[StarsHollow]

We're likely moving to the New Haven area this summer and are searching for the right area for us. We'll have incoming 5th and 2nd graders, and very strong schools are important to us -- preferably the kind of schools that really teach kids in interesting ways and will challenge bright kids, but not the kind that are obsessive about college prep. A town/neighborhood with a strong progressive/liberal political atmosphere would be great, and a reasonable representation of academically-minded families. Diversity, community spirit, and the ability to walk to interesting places would be the icing on the cake. We'd love to be able to get a 3BR for $400,000 or less. My husband will be commuting to Yale, and he would appreciate an easy commute.

I've read a lot of the threads here and found them very helpful -- thanks -- and I realize there's not going to be one place that fits all the criteria. The Hooker school district in East Rock has a lot of appeal, but I don't know that we could find something comfortably sized in our price range there. Shoreline towns like Branford and Guilford are cute, but I worry about the commute (and flooding risks). There's a part of me that yearns for Connecticut woods and rocky hills, too, and some real yard space for the kids, but I don't want to live in a super-white bread town and be the least-rich family in town. Is Woodbridge very Republican? I grew up in Darien and know the Fairfield County towns pretty well, but I'm at lost trying to identify the subtle differences among New Haven towns. Are some more liberal than others? Is there a center of eco-consciousness?

Thanks for any advice.

[nico7]

In my opinion, your best options are the shoreline towns. The commuter train into New Haven is convenient, peaceful, and scenic. Yale runs shuttle buses from the train station to destinations all over campus. On the shoreline, flooding is a concern only in very low-lying areas. These shoreline towns occupy much more land than the immediate coastline, so you really only need to assess that risk on a property-by-property basis. For $400k, you probably wouldn't be buying anything very close to the water, unless it was a tidal river (yes, do watch out for those).

Politically, I would guess that Madison, Orange, Woodbridge, and maybe Durham are the most conservative towns around New Haven. Branford, Guilford, and Hamden are probably on the more liberal side. But the differences are not stark, and there have been changes over time (e.g., 2004 to 2008 presidential vote).

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

I think that in NH county, Milford would be your best bet for a shoreline town. However, it's not what i'd describe as politically liberal, nor is it very diverse.

Therefore, i'd actually have to suggest that you take a look at North Stratford, which is in FF county. The town as a whole has split political allegiances. One party doesn't dominate the political scene. The level of diversity is the highest of any town in the county. The schools overall are decent. The North End elementary schools that serve residents in your price bracket(Chapel and Eli Whitney), are considered the highest performing in town. Your districted middle/high schools, Flood Middle and Bunnell High, would rate as at least average. You will have a decent amount of land(.33+), without the concern of flooding also. The commute to Yale would be much easier than it would be if you were living east of New Haven. Good luck.

[StarsHollow]

Thank you both for the answers.

Is the problem with the commute from east of NH the limited service on Shoreline East plus the imminent bridge construction on 95? I like the look of those towns, but I do worry about the commuting time and headaches.

What happens as you go north or northwest out of New Haven? What is the commute in going to be like from there? Side roads? Is there any kind of public transportation in?

[JayCT]

I-91 generally bogs down with traffic from Exit 8 to I-95 in the morning. The closer to I-95 you get the slower traffic moves.

If you feel Shoreline East train service is too limited, why not consider moving west of the city to Milford as Stratford CT Resident suggested. Milford is a great town with very good schools and the train service into New Haven is among the best you will find in this country.

you might also consider towns immediately adjacent to New Haven like Orange, Woodbridge or Hamden. From these towns your husband could generally avoid getting on the highway all together. Jay

[StarsHollow]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I-91 generally bogs down with traffic from Exit 8 to I-95 in the morning. The closer to I-95 you get the slower traffic moves.

If you feel Shoreline East train service is too limited, why not consider moving west of the city to Milford as Stratford CT Resident suggested. Milford is a great town with very good schools and the train service into New Haven is among the best you will find in this country.

you might also consider towns immediately adjacent to New Haven like Orange, Woodbridge or Hamden. From these towns your husband could generally avoid getting on the highway all together. Jay

I think we'll definitely take a good look at Milford (as well as the others) when we go down. I particularly like the sound of the community events going on. Is Milford going to feel similar to a place like Norwalk, do you think (if you know it)? I'm trying to get a sense for how these New Haven towns fit together based on what I know about the Stamford area towns, but maybe the analogy just isn't there.

[Seattle's Best 28]

You can go off more into the country since you want land and look into Oxford and Monroe. The towns are nice places with great schools and an EASY commute into New Haven! Traditional towns with minimum property zones.

I live in Hamden and I think it is expensive for what the town offers (mediocre schools).

[JayCT]

Stamford is kind of different from most metropolitan areas because it is an urban center that is surrounded by some of the pricest suburbs in the country.

Milford is not quite as urban as Norwalk and does not have some of the social issues that you find in Norwalk. It is smaller in population and a bit more suburban in character. It has the areas major mall and probably the best shopping in the New Haven area. Think of it more as a modest man's Greenwich or Fairfield. Jay

[StarsHollow]

Originally Posted by Seattle's Best 28

You can go off more into the country since you want land and look into Oxford and Monroe. The towns are nice places with great schools and an EASY commute into New Haven! Traditional towns with minimum property zones.

I live in Hamden and I think it is expensive for what the town offers (mediocre schools).

They may be a little too far for our taste, but I'd like to take a look at them. Does either have a meaningful town center? The available real estate seems saturated with recent construction. Is that pretty typical?

[StarsHollow]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Stamford is kind of different from most metropolitan areas because it is an urban center that is surrounded by some of the pricest suburbs in the country.

Milford is not quite as urban as Norwalk and does not have some of the social issues that you find in Norwalk. It is smaller in population and a bit more suburban in character. It has the areas major mall and probably the best shopping in the New Haven area. Think of it more as a modest man's Greenwich or Fairfield. Jay

Thanks, Jay. By best shopping are you talking box stores, or does it also have interesting independents?

I see that there's a Whole Foods opening in Milford later this year, which would be useful to us. Anyone know about any good non-WF natural food stores in the New Haven area? Any good CSAs?