[mels]

Harry's is a small burger joint locally known for their great burgers.

[skytrekker]

Harry's Place

yup- showing my age here -but I remember as a young kid in the 1960's eating there- burgers, fried clams, shakes and more- an iconic place in Colchester-yummy.

[BigHouse9]

I LOVE Harry's. My wife and I used to go there all the time. We would always overdo it there too which is very easy to do.

[kd83]

Is harry's like busters (ct), summer house (southwick), or Guidos (used to be in enfield recently shut down) where you go up to the window or order your food and sit at picnic tables during the summer (in the case of some they wear roller skate) cuz if so I love those places.

[KirbyJRT]

Originally Posted by kd83

where you go up to the window or order your food and sit at picnic tables during the summer

Yes it is....

[jerseymama]

Thanks everyone for your really detailed remarks about the area. We are awaiting the offer we placed on the home to hopefully be accepted. We started out in East Lyme 4 years ago loving the area, and somehow, now wound up in Colchester (after much research, a bit more inland gives you more bang for your buck). We are terrified and excited all the same, but being able to chat like this is very helpful.

Does anyone know anything about the elementary schools? I know they did a lot of reorganizing due to high numbers, and they seem to look solid, but would love any insider input.

Also, how do the private trash services work....being a "city" girl, I never really considered having to mind my trash pickup myself! We are moving to south-Colchester (we hope) and I think one of the companies suggested is All Waste?

Lastly, anyone ever hear of Joca Dev, Inc (the builders)? They are out of Essex and the guy's name is Jorge Carreria? Just wondering.

Thanks so much!

[mels]

How the trash pick-up works is you can pay a fee (here in Marlborough I think it is $325 a year for All Waste) for curbside trash/recycling pick-up. They give you a trash can and recycle bin, then you put out the trash as normal on your scheduled day. You don’t have to do this, you can pay nothing and bring your own garbage to the town’s transfer station for free. It is up to you but I am sure most people find curb side pick-up easier. I was bewildered by this too when I moved to this area as I have always lived in places where the city took care of the garbage.

[KirbyJRT]

When I lived in Colchester we used Waste Management. Same thing as above. Trash bin and recycle bin. I setup two recycle bins. One for cans/glass and one for newspaper. They always picked it up. Cost around $75.00 per quarter. You also have access to the town dump. You can rid of old oil, househould waste etc... Recycling products at the dump are free and they charge a small fee for other bulky items. I can't help with the schools or the builder.

One word of safety advice. Make sure that when you drive rte 85 and especially on rte 161 to the shore to have your lights on. Summer time can get a little crazy.

Where are you coming from in NJ? I grew up in South Amboy. Gateway to the Shore. Left there in 1984.

[jerseymama]

Originally Posted by KirbyJRT

When I lived in Colchester we used Waste Management. Same thing as above. Trash bin and recycle bin. I setup two recycle bins. One for cans/glass and one for newspaper. They always picked it up. Cost around $75.00 per quarter. You also have access to the town dump. You can rid of old oil, househould waste etc... Recycling products at the dump are free and they charge a small fee for other bulky items. I can't help with the schools or the builder.

One word of safety advice. Make sure that when you drive rte 85 and especially on rte 161 to the shore to have your lights on. Summer time can get a little crazy.

Where are you coming from in NJ? I grew up in South Amboy. Gateway to the Shore. Left there in 1984.

Hi Kirby,
I was born in South Amboy...the hospital (that is no more) that is!! I grew up in nearby Sayreville, and I now live 45 min. north in North Haledon....well, not for too much longer. Our bid on the Colchester house was accepted and we stand to close 5/1 or so. Thanks for the word of safety advice....though I am sure CT's idea of "shore traffic" is vastly different from what we experience here in NJ! Sooooo excited to be so close to the shore again, and the shoreline here far surpasses that of Seaside Heights!

Thanks so much for all the trash info....very helpful and I am already feeling like CT is so much more "warm and fuzzy" than sweet home NJ.

ps...what do people from CT call themselves? I am so used to titles like New Yorkers or New Jerseyans (and I am married to a Mainer)....

Thanks again!!

[jerseymama]

You have all been so great....I already feel welcomed to CT. Thanks to everyone for the friendly advice!