Where the heck do i go???? (New Haven, Hartford: how much, house, neighborhoods)

amyrob4 · 02-25-2009, 07:25 AM

Hi All...
I have been reading many of the past posts about Conneticut. My hub and 3 kids (3,6,9) are getting the heck out of Florida (good choice, I know) and moving to beautiful Connecticut. We are so confused

on where to go. We want to be near the water, thats a given. We want TOP schools in a neighborhood where we dont have to drive 20 minutes to CVS,lol. All in all, we are looking for a young, family oriented area. I have heard that Woodbridge is the happenin place. Any thoughts? I have also heard that outside of New Haven is a nice area. I would love Greenwich but way too exspensive. Any feedback would be great

sunflowers 66 · 02-25-2009, 07:30 AM

We are moving from Palm Beach and just requested info on Oxford. It seems rural and equestrian but very nice, we'll see what happens! Maybe we can share information we gather. Good luck!!

KH02 · 02-25-2009, 07:49 AM

How much are you looking to spend, that WILL matter more than anything as to where we reccomend.

JayCT · 02-25-2009, 07:55 AM

You do not indicate what you do for a living or the need for employment. That may help in determining where would be best to live for you.

Since you want to be near the water, I would consider the shoreline towns east of New Haven. They are great family towns with excellent schools and have good access to the beaches of Long Island Sound. Consider Branford, Guilforrd and Madison, plus Clinton and Westbrook. The only real problem with these towns is that there is limited major mall shopping, so you will have to travel a bit for bigger selections. But these do have all of the major stores for food and basic needs. I hope this helps. Jay

jjbradleynyc · 02-25-2009, 08:17 AM

I hope you land somewhere where you will be happy in CT!

As others mentioned, what will you do for work, and are there any constraints regarding that in terms of where to live? What is the housing budget? CT has major differences in cost--with Fairfield County being the most expensive, but also the closest to NYC, of course. The areas east of New Haven are beautiful (near the coast), and less expensive. New Haven itself has some happening neighborhoods, but you have to be careful exactly where you look in New Haven city. The surrounding 'burbs have some wonderful areas.

amyrob4 · 02-25-2009, 10:29 AM

See, I love you Conneticut people already! thanks for the quick responses. As far as work, I am a medical assistant and my hub is a karate instructor. I know CT is more exspensive than Fl so we were looking at not going over 1 mill. We were leaning toward the New Haven area but then heard that parts of it are really bad. Im assuming that not living in the city would be wise and sticking to the burbs of New Haven?
Sunflowers 66... I would love to trade info :-)

usmcfamily · 02-25-2009, 10:48 AM

Do you mind me asking what is the draw to New Haven? New Haven has issues and people with a mil to spend and want good schools do not buy there. I am not talking about the suburbs, I am talking about the city itself. If top schools are your priority, with your budget you can afford very, very nice towns with tons of amenities. Fairfield, Madison, and Westport are all on the water, have great schools, upscale, tons of stuff for kids. Very beautiful and expensive towns! You may even be able to find something in Greenwich.

KH02 · 02-25-2009, 10:54 AM

He must be one hell of a karate instructor for you to be able to afford a million dollar house.... since my friend is a medical assistant and they dont make much at all.

anyhow i agree with PP, clinton, westport, madison, and maybe even greenwich (though the house would be small)

Slipperman · 02-25-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayCT

You do not indicate what you do for a living or the need for employment. That may help in determining where would be best to live for you.

Since you want to be near the water, I would consider the shoreline towns east of New Haven. They are great family towns with excellent schools and have good access to the beaches of Long Island Sound. Consider Branford, Guilforrd and Madison, plus Clinton and Westbrook. The only real problem with these towns is that there is limited major mall shopping, so you will have to travel a bit for bigger selections. But these do have all of the major stores for food and basic needs. I hope this helps. Jay

should have gone a little further east.. my home town Uncasville/Montville are on the water and Montville is well known for it's excellent schools. just another option if job commute is not an issue. even then Montville is not that far from Rt 2 in case a commute to Hartford is necessary. it was about 45-50 min ride when i did it.

heather121 · 02-25-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slipperman

should have gone a little further east.. my home town Uncasville/Montville are on the water and Montville is well known for it's excellent schools. just another option if job commute is not an issue. even then Montville is not that far from Rt 2 in case a commute to Hartford is necessary. it was about 45-50 min ride when i did it.

Uncasville is not on the water, it's on Thames River...I doubt that is the kind of water the OP is looking for.