[berryvermeer]

We are moving this summer to CT. We are a family or 3, me Dutch, my husband, American and our 3 year old son, we have lived in Europe for the past 8 years. Our son has a language delay. We are looking for a international community with excellent programs for our 3 yr old (special needs preK, speech therapy etc). My husband will be working in NY, close to Grand Central. So far both Greenwich and Westport look interesting. Which one do you think would fit our needs better? We know both town are expensive, but that is not really an issue.

Thanks! Charlot

[westguy22]

Originally Posted by Whalehead

I was a Partner at a company that was acquired by a Dutch Company. The
Dutch executives ALL lived in Southport.
You should put that on your search list.
There is a large multi-national community that travels from SW Fairfield to NYC. You should also investigate Darien and New Canaan, as long as home costs are not the primary determinant.
I am a realtor that works in another area. We are seeing a number of families moving toward our area from Greenwich in the last year. I think the financial proposition is such that you can sell at an inflated price in Greenwich and move to our area, find a similar home at half the price.
If I can help, send a private message.
Good luck!

Southport is a very nice area and I'm not discounting it at all, but why should the original poster move there just because other Dutch execs live there? I saw this happen last week on the boards with an Irish family who was looking to move to CT. She just wanted information on CT, not where other Irish folks live so she can move there. I could tell from her posts that she was getting annoyed because instead of offering information, people were telling her where the majority of Irish live in the Northeast and that she should move there.

Greenwich is a nice town. It is very expensive and congested but you can be in the Bronx in about 20 minutes (without traffic, of course). Taxes in Greenwich are reasonable. Westport is also very nice, but a longer commute.

[LongHornGuy86]

You can be in the Bronx in 20 minutes? I thought it took atleast an hour to communte to NYC along I-95?

[JViello]

Originally Posted by UTSASTUD

You can be in the Bronx in 20 minutes? I thought it took atleast an hour to communte to NYC along I-95?

Depends on traffic. I've never used I95 to get into the city. No thanks. There are many more ways to get into NYC than I95.

Charlotte: Westport is nice, but Greenwich is in it's own league. (In a good way.) If you can afford to live in "Grenitch" go for it.

[westguy22]

Originally Posted by UTSASTUD

You can be in the Bronx in 20 minutes? I thought it took atleast an hour to communte to NYC along I-95?

I used to drive to NYC around 8pm 3 nights a week, and I would carpool with a friend who lives in Byram (a section of Greenwich). It never took us more than 20 minutes to city limits.

Now if it were during the day around rush hour, you're looking at an hour + commute.

[berryvermeer]

Thank you all for your comments. Nice to know that there are more Dutch people around it the area. I guess Greenwich will be our focus. How are the schools in greenwich for kids with a language/speech delay? Any experience, good or bad. Also if anybody knows anything about the schools in Westport I am also very interested!
Thanks again,
Charlot

[zora69]

Hi Charlot,


I own a property in Greenwich and my husband works in Westport. If its between the two I would say Westport definately. If you are open to other suggestions and money is not an issue I would also consider Scarsdale in Westchester County, NY. Scarsdale is much closer to the city, is a more international community and its school system is top rated in the country over Greenwich and Westport. Best of luck.

Originally Posted by berryvermeer

We are moving this summer to CT. We are a family or 3, me Dutch, my husband, American and our 3 year old son, we have lived in Europe for the past 8 years. Our son has a language delay. We are looking for a international community with excellent programs for our 3 yr old (special needs preK, speech therapy etc). My husband will be working in NY, close to Grand Central. So far both Greenwich and Westport look interesting. Which one do you think would fit our needs better? We know both town are expensive, but that is not really an issue.

Thanks! Charlot

[kd83]

Originally Posted by zora69

Hi Charlot,


I own a property in Greenwich and my husband works in Westport. If its between the two I would say Westport definately. If you are open to other suggestions and money is not an issue I would also consider Scarsdale in Westchester County, NY. Scarsdale is much closer to the city, is a more international community and its school system is top rated in the country over Greenwich and Westport. Best of luck.

I agree with both statements above. Westports public school "staples high school" is much better than greenwich high. Greenwich is not all fun and games..there is a not so nice section you'll find behind the bentley/ferrari/lexus dealer (dont laugh I know that sounds ironic) but Greenwich is far more diverse than Westport. I believe I just read that Darien and Westport took over as the 2 best towns in fairfield county to live as far as homes, school systems, etc. New canaan is right there with them. Greenwich is falling out of the top 5 in my opinion. All of the parents send their kids to private schools and Greenwich high is left with the riff raf. As Zora said, go over the NY border and you'll be better off. Good luck!

[GOLFNSKI]

Originally Posted by kd83

I agree with both statements above. Westports public school "staples high school" is much better than greenwich high. Greenwich is not all fun and games..there is a not so nice section you'll find behind the bentley/ferrari/lexus dealer (dont laugh I know that sounds ironic) but Greenwich is far more diverse than Westport. I believe I just read that Darien and Westport took over as the 2 best towns in fairfield county to live as far as homes, school systems, etc. New canaan is right there with them. Greenwich is falling out of the top 5 in my opinion. All of the parents send their kids to private schools and Greenwich high is left with the riff raf. As Zora said, go over the NY border and you'll be better off. Good luck!

Gotta agree with everything you said, i lived in Stamford for 3yrs and i would have picked Darien if i could live anywhere with New Canaan a close 2nd.. However theres still something nice about saying Greenwich when people ask where u live i guess.

[Stellaj]

I have a family friend who lives in Greenwich and he has an autistic son. He is very unhappy with the Greenwich school system. He feels they lack in special education. I am not sure about Wesport, but it's worth looking into before you make the move.