[nycdweller]

If you had a choice between these two towns which one would you choose in terms of affordable and good quality homes, safe neighborhoods, and better public school system? I appreciate any info about these two towns in Connecticut. Thanks.

[uconn99]

Not all to familiar with these two towns, however from what I hear and have read is that they are old mill towns with hard working families. Both school systems are rather small, however I am not sure on the quality of education they give.

[westguy22]

Originally Posted by nycdweller

If you had a choice between these two towns which one would you choose in terms of affordable and good quality homes, safe neighborhoods, and better public school system? I appreciate any info about these two towns in Connecticut. Thanks.

Ansonia is the better of the two, and the best area in town is the Hilltop area near the high school (Pulaski Hwy). Lots of ranch homes and neighborhoods with friendly people.

Ansonia's worst "slum" is currently being demolished.

The school system is very diverse and is OK. Lots of private schools in the area though.

[Stellaj]

Originally Posted by nycdweller

If you had a choice between these two towns which one would you choose in terms of affordable and good quality homes, safe neighborhoods, and better public school system? I appreciate any info about these two towns in Connecticut. Thanks.

I would say Ansonia. Much better schools and nicer town. Derby is slightly more affordable but Ansonia has more to offer. Have you considered Shelton? Affordable, but the school system is much better and is more desirable.

[njohnson]

What is the worst area of Ansonia? Is the area between Osborndale State park and the Naugatuck river decent?

I should take a drive there, I've never been to Ansonia. I used to visit my orthopaedic doctor in Derby and never really liked that town. I also visited a client in Shelton and it seemed like a decent town, although seems much pricier than the other two.

[westguy22]

Originally Posted by njohnson

What is the worst area of Ansonia? Is the area between Osborndale State park and the Naugatuck river decent?

I should take a drive there, I've never been to Ansonia. I used to visit my orthopaedic doctor in Derby and never really liked that town. I also visited a client in Shelton and it seemed like a decent town, although seems much pricier than the other two.

Among the least desirable areas in Ansonia is the Riverside Apartments on Olsen Drive. There has been some crime in and around that immediate area in the past 10 years, so the mayor recently decided to tear them down. I think some tenants had to be out as early as Feb 1.

I know many fine people from Ansonia. It's a safe, hard-working city with grounded people, and they're crazy about high school football. The most desirable area in Ansonia, IMO, is the hilltop area (up Pulaski Hwy going toward Woodbridge). Many well-kept homes in close-knit neighborhoods.

Between Osborndale Park and the Naugatuck River is pretty nice. Wakelee Ave is the main drag there, comprised of mainly old colonial homes with nice architecture. Many have been converted to 2 family residences. Griffin Hospital is also right up the road, and there's plenty of shopping nearby. Within 5 miles of Wakelee Ave. you'll find any kind of doctor, CVS, Bobs Stores, BJs, movie theater, Dunkin Donuts, Stop & Shop, restaurants, car dealerships etc.

You should definitely take a trip to Ansonia so you can decide for yourself.

[njohnson]

Thanks for the info. I did see some homes that were pretty darn nice in the mid 200's which is a steal nowadays.

This spring and summer we plan to do some serious hiking around the state and the NE in general and along the way I think I'm going to plan days to just explore some towns that I've never been to before.

I've mostly been looking at Milford, Southington, and Wallingford as possible moves but never really considered the Ansonia/Shelton area I think perhaps because I figured they would be like Derby which I just didn't like at all. The goal is to try to be in access of Stamford and the Norwalk area for business reasons but not pay the cost of living there. I should drive to Ansonia, go down route 8 to 15 to Stamford as a test and see how fast it takes me.

[sugarmaple]

I used to live near those areas...if only the options of Derby vs Ansonia, take Ansonia. If other options, take those such as Orange, Milford (parts of)....or Hamden and then scoot over the Merrit Parkway if you have to get to that area.

[butterflyct]

I live on Olson Drive and I am very hurt by what is being said. Most of the crime that is committed here is done by people who don't even live over here. And the drugs are being bought by people that are driving down from the "better " parts of Ansonia. I know I live here and have been here for 4 years. If crime is bad over here blame your officers for not stopping it. Im from New York and I know it takes the police Department and the Mayor to clean up an area they think is bad.

[NY2CT]

Originally Posted by njohnson

Thanks for the info. I did see some homes that were pretty darn nice in the mid 200's which is a steal nowadays.

This spring and summer we plan to do some serious hiking around the state and the NE in general and along the way I think I'm going to plan days to just explore some towns that I've never been to before.

I've mostly been looking at Milford, Southington, and Wallingford as possible moves but never really considered the Ansonia/Shelton area I think perhaps because I figured they would be like Derby which I just didn't like at all. The goal is to try to be in access of Stamford and the Norwalk area for business reasons but not pay the cost of living there. I should drive to Ansonia, go down route 8 to 15 to Stamford as a test and see how fast it takes me.

Make sure you take a test run during rush hour. It will give you a better idea of how long it can take. The traffic into Stamford during morning rush hour is horrible.