[stewart77]

We love NYC, but our two year old is very active and needs some more space to run around in. We were originally looking in Westchester, but some friends persuaded us to consider CT (taxes, more property, etc.). My husband works in Englewood, NJ, which is why we hesitate looking in CT. We want to make sure he can be home for dinner, so the commute is the real issue. Our friends are in Wilton, which sounds great, but may be too far from the office. Greenwich is the front runner, but we are open to suggestions.

Main concerns are:
great public schools (no pressure cookers though)
pre-war homes (or at least in the style of)
space between houses for privacy
town with great restaurants and places to spend time

We are looking to find a pre-war home on around two acres with four to five bedrooms.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by stewart77

We love NYC, but our two year old is very active and needs some more space to run around in. We were originally looking in Westchester, but some friends persuaded us to consider CT (taxes, more property, etc.). My husband works in Englewood, NJ, which is why we hesitate looking in CT. We want to make sure he can be home for dinner, so the commute is the real issue. Our friends are in Wilton, which sounds great, but may be too far from the office. Greenwich is the front runner, but we are open to suggestions.

Main concerns are:
great public schools (no pressure cookers though)
pre-war homes (or at least in the style of)
space between houses for privacy
town with great restaurants and places to spend time

We are looking to find a pre-war home on around two acres with four to five bedrooms.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!

The only other town I would consider is Darien. If you're looking for prewar houses, maybe New Canaan would fit too. Both have excellent schools.

[toddb]

Originally Posted by stewart77

We love NYC, but our two year old is very active and needs some more space to run around in. We were originally looking in Westchester, but some friends persuaded us to consider CT (taxes, more property, etc.). My husband works in Englewood, NJ, which is why we hesitate looking in CT. We want to make sure he can be home for dinner, so the commute is the real issue. Our friends are in Wilton, which sounds great, but may be too far from the office. Greenwich is the front runner, but we are open to suggestions.

Main concerns are:
great public schools (no pressure cookers though)
pre-war homes (or at least in the style of)
space between houses for privacy
town with great restaurants and places to spend time

We are looking to find a pre-war home on around two acres with four to five bedrooms.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!

It all depends on your budget. 2 acres with 4-5 br in greenwich can run you well into the 7 figures.

The schools in Greenwich are excellent - in fact, most of the schools in Ffld county along the shore line are really good. Yes - some are rated better than others, but they are still a good education.

With the commute to Englewood, you could sit in a huge amount of traffic depending on the time you left the house. And, coming home at night would be a bear any time between 3 and 7. It's a little lighter summer times M-Th because of school being out (Fri you have tons of shore traffic starting at 1 or even earlier).

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by stewart77

We love NYC, but our two year old is very active and needs some more space to run around in. We were originally looking in Westchester, but some friends persuaded us to consider CT (taxes, more property, etc.). My husband works in Englewood, NJ, which is why we hesitate looking in CT. We want to make sure he can be home for dinner, so the commute is the real issue. Our friends are in Wilton, which sounds great, but may be too far from the office. Greenwich is the front runner, but we are open to suggestions.

Main concerns are:
great public schools (no pressure cookers though)
pre-war homes (or at least in the style of)
space between houses for privacy
town with great restaurants and places to spend time

We are looking to find a pre-war home on around two acres with four to five bedrooms.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!

As mentioned, we really need the budget to be able to help. Greenwich is extremely expensive for what you ask for--but if the budget is there, it is a fantastic choice--although schools are better in the smaller towns. New Canaan, Darien, and Westport can be considered if the price is not a huge concern.
If price is a concern, try looking at Redding or Easton--less expensive than the mentioned towns, but allow for large lots and super amounts of privacy. These aren't "inexpensive" areas by ANY means, but less expensive than Darien, New Canaan, Greenwich, etc.

[ambarstone]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

As mentioned, we really need the budget to be able to help. Greenwich is extremely expensive for what you ask for--but if the budget is there, it is a fantastic choice--although schools are better in the smaller towns. New Canaan, Darien, and Westport can be considered if the price is not a huge concern.
If price is a concern, try looking at Redding or Easton--less expensive than the mentioned towns, but allow for large lots and super amounts of privacy. These aren't "inexpensive" areas by ANY means, but less expensive than Darien, New Canaan, Greenwich, etc.

____
I think Easton would be a really bad commute to NJ.

[stewart77]

Thank you for your replies. The budget is not the main concern. We are willing to foot the bill for the schools, aesthetics and quality of life. Is it easier, traffic wise, to NOT live on 95? I know nothing about travel in CT.

Thanks.

[JayCT]

Why aren't you looking in northern New Jersey? The commute through Westchester and over one of the bridges would be brutal. There are many great towns that are just as nice as Wilton. Not sure what you are looking for but Ridgewood is stunning with excellent schools. Neighboring Glen Rock is a little more affordable but nearly as charming. I also happen to like some of the northern Bergen towns like Ramsey and Allendale. I would ask about towns to consider over on the New Jersey board. Jay

[stewart77]

I appreciate the NJ suggestion. Several people have said the same thing. Having wide and easy access to the Metro-North is too important to us since we have many friends and family in Manhattan. So, NJ is not a state we are willing to consider. Thank you though.

[LINative]

Originally Posted by stewart77

I appreciate the NJ suggestion. Several people have said the same thing. Having wide and easy access to the Metro-North is too important to us since we have many friends and family in Manhattan. So, NJ is not a state we are willing to consider. Thank you though.

Stewart, I think in your first post you mentioned your husband works in Englewood and the commute is the real issue. Would not daily traveling to work 5 days a week in Englewood be even more important than easy access to Metro-North for friends and family? You might want to look into NJ transit (which also goes to Manhattan) before you totally give up on New Jersey so soon. Although I do not blame you for wanting to go north!

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by stewart77

I appreciate the NJ suggestion. Several people have said the same thing. Having wide and easy access to the Metro-North is too important to us since we have many friends and family in Manhattan. So, NJ is not a state we are willing to consider. Thank you though.

Actually access to Manhattan is very good from northern New Jersey and it is much closer than CT. Jay