be had, but there are nice neighborhoods around the outer edges of these cities. If one can afford it, Cheshire-Southington are nicer alternatives within a 15 minute commute to either.

Demographically...perhaps. But from a socio-economic standpoint, Meriden's average household income is 29 percent higher than Waterbury's ($49,644 versus $38,512). Poverty rate in Meriden is 11 percent versus 16 percent for Waterbury.

[Waterburyg420]

Choose Waterbury it has a better family/cutltural different atmoshpere

[sunny74]

I moved to Waterbury 6 years ago because we could not afford to buy a house in LI, NY. I do like it here. I live in the East End which is very quiet and I am walking distance to Walmart. Schools are not the greatest but my kids attend private schools. I am very glad that we made that move from NY to Waterbury,CT. I just wished that the taxes were not as high. If you stick to the good areas, Waterbury is not a bad place to live. Compare to NY, we are in heaven.

[AmericanVagabond]

I've been looking at job in Waterbury, but I am pretty sure I don't want to live in the city itself. I have family near Danbury, is there anything on the west side of Waterbury (closer to Danbury) that might be good to raise a family and commute to Waterbury? Are all the prices out there astronomical? Thx

[jane_sm1th73]

I recommend reading the knowledgeable replies on the thread to the original post.

Net: taxes are high, house prices are low, why would you want to raise kids in schools whose mean SAT scores are more than 2 standard deviations below the state average, it is hilly, it is depressing. If you are coming from Gary or Elkhart, Indiana, it would be an improvement. From anywhere else, not so much. If it were me, I would NOT BUY ANYTHING until I had a feeling for the area. Problem is, if you buy prematurely, you may find yourself stuck when you want to get out.

Nothing has changed for the better since 2007.

Other posters recommended town alternatives. Really, you should come check them out before you flip the decision switch - drive during rush hour, etc. Stay with your family in Danbury! Now, there is a stroke of luck, to have them close enough so that you CAN camp out while checking the area out.

It would just be a pity if you were to relocate, buy something, and then be stuck.

Best of luck to you.

[basehead617]

Originally Posted by AmericanVagabond

I've been looking at job in Waterbury, but I am pretty sure I don't want to live in the city itself. I have family near Danbury, is there anything on the west side of Waterbury (closer to Danbury) that might be good to raise a family and commute to Waterbury? Are all the prices out there astronomical? Thx

West along the I-84 corridor you've got Middlebury, Southbury, Newtown, Brookfield, Bethel. Expensive, yes.. But by no means astronomical. Prices have crashed hard. What is your budget? Newtown is the priciest of those, and Bethel probably the cheapest.. Even Danbury itself is really not all that far from Waterbury. North of the corridor is far out of most people's price range (Woodbury, Roxbury, Bridgewater). South is too far from 84 to make commuting much fun. I think anyone could find a home in the above mentioned corridor towns as long as your budget or needs are not overly limiting.

What is your budget?

I agree with jane smith, stay with your family and check the places out before even considering buying.

Many people are very surprised at one thing or another that become deal breakers (too rural, people not 'neighborly' enough .. Especially if they come from the south, not enough shopping etc etc). You need to experience it yourself.

[Rahmy]

I am moving in July from Fairfax, VA to Waterbury, CT to do residency at St. Mary's Hospital. I have never been there except for my medical interview. So I am wondering if the area close to the hospital is nice, safe enough and not expensive to live in?