[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

I don't know about Beacon Falls--I've been there several times, and it is so "in the middle of nowhere," as far as CT is concerned...it seems so "backward and simple." I was shocked...there's even a metro north train stop there, but it is unbelievably uncultured.
My partner taught at Woodland High School for 3/4 of the year...he quickly exited, as in his words the kids there "were zombies." It's a pretty conservative and uncultured little spot. Although visually it is very pretty...probably cheaper house prices too.

I disagree that Beacon Falls is in the middle of nowhere. It's about 20 minutes to New Haven, 10-15 minutes to Waterbury, about 25 to Bridgeport and next door to Naugatuck which is a small city. Middle of nowhere to me would be a town like Thompson or Salisbury where you have to drive very far for simple necessities.

I would have to agree with you regarding "uncultured" though. Most I've met from Beacon Falls do not have the means to travel and experience life outside of western CT (not by choice). The town is largely working class with some new white collar families moving in. It certainly is different from most other towns in the Naugatuck Valley, which has a strong Fairfield County influence.

As for being conservative, I would agree with you 10 years ago but I think that has changed. I would agree with Stratford CT, Resident's post on another thread that the Valley is similar to the rest of CT - fairly moderate. Socially liberal, fiscally conservative.

[hvexpatinct]

Originally Posted by greyson83

hi guys, my wife and I are newlyweds possibly relocating from upstate NY (Buffalo) to Connecticut. We have 2 dogs and need space, and want a town with good schools should we have kids. We do not want an urban town and don't mind driving far for stuff.

Im working in Fairfield county (Danbury) and my wife will probably do some work in Hamden where she has relatives. What are some good rural towns in between Dabury and Hamden where we can get a house for $300k. CT seems so expensive and Im hoping we dont have to stretch that figure. We are ok with a 2 bedroom house as long as it has land. Looks like Seymour is about half way and Beacon Falls. Any information is great since we havent ever been there.

Oh yeah, no condos!!!! Thanks

Welcome to CT from another former NYer!
Beacon Falls is... ok. The housing prices are pretty good. The school district isn't bad - it's shared with Prospect which is more affluent. I would pick BF over Seymour given the choice.
You might be able to find a fixer upper in Oxford in that range too.

Most of the rural areas in CT are to the north and/or east of Danbury which makes for a bad commute to Hamden.

[greyson83]

Originally Posted by hvexpatinct

Welcome to CT from another former NYer!
Beacon Falls is... ok. The housing prices are pretty good. The school district isn't bad - it's shared with Prospect which is more affluent. I would pick BF over Seymour given the choice.
You might be able to find a fixer upper in Oxford in that range too.

Most of the rural areas in CT are to the north and/or east of Danbury which makes for a bad commute to Hamden.

What is Oxford like? I can be pretty handy and could do most work myself if I have to, I dont want to, but I can. If Oxford is worth it then we will do it. Is it a better town then Beacon Falls? Can you compare the 2 for me?

Where in NY are you from? How do u like CT??

[greyson83]

Originally Posted by seymourct

Where did you hear we CT natives were snotty? This has been asked and answered over and over, NO NO NO we are not snotty. Most often you will find your neighbors will mind their own business and try not be to nosy. That is just how it is, but that is not snotty. We aren't peering into the windows to see your furniture, or running up to play 20 questions in an amateur attempt at sleuthing out your private life or resume.

There is not any real "Welcome Wagon" organization that is actively showing up at homes once the moving van pulls up, so don't expect to be jumped on by the locals. It is mostly been up to the newcomers to stop wave and say "Hi", as it is the general assumption here that you want your privacy, unless you do the opening up.

Wow Ive never heard that it should be up to newcomers to say hi. I guess we we will have to adapt! Most people say ct is snobby outside of ct of course.

I enjoy conversations with my neighbors, saying hi, talking politics, sports and such. Will I find more friendly people in Beacon Falls, Seymour or Oxford?

[greyson83]

I just got back from a real estate website and it looks like oxford is waaaaay too expensive. the fixer upper houses are real small, on no land and some dont even have kitchen counters so Id have to put that in myself. Damn for $275 k near me you could get 5 acres and a 5 bedroom huge house. why is Conn so expensive?

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by greyson83

I just got back from a real estate website and it looks like Oxford is waaaaay too expensive. The fixer-upper houses are real small, on no land and some don't even have kitchen counters so I'd have to put that in myself. Damn for $275k near me, you could get 5 acres and a 5-bedroom huge house. Why is Conn. so expensive?

Connecticut is expensive due to its proximity to New York City.

I was looking at the towns between Danbury and Hamden; there are no towns that truly match your criteria.

I'm thinking that you might have to focus closer to Hamden versus Danbury giving your wife the more advantageous commute.

By the way, I've been to Buffalo (was accepted at SUNY - Buffalo but didn't attend) and know what you mean about the real estate prices there. If you think Buffalo's a deal, you should check out the greater Jamestown area!

[greyson83]

Originally Posted by Rich Lee

Connecticut is expensive due to its proximity to New York City.

I was looking at the towns between Danbury and Hamden; there are no towns that truly match your criteria.

I'm thinking that you might have to focus closer to Hamden versus Danbury giving your wife the more advantageous commute.

By the way, I've been to Buffalo (was accepted at SUNY - Buffalo but didn't attend) and know what you mean about the real estate prices there. If you think Buffalo's a deal, you should check out the greater Jamestown area!

Thanks Rich Lee.

Commuting from hamden to Danbury will be ok I guess. Do u know of any rural affordabel towns near Hamden? Do u know anything about goshen? looks like it might be a little more affordable there.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by greyson83

Thanks Rich Lee.

Commuting from hamden to Danbury will be ok I guess. Do u know of any rural affordabel towns near Hamden? Do u know anything about goshen? looks like it might be a little more affordable there.

I agree that the rural towns between Hamden and Danbury are somewhat out of your price range. If you don't mind a compromise, and being in a suburban town instead of rural, then Naugatuck, Ansonia and Derby are in your price range. Beacon Falls is too, somewhat. Sounds like you don't want a fixer - upper, so scratch Oxford, as well as Monroe, Southbury and Middlebury.

I don't know much about Goshen except that it's very rural and remote, and situated in the beautiful Litchfield Hills. The commute to both Danbury and Hamden would be killer, though.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by greyson83

Thanks Rich Lee.

Commuting from Hamden to Danbury will be ok I guess. Do u know of any rural affordable towns near Hamden? Do u know anything about Goshen? looks like it might be a little more affordable there.

Goshen is a rural town (pop. 2,944) in north central Litchfield County. As kidyankee764 pointed out, you will be hating life due to the commutes.

The midpoint between Danbury and Hamden is Oxford.***There is no direct route from Danbury to Hamden.***However, if you stay along I-84/Route 8, this yields Woodbury, Middlebury, Watertown, Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Prospect, Cheshire, and possibly Wolcott/Southington (Marion and Milldale sections). For example, go to any one of the various websites* and enter "Southington" and "N277905" to see a property near Exit 27/28 off I-84.

"Rural" is sometimes hard to define. Cheshire and Naugatuck, the two most populous towns listed, have sections that could be considered rural.

From my house in Cheshire, I can get to Hamden in 20 minutes (9 miles) and Danbury in 40 minutes (35 miles).

*various websites:
realtor.com
coldwellbankermoves.com
prudentialct.com
raveis.com

[seymourct]

Originally Posted by greyson83

Wow Ive never heard that it should be up to newcomers to say hi. I guess we we will have to adapt! Most people say ct is snobby outside of ct of course.

I enjoy conversations with my neighbors, saying hi, talking politics, sports and such. Will I find more friendly people in Beacon Falls, Seymour or Oxford?

We enjoy all the same things, talking to the neighbors, letting the kids play, etc. etc. Don't get me wrong people are quite neighborly (not snobby or snotty) once you let them know your open to it. Again, we simply aren't going to get in your face. Which is fine for a lot of folks.
So, good to hear that you can adapt. Reach out to your new neighbors, without jumping in their business, and you'll do GREAT.

We are CT natives, and when we moved to Seymour it took time, but we now now most of the neighbors. The ones we've met are very friendly now. It took us repeatedly saying "hi" while out walking & encouraging the kids to smile at eachother.

As for rural that is going to be tough in an affordable area. We looked day and night for over 6 months before finding our home. Our neighborhood is residential, but not rural. You've ruled out Oxford as too expensive, so I'd say Beacon Falls or Seymour.
Good luck hunting for your hearth and home, and to be neighborly I'll say Welcome to CT.