[cynfromdc]

[FONT=Verdana]Hello. My husband and I would like some suggestions on places to live in Connecticut. We are going to start exploring the area soon and are looking for suggestions of areas to check out. We are an interracial couple (late 40s) who are fortunate to be retiring early and are looking for a safe picturesque place to live. I went to Yale and New Haven is not someplace we want to live. We are looking for a place with 1 1/2 - 2 acres (maybe 3-5) and a 2-3 bedroom cottage in the $500,000 – $600,000 range. We are more interested in rural life than suburbian life. We would like to be near both African American (me) and Jewish (hubby) people. Schools are not really an issue as our children are grown and in college. We would like to be near cultural outlets. My preference is to be near a small college town. He would like to be near an artist's hamlet. I would especially like to hear from other interracial couples about their favorite places to be. Thanks![/FONT]

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by cynfromdc

Hello. My husband and I would like some suggestions on places to live in Connecticut. We are going to start exploring the area soon and are looking for suggestions of areas to check out. We are an interracial couple (late 40s) who are fortunate to be retiring early and are looking for a safe picturesque place to live. I went to Yale and New Haven is not someplace we want to live. We are looking for a place with 1 1/2 - 2 acres (maybe 3-5) and a 2-3 bedroom cottage in the $500,000 – $600,000 range. We are more interested in rural life than suburbian life. We would like to be near both African American (me) and Jewish (hubby) people. Schools are not really an issue as our children are grown and in college. We would like to be near cultural outlets. My preference is to be near a small college town. He would like to be near an artist's hamlet. I would especially like to hear from other interracial couples about their favorite places to be. Thanks!

Sounds like you would be interested in Woodbridge. It is a woodsy enclave next to the Westville section of New Haven. The homes are on large lots, there is a lot of woods, and Woodbridge is known for its large Jewish population. Next door is Westville (a very nice section of New Haven) where there are many African Americans and Jewish people. The city is a college town with 4 major universities located within a few mile radius, and a few smaller colleges mixed in as well.

New Haven has a ton of culture - excellent restaurants, trendy coffee shops, plenty of bookstores, easy train access to Manhattan, etc.

If you don't end up in Woodbridge, I'd also suggest Madison, Branford and Guilford, but they will be further from what you seek. All have many professors, writers, and doctors. Also an "artist's hamlet" sounds a lot like Westport. I think you can find what you need there too, though it could be a bit pretentious for what you desire.

Good luck

[JayCT]

I agree with Kidyankee. Woodbridge, Branford, Guilford and Madison would be good choices. They are all pretty convenient to New Haven and have the small town atmosphere you are looking for. I don't think you will find what you are looking for in Westport though or really many places in Fairfield County. unfortunately there are not many small-town colleges in Connecticut. Good luck, Jay