[msamoyedny]

My husband and I are thinking of relocating our family (3 kids under 3 yrs!) to CT. I'm interviewing in Stamford. We have been searching for houses under $375K and it looks like Shelton has a lot to offer. I've heard the commute to Stamford from Shelton is bad. How bad is it? Is 95 really a parking lot during rush hour? Should we look somewhere else?

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by msamoyedny

My husband and I are thinking of relocating our family (3 kids under 3 yrs!) to CT. I'm interviewing in Stamford. We have been searching for houses under $375K and it looks like Shelton has a lot to offer. I've heard the commute to Stamford from Shelton is bad. How bad is it? Is I-95 really a parking lot during rush hour? Should we look somewhere else?

Absolutely: it's a little better if you take Route 15 (Merritt Parkway).

Unfortunately, $375,000 is a tough price for a single-family house in Fairfield County unless you consider Stratford or Bridgeport which have similar commutes.

Here's a snapshot of the current inventory:

130 Bridgeport - 413 out of 446 single-family properties are under $375,000
350 Norwalk - 65 out of 343 single-family properties are under $375,000
440 Shelton - 66 out of 170 single-family properties are under $375,000
480 Stratford - 218 out of 290 single-family properties are under $375,000

[andthentherewere3]

Route 15 won't be any better during rush hour. If you leave around 7:00 a.m. you can avoid some of the worst traffic, but then on the way home Rt. 15 starts backing up by 4:00 or so. And if there is an accident, (which there frequently is) traffic halts to a stand-still. My dh takes the back roads as much as possible; he commutes from Monroe to the New Canaan area, just north of Stamford. You are still looking at an hour or more commute each way, though. The commute from Shelton to Stamford is doable, many do it, it's just not an easy one.

[msamoyedny]

Originally Posted by Rich Lee

Absolutely: it's a little better if you take Route 15 (Merritt Parkway).

Unfortunately, $375,000 is a tough price for a single-family house in Fairfield County unless you consider Stratford or Bridgeport which have similar commutes.

Here's a snapshot of the current inventory:

130 Bridgeport - 413 out of 446 single-family properties are under $375,000
350 Norwalk - 65 out of 343 single-family properties are under $375,000
440 Shelton - 66 out of 170 single-family properties are under $375,000
480 Stratford - 218 out of 290 single-family properties are under $375,000

I appreciate your response, but why would you steer me towards Bridgeport? I've heard much better things about Shelton than Bridgeport. I have 3 kids so I need good schools and a safe area. From your inventory listing, it actually looks like it is pretty easy to get a house under $375K these days in Shelton. I only need 1 house, so having 66 to choose from seems like a lot!

[usmcfamily]

With 3 kids, I would avoid Bridgeport at all costs. In addition to Shelton, look at Monroe. With the housing prices so low, you may be able to find something in that range. You can jump on route 25 that connects to route 15 or 95. I have to agree that the commute will be frustrating and long. Monroe is a great town for raising kids. Beautiful town park with playgrounds, pool, tennis, volleyball, hiking trails, sports fields. My kids have thrived in the schools here - I think the schools are wonderful!

I don't know the crime stats but it is extremely safe! Best of luck!

[andthentherewere3]

Monroe has very little crime:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Monroe-Connecticut.html

And you can definitely find several homes for less than 375k now.

My oldest kids went through the Monroe school system, and my youngest will be starting next year. It's a great town, with a lot of activities for families and children, with great schools, and very safe. In addition to commuting as usmcfamily suggested, you can take the back roads; Rt. 59 to Rt. 136 etc. Good luck!

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

I think you'll find a decent selection in Shelton at that price. I don't know if you're aware that Huntington is a section of Shelton. Some people mistakenly think that Huntington is a separate town from Shelton. So, if you see a listing that says Huntington, Ct., it is located in Shelton and is a perfectly nice area.

As far as the commute, lately traffic has been lighter on Rt.15. Still, your typically looking at a minimum of 40mins. in the best possible scenario. Expect at least 60-75mins. on an average day. Commuting on I-95(accessed from the Rt.8/25 connector) would take you longer than the commute on Rt.15.

The closest town east of Stamford within your budget is Fairfield. If you can find something suitable, go for it. If not, i would also look at Monroe, Trumbull, and North Stratford(06614), in addition to Shelton/Huntington.

To the north of Stamford, Brookfield and Bethel may be an option as well. I'll have to defer to someone more knowledgeable about those towns. Good luck.

[msamoyedny]

Thanks for the tips about monroe. I'll definitely add that onto my list. it does look like there are some houses available in my price range. I appreciate your advice!

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by msamoyedny

I appreciate your response, but why would you steer me toward Bridgeport?

You misunderstood me. Besides, real estate agents aren't allowed to steer. I was providing a picture of southeastern Fairfield Couny - which is the cheapest part of the county - and how the inventory changes.

As others have indicated, there's also Monroe with 30 properties under $375,000 (16 Ranches, 2 Raised Ranches, 4 Splits, 3 Capes, 2 Colonials, and 3 others).

[ponytrekker]

Originally Posted by msamoyedny

My husband and I are thinking of relocating our family (3 kids under 3 yrs!) to CT. I'm interviewing in Stamford. We have been searching for houses under $375K and it looks like Shelton has a lot to offer. I've heard the commute to Stamford from Shelton is bad. How bad is it? Is 95 really a parking lot during rush hour? Should we look somewhere else?

Consider the train, if your office is near it.