[JayCT]

I think you see planned comunities in other parts of the country because their communities are so large and tned to be built in unincorporated areas. It is also to provide the services needed for a large community (security, water, sewage, etc.) and to protect investments with the establishment of Homeowners Associations. Connecticut does not have unicorporated areas and the services needed are provided by the towns. Also we do not really have a need for HOA's here. Personally I dislike the whole idea but maybe if we lived in another part of the country I would change my mind. Jay

[whome224]

There is one in Fairfield, though it is a rarity to find such a community.

[arizcats13]

Do you have the name of the Fairfield community?

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by whome224

There is one in Fairfield, though it is a rarity to find such a community.

There is? Other than condo's, I do not know of any. You have a few private neighborhoods like The Ridge or areas where there are associations like Lake Hills. I am not aware of any that are like the OP described. Jay

[whome224]

The Ridge has a pool, a tennis court, and a clubhouse. Although the homes are custom built and not planned, it may be what the OP is looking for. The lots are all 2+ acres.

[usmcfamily]

Originally Posted by whome224

The Ridge has a pool, a tennis court, and a clubhouse. Although the homes are custom built and not planned, it may be what the OP is looking for. The lots are all 2+ acres.

Isn't that located in Greenfield Hills? JayCt may have more info, but my guess is that those homes are well over 1 mill.

I have to agree, beautiful neighborhood

[JayCT]

I would not call The Ridge a planned community and it is certainly not what the OP described. It is a private gated community that has large multi-million dollar homes (mansions really) on multiple acre lots. There may be some common facilities. I know there is a guardhouse at the entrance. Not sure about the pool and tennis courts but many of the homes have their own.

This development was built on the original Pepperidge Farm which was a large estate (not the country farm that the company would have you believe in their advertisements) owned by the Rudkin family. Henry Rudkin was a wealthy Wall Street broker. His wife, Margaret Rudkin founded the company Pepperridge Farm there in the 1930's when she started making whole wheat breads in the kitchen of the manor house they built in 1928 (she had servants to help). She started selling the breads to local stores and then started manufacturing it in Norwalk. Before long it became a major company that was bought by Campbell Soup. Jay

[whome224]

Jay,

There are definitely common facilities at The Ridge. I wouldn't, however, classify a 4,000 sq ft home that needs updating (there are quite a few of those there; some bigger) a "mansion". The OP didn't specify a price point, which would be helpful, but this community is just that -- a community.

[JayCT]

I have not seen any homes in The Ridge under 5,000 s.f.. Most are well over that. The definition of a mansion is subjective, so I while you may not classify them as such, others would. I certainly would not classify them as McMansions either.

Except for the original mansion and its out-buildings, none of the homes are over 20 years old (most are much newer), so I doubt "quite a few" require updating. In fact there is new construction for sale there right now. Jay

[whome224]

The homes as you enter tend to be smaller. While there is a new construction, that is the exception rather than the rule. The homes were built beginning in 1985. Some, therefore, are older than 20 years old. Likewise, there is also a property for sale that is less than 4000 square feet. It, too, needs updating. And by updating I do not mean electrical work, etc... I am talking about countertops, appliances (yes, some have appliances from '85!), dated cabinets. Things people who live in pricey homes shouldn't have to deal with.

I must say, the location and the homes are beautiful.