[dexters]

Since I have discovered these forums, I have spent hours researching various towns in CT, NY & NJ. They have been a huge wealth of information!

My family will be relocating from London this autumn. My husband will be working in White Plains. Our top priority is minimizing his commute. I was initially interested in some of the River towns in NY, but those taxes are killer. It seems we can get more home for our money in CT (right?).

We have two small children, one of whom will be starting kindergarten, so [public] schools are a big factor.

We like:
- Suburban areas
- want a house with a yard and trees
- community with children
- safe area
- our budget for house is $600K, max.

We are Americans who have been living in London for 2 years. We are originally from Texas, and I miss friendly people who talk to their neighbors.
I also miss warm weather, so living in the NE will be an adjustment for me!

We have found it quite difficult to meet people here, and so I am anxious to find a place with a sense of community, so to speak.

[KH02]

Greenwich, New Canaan and Darien come to mind.
They have GREAT schools and the commute to West Plains, NY would be about 25 min (greenwich) 40 min (New Canaan) and 35 min (darien)
Those commutes may change with traffic though.

600K will NOT GET YOU ALOT!!! So dont expect a large single family home with a big yard or anything. This is the most expensive part of CT. You will likely get a house that needs work in all of these areas.

Try using realtor.com.

To be honest, I think New York would be CHEAPER!!

[KH02]

I did a search online for single family houses with 3 bedrooms or more and 1.5 baths.

Greenwich - 8 houses below 600K MOST less then 1500 sq feet
Darien - About 12 houses (most closer to 600K)
New canaan - about 12 houses (most 599,900)

You could live in Stamford or Norwalk and find more affordable housing but the school systems are lacking...

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by KH02

To be honest, I think New York would be CHEAPER!!

I don't believe so: New York's state income tax percentages are higher; land owners are subject to school and land taxes; and the sales tax can be well over 9 percent depending on the jurisdiction coupled with the fax that there are fewer exclusions (clothing isn't exempt).

[jjbradleynyc]

Check out Fairfield, CT. Excellent schools and bigger house for the budget than in New Canaan, Darien, etc. Further commute for your husband, about 40 mins or so, but the city is safe, community-oriented, and has outstanding public schools. It will give you the most "bang for your buck."

If needing a much closer commute of around 15 - 20 mins, check out New Canaan, but as people have mentioned, you'll get very little for 600k there. North Stamford is another option. A gorgeous, quiet, safe area that 600k won't go that far in, but further than New Canaan. It's right next door. Schools aren't as good, but they aren't bad at the elementary level in Stamford. The HS level is not nearly as good as in the past for Stamford.

[Seattle's Best 28]

Look into Fairfield! New Yorks taxes are HIGH HIGH HIGH! STAY AWAY! LOL

Fairfield is really nice, affluent and dreamy. For six hundred, you'll get an average house on an average lot.

[andthentherewere3]

I agree with those suggesting Fairfield. It's a great suburban, family-oriented town, and large enough to have just about everything you need.

And welcome to Ct., I was an American living in London many years ago, too.

[JayCT]

If minimizing your husband's commute to White Plains is a priority then I do not think you should consider New Jersey or Rockland county New york since the commute across the Tappen Zee Bridge is difficult. I also would not consider lower Fairfield County. Towns closer to White Plains like Greenwich, Dairen and New Canaan are very pricey and the homes you will find there in your price range will not be very good. The commute from more affordable Fairfield County towns like Fairfield would be really difficult. You could check Dutchess county in New York or even some of the towns around Danbury (Bethel, Brookfield, New Fairfield). Good luck, Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

If minimizing your husband's commute to White Plains is a priority then I do not think you should consider New Jersey or Rockland county New york since the commute across the Tappen Zee Bridge is difficult. I also would not consider lower Fairfield County. Towns closer to White Plains like Greenwich, Dairen and New Canaan are very pricey and the homes you will find there in your price range will not be very good. The commute from more affordable Fairfield County towns like Fairfield would be really difficult. You could check Dutchess county in New York or even some of the towns around Danbury (Bethel, Brookfield, New Fairfield). Good luck, Jay

I agree.

It depends what you prefer: Getting more for your money and having ~ a 45 minute commute, or spending more and having a 10 minute.

[Snowman27]

Originally Posted by dexters

We are Americans who have been living in London for 2 years. We are originally from Texas, and I miss friendly people who talk to their neighbors.

Good choice posting here..you won't get that in NY. lol. I know a couple who came from London & they have a baby girl. They live in New Canaan and love the city. While it's on a main road they are close to town and everyone there is just so friendly. Merrit to White Plains, no problem.

Look into North Stamford and even West Norwalk. With that budget you can get a horse farm too. You'll get a beutiful house with a yard for under $500,000. Taxes will be near $8000. So use the $100,000 left over to pay for your taxes for the next 10 years.

I'm still impressed with my neighborhood. Everyone is so friendly and we all wave when we pass by.

Originally Posted by dexters

I also miss warm weather, so living in the NE will be an adjustment for me!

We just had 7 months of a frigid winter. So hopefully the 5 months of warmth is enough for you.