[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Scott Summers

JayCT, I also have questions on a possible relocation. Is it cool to ask on this thread or just start my own? Thanks.

I would start your own thread with questions. That would be best. Jay

[Michelle4]

Thank you for all of your responses. I do now, have another question: Is there a cost associated with attending Catholic Schools in the U.S and if so, how much roughly? I may not have mentioned that I currently reside in Canada, where there is no cost to attend both public and catholic schools.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Michelle4

Thank you for all of your responses. I do now, have another question: Is there a cost associated with attending Catholic Schools in the U.S and if so, how much roughly? I may not have mentioned that I currently reside in Canada, where there is no cost to attend both public and catholic schools.

You're on your own when it comes to covering the expense of private schools. There aren't any vouchers/credits for not utilizing the public school system. I don't have the hard $$$$$ numbers, but i know my uncle has been complaining that the diocese of Bridgeport(the controlling body of Catholic schools in FFC) is really getting out of hand with their tuition rates. The increase is attributed to multiple settlements that the diocese has made with victims from the 70's and 80's.

[watchoverme]

What about Brookfield, Newtown, or Ridgefield? Your money will go quite a bit further there. Brookfield is a pretty little town and upper to middle class, but not super expensive. Fairfield might even be okay for you.

Definitely avoid Darien and Greenwich. I'm a photographer in those towns and my clients spend about 900,000 on their three bedroom capes in those towns. Money doesn't go far there.

Also, Trumbull is a great suggestion.

The thing about CT is this: you can have a crime ridden low income town next to a high end suburb. I've lived in other states, but I grew up in CT, and it's something that I've always found interesting about CT. It's such an old state that there is no method to the madness so to speak. "Good towns" and "bad towns" are scattered so overall, I wouldn't worry about violence in close by cities. Crime in CT seems to stay in one spot for the most part.

Also, I think most Catholic schools in CT do cost money, but honestly, if you're looking at some of the more expensive towns near NYC, you might as well take advantage the great schools that generally come with them if you're paying premium for housing. CT has great schools in general, and honestly, I think they score quite a bit better than the catholic schools in CT.

[Michelle4]

I have been looking at homes for sale in Newtown and am very pleased with their inventory (especially those within my price range). I guess my main concern lies within finding an area with younger families. That way the possibility of younger children in the neighbourhood is greater. I am shocked at how much property you get with the homes in CT. Where I am from we are practically living on top of eachother. It will be a nice change (hopefully). How's the shopping around Newtown....malls etc.?

[KH02]

Catholic schools in the area are around 3500-7000 a year. Public school is free.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by Michelle4

I have been looking at homes for sale in Newtown and am very pleased with their inventory (especially those within my price range). I guess my main concern lies within finding an area with younger families. That way the possibility of younger children in the neighbourhood is greater. I am shocked at how much property you get with the homes in CT. Where I am from we are practically living on top of eachother. It will be a nice change (hopefully). How's the shopping around Newtown....malls etc.?

Newtown is a great family-oriented town, with a lot of sports and activities. A lot of the homes in Newtown are on larger sized lots, which I like.

For shopping, neighboring Danbury 10-15 minutes away has the Danbury Fair Mall, and just about any chain store you might be looking for. If you are coming from southern Newtown, there is also the Trumbull "Westfield" mall to consider, 15-20 minutes away. And of course there are numerous small shopping centers along Rt. 25 in Newtown and Monroe.

[watchoverme]

The danbury mall is pretty nice and also there's a Stew Leonards and Costco right near by too. Google stew leonards... it's a pretty neat New England thing

[kristiv]

And then there is Trader Joes in Danbury (gourmet food at reasonable prices); the upscale Westchester Mall in White Plains and the large outlet centers in Clinton, CT and Woodbury Commons (NY). Not to mention small boutiques and individually owned stores. There is plenty of shopping to be had and the local economy will appreciate all that you do!

If you are focusing on Fairfield County in the $800-900k range you should be able to find something in most towns north of the Merritt Parkway (as well as Fairfield). Much will depend on size of house you are seeking and whether you want a newer house.

You'll also find when you visit that although CT is a small state it has towns with very different and distinct personalities. The neighboring towns of Ridgefield and Redding often get spoken of simultaneously, for example, but Redding is very rural and does not have the distinct town center that Ridgefield has. Median prices there are considerably less than Ridgefield but there is less inventory because the town is much smaller.

[vvolin]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

I have a simple tip for you. When you're looking at postings here, check the number of posts that the person has made here on C-D. I'm sure that you'll notice that the posters who are dramatizing an issue, have very few posts to their credit. The administrators of the forum are pretty good at deleting the accounts of those who come on here with an agenda of some sort. So look in the upper right hand corner to see the number of posts made by the person who is responding to you, and bear in mind that those with a fair number of posts have established a sense of credibility in the eyes of those who run these boards.

Ouch, it is like saying that an old person should have more credibility. I too have seen several superficial comments (i.e., comments with little perspective) from "oldies".

MICHELLE, peccato che vogliate stare piu' vicini a New York. Anch'io ho due figlie (11 e 5) e vivo a Glastonbury (ma ho un appartmentino nell'Upper East Side per poter sopravvivere alla "ruralita'" del Connecticut).. Auguri per il vostro trasferimento! Valeria