[NewinNewHaven]

I am moving to New Haven with my husband and two kids (6 years, 6 months) this fall. We are trying to figure out where we should live and I was wondering what people think of the area of Hamden just north of East Rock? What is it like as a place to live? Is it "neighborhoody"? Can one bike to Yale campus? What is is like as a place for kids? Are there good playgrounds/places to play/activities? What about schools?


Thanks,
New in New Haven.

[Lizzie007]

With two kids I would recommend the Spring Glen area of Hamden. Near great parks (Larry's Playground), shopping, stores and safer than East Rock area. Bikable to Yale depending on what you consider a good bike ride. The elementary school in spring glen is much better than the ones by the New Haven line. This is a big area for young families with kids as well as Yale employees' families. If you did not have the children, I would be all for East Rock. But I personally think Spring Glen is a better option (especially based on schools) and is only a little bit further down Whitney Ave.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by NewinNewHaven

I am moving to New Haven with my husband and two kids (6 years, 6 months) this fall. We are trying to figure out where we should live and I was wondering what people think of the area of Hamden just north of East Rock? What is it like as a place to live? Is it "neighborhoody"? Can one bike to Yale campus? What is is like as a place for kids? Are there good playgrounds/places to play/activities? What about schools?


Thanks,
New in New Haven.

What's your price range?

[NewinNewHaven]

thanks lizzie007 - that's great to hear. more than anything we are looking for a great place for people with young kids. up to 5 miles is bikable for me, so what i mean is whether the bike ride would be too hairy... sounds like new haven may be a scary place to bike?

kidyankee764 - our price-range is $450,000-$500,000 max

[Lizzie007]

Originally Posted by NewinNewHaven

thanks lizzie007 - that's great to hear. more than anything we are looking for a great place for people with young kids. up to 5 miles is bikable for me, so what i mean is whether the bike ride would be too hairy... sounds like new haven may be a scary place to bike?

kidyankee764 - our price-range is $450,000-$500,000 max

you can get something great in the spring glen area for that price. i worked with a great realtor that handles that area and their agency dominates the listing in that neighborhood. let me know if you are interested and i will private message you her info. i lived in hamden for 8 years. spring glen is known to be the biggest "family neighborhood" in hamden. you would bike straight down whiteny ave for a few miles and land right at the new haven green without having to turn. lots of people do it, i see them all the time.
please let me know if you'd like any additional info. i

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by NewinNewHaven

thanks lizzie007 - that's great to hear. more than anything we are looking for a great place for people with young kids. up to 5 miles is bikable for me, so what i mean is whether the bike ride would be too hairy... sounds like new haven may be a scary place to bike?

kidyankee764 - our price-range is $450,000-$500,000 max

Originally Posted by Lizzie007

you can get something great in the spring glen area for that price.

I agree. As a matter of fact, here is the current inventory for Hamden:

5 - Under $100,000
12 - Between $100,000 - $149,999
60 - Between $150,000 - $199,999
72 - Between $200,000 - $249,999
46 - Between $250,000 - $299,999
29 - Between $300,000 - $349,999
14 - Between $350,000 - $399,999
19 - Between $400,000 - $449,999
8 - Between $450,000 - $499,999
2 - Between $500,000 - $549,999
5 - Between $550,000 - $599,999
1 - Between $600,000 - $649,999
0 - Between $650,000 - $699,999
6 - Over $700,000

Just be very careful no to overpay. As you can see, there are only 22 out of 272 properties priced over $450,000 in Hamden. (You probably don't have to pay as much as you specified - and shouldn't.) By the way, (real) property taxes will be approximately $8,000 for a house priced at $450,000.

[KH02]

If you're looking for better schools I'd look into Orange as well. I believe their schools are better then Hamden

[eric.simmons]

Might I also reccomend Wallingford. It is right next door to Hamden, and a very quaint "New Englandy" town. Schools are great, and so is the scenery. Plenty of shopping, and Meriden Square Mall is just a short 5 minute drive. In the summer, check out Hubbard Park in Meriden, and hike (or drive) to Castle Craig overlooking Southern Connecticut (also located in Meriden). Home of Choate Rosemary Hall Prep School. The downtown is also very beautiful, full of victorian houses, and shoppes and restaurants. Only about 8-10 miles from Yale University via 1-91 South.

[NewinNewHaven]

wow, this is great. lizzie, by all means give me the realtor contact. i'm not sure how we "private message" ?

rich lee, thanks for the advice. i don't want to overpay, and it does seem like houses in hamden are priced higher than in westville (we've seen (virtually) a house we really like on central avenue and we are trying to figure out when to go visit to look at houses. we will definitely add hamden to our tour now! so... do you think things are a bit overpriced right now? given the market, we are hoping to get a good deal and would rather not spend to the top of our budget.

thanks again for all this advice and help!!!

[Lizzie007]

i just messaged you....when you loged on to this page, you should have gotten a pop up that you have a direct message. if not, look in the upper right hand corner of the page and it should have a place to click on your unread message.