[arizcats13]

I'd like to know if there are any "planned" communities in Monroe. For example, those communities that feature pools, tennis courts, community center, etc.
My wife and I are having a baby and would like a more tight-knit community to meet other young families. Suggestions? Even those in other towns?
Thanks

[MetsNY]

As far as I know there are not alot of planned communties at all in Connecticut.

Personally, I don't like the idea and I think most people in Connecticut feel the same way.

However, to answer your question Northbrook is a very nice condominium complex that offers tennis courts, pools, etc.

Also, I think Great Oak Farms does as well. But that's about it in Monroe as far as I belive.

[jdhall1]

There are a couple of condominium communities in Monroe, Northbrook & the Hills of Monroe.

[arizcats13]

Thanks, but to clarify we're looking for homes. Curiosity... why the dislike? I'm from CT and grew up in a "non" planned community and it was great. But living in TX now there are tons of the "planned" variety and they seem great for young families... especially with us moving back from out of state.
Thanks!

[seymourct]

I don't think the whole planned idea will ever take off too well here. There simply isn't that much open land to start one, and people do not really want to have to check with a homeowner association to move/alter plantings in the yard or change the color of their house. Most people around here also have their own pool.

[andthentherewere3]

Great Oak Farm in Monroe is a close, tight-knit community, with planned activities. They do not have community pool etc, but it borders Wolfe Park and Great Hollow Lake which does have tennis, pool, playgrounds, basketball, hiking, fishing, and a lake with a nice beach. Actual planned communities with homes are not very common around here.

Great Oak Farm

Looking at the pictures of Great Oak Farm on that website, I will say it's rather misleading. Most of the homes are on much smaller lots, which may or may not appeal to you.

[nish2006]

[QUOTE Looking at the pictures of Great Oak Farm on that website, I will say it's rather misleading. Most of the homes are on much smaller lots, which may or may not appeal to you.[/quote]

Very true. We looked at three homes in Great Oak Farm while househunting in early 2007. While each home had a lot of good features, the plot sizes & location made us lose interest - most kitchens overlooked neighbors' backyards and the level of privacy was very low, with large parts of surrounding homes visible, even during the daytime.

[usmcfamily]

Originally Posted by arizcats13

I'd like to know if there are any "planned" communities in Monroe. For example, those communities that feature pools, tennis courts, community center, etc.
My wife and I are having a baby and would like a more tight-knit community to meet other young families. Suggestions? Even those in other towns?
Thanks

Hi! Great Oak Farm is a wonderful young community. Very tight night! I joined a Bunko group that started there 7 years ago of new women moving into that neighborhood. GOF has social activites for all. Halloween is huge there. Tons of kids trick or treat there from all over the town. Its the only time I have ever seen the front gates close! The houses themselves are beautiful. They range in style and size.

The drawbacks (at least for me) are the tiny lots. It is cluster housing, but done very nicely. Also, the HOA is very strict. We didn't have a problem with that but we do want to put a pool in someday and pools are not allowed there.

You would be walking distance (trails) to Wolfe Park - which has 2 great playgrounds, pool, tennis courts, volleyball, soccer, baseball fields and during the summer, concerts and activities for the kids. Great Hollow Lake is walking distance (again through a trail). Very scenic, summer beach with lifeguards in the summer.

Monroe is filled with kids and meeting people through their activites won't be hard.

[arizcats13]

Thanks for your feedback. Looking at the website, it does appear as if the lots are very close together... not exactly what I was talking about. A good example would be Walden Woods in Windsor, although I doubt we'll be moving to that town. Any other suggestions for any town in Fairfield, New Haven, or Hartford Counties that are like Walden Woods?

[KH02]

Like the PP stated, these simply don't really exist in CT the only ones i know of that have pool's and tennis courts are higher end condo's NOT single family houses.
This is a more common occurrence in the south then it is up here.I dont think you'll find exactly what you're looking for.
Even with walden woods the homes are somewhat close together, and within that comples are also duplex style homes as well.