[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Wandering Star

I've never really understood why people are so high on the Trumbull/Newtown/Monroe area. I lived in Trumbull for over a year and the town is so disjointed and has what amounts to a huge parking lot with a few stores surrounding it as its "downtown area". The downtown area is not aesthetically pleasing at all. For a town of 35,000 people, it is sorely lacking in many areas.

I suppose it's a decent place to raise a family - neighborhoods are nice, schools are good, and there are some nice recreational areas like Indian Ledge Park and the Rails to Trails thingy off of Whitney Ave. But it's sooo boring - no where to shop, except for the Mall on the Bridgeport line, which stinks IMO, and only a handful of options for dining. (And what is the deal with Marissa's? Why are locals so obsessed with that place?)
Furthermore, the whole tri-town area feels kind of "backwoodsy" to me, especially driving up rt. 25 into Monroe and Newtown. The commerical building stock along the way are dated and kinda crappy looking. Again, not what I'd expect for towns with such good reputations.

Perhaps I'm a bit spoiled after moving to Avon recently. Avon is half the size of Trumbull, but has tons of dining options, great places to shop (too bad Bangle and Clutch is closing), fabulous rec areas, and just looks nicer overall. The commerical buildings in Avon look so much nice and refined, very inviting. (take the 51 east plaza for example, or the nearby Old Avon Village)

I don't mean to slam Trumbull, it just didn't even come close to expectations for me. Any thoughts? Preferably from someone who has spent a good amount of time in both the Avon/Farmington/Simsbury area as well as the Trumbull/Newtown/Monroe area.

I don't think Newtown and Monroe are any more "backwoodsy" than Avon. Avon is pretty isolated IMO.

[Wandering Star]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I don't think Newtown and Monroe are any more "backwoodsy" than Avon. Avon is pretty isolated IMO.

No doubt Avon is somewhat isolated, given that a major obstacle separates it from West Hartford/Hartford. The people who live here actually see that as a good thing. But I wasn't referring to isolation when I mentioned a backwoods type feel.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Wandering Star

No doubt Avon is somewhat isolated, given that a major obstacle separates it from West Hartford/Hartford. The people who live here actually see that as a good thing. But I wasn't referring to isolation when I mentioned a backwoods type feel.

Ahh, I see. I guess people in Newtown and Monroe are hicks then?

How I love the "new" posters in this forum.

[Wandering Star]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Ahh, I see. I guess people in Newtown and Monroe are hicks then?

How I love the "new" posters in this forum.

No. Go back and read my original post. The reason for the backwoods feel was the building stock. As I said, they were very dated and run down looking, aka not aesthetically pleasing.

Sorry you got so offended, I know you're just trying to defend your county.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Wandering Star

No. Go back and read my original post. The reason for the backwoods feel was the building stock. As I said, they were very dated and run down looking, aka not aesthetically pleasing.

Sorry you got so offended, I know you're just trying to defend your county.

I'm not offended - I've never lived in any of the three towns. Just don't like first time posters who rant about how awful a certain area is.

[Yankeerose00]

I understand how one can feel offended by negative comments but honestly, when I was looking to move to CT, I found negative comments just as helpful as the positive ones. I realized that I would have to see and experience a town for myself to form my own opinion, but it was still very helpful to hear the good with the bad.
I live in Avon now and I love it. I don't feel isolated at all. I mean, isolated from what? Strip malls? West Hartford is wonderful but I don't mind that it's over the mountain. It takes me exactly 15 minutes to get there. I can take 10 south and be on I-84 in 10 minutes. So while I don't agree that it feels isolated, I can see how others would feel that way and it was something I definitely took into consideration before moving here.
Of course this is all JMO, but there's a difference between someone slamming a town and someone just pointing out the good with the bad.
I stay off the Florida boards, because I don't have one nice thing to say about that state. Nothing. So I'm sure if I posted my opinion on how I liked living there, they would think I was a troll, that's how awful it was for me.
As far as these lists, they are pretty hit and miss. I really hope that nobody ever bases a move on these yearly lists. I agree with the CT towns this year though for the 3 I know, Simsbury, East Lyme and Tolland. Even Somers seemed beautiful when I drove through. I don't know anything about the other two though.

[hfpuggirl]

My little town of Cromwell is a "contender" for best place to live!!

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Wandering Star

I've never really understood why people are so high on the Trumbull/Newtown/Monroe area. I lived in Trumbull for over a year and the town is so disjointed and has what amounts to a huge parking lot with a few stores surrounding it as its "downtown area". The downtown area is not aesthetically pleasing at all. For a town of 35,000 people, it is sorely lacking in many areas.

I suppose it's a decent place to raise a family - neighborhoods are nice, schools are good, and there are some nice recreational areas like Indian Ledge Park and the Rails to Trails thingy off of Whitney Ave. But it's sooo boring - no where to shop, except for the Mall on the Bridgeport line, which stinks IMO, and only a handful of options for dining. (And what is the deal with Marissa's? Why are locals so obsessed with that place?)
Furthermore, the whole tri-town area feels kind of "backwoodsy" to me, especially driving up rt. 25 into Monroe and Newtown. The commerical building stock along the way are dated and kinda crappy looking. Again, not what I'd expect for towns with such good reputations.

Perhaps I'm a bit spoiled after moving to Avon recently. Avon is half the size of Trumbull, but has tons of dining options, great places to shop (too bad Bangle and Clutch is closing), fabulous rec areas, and just looks nicer overall. The commerical buildings in Avon look so much nice and refined, very inviting. (take the 51 east plaza for example, or the nearby Old Avon Village)

I don't mean to slam Trumbull, it just didn't even come close to expectations for me. Any thoughts? Preferably from someone who has spent a good amount of time in both the Avon/Farmington/Simsbury area as well as the Trumbull/Newtown/Monroe area.

I do not think you can compare Trumbull to Avon. Avon is the wealthiest suburb of Hartford. Trumbull is middle class suburb more in line with say Farmington or Rocky Hill. Trumbull is a classic suburb with basically 1/2 and 1 acre zoning and was built mostly in the 1950's and 1960's, so it reflects the aesthetics of that era. Avon is much newer and much more upscale so what you may dislike is the style of development. I agree that Trumbull is a bit bland but it is not shabby. It is also not "backwoodsy" at all IMHO. I do know what you mean about limited dinning options in Trumbull too. I think many travel to nearby communities (like Fairfield and Westport) to eat at more interesting places. Places like Marissa's are basic and not the upscale fine dinning you see in the Farmington Valley. They do reflect the more middle class community it is.

As for the mall in Trumbull, believe it or not there was a time when it was considered to be the premier shopping destination in southern Connecticut. It was built in the early 1960's before there were any other malls and was not designed well because they really had few examples to work from. The current owners have done nothing to make it a interesting place to shop which is too bad. They are more interested in getting the most return on their investment as quickly as possible. Very sad. Jay

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Wandering Star

I've never really understood why people are so high on the Trumbull/Newtown/Monroe area. (And what is the deal with ____ Why are locals so obsessed with that place?)

Monroe and Newton are really nice, IMHO. But i agree with you about Trumbull though. As far as ____ goes, perhaps these people should actually take a look at the silverware that they're eating with, and take a look at the walls in the dining room. Absolutely disgusting the two times that i've been there. Does Trumbull conduct inspections or what?

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Trumbull is a classic suburb with basically 1/2 and 1 acre zoning and was built mostly in the 1950's and 1960's, so it reflects the aesthetics of that era.

Actually, the homes in the many neighborhoods all along Rt. 111 in Trumbull, around Church Hill Rd., and near the Merritt, are on small lots. Look at a map, it's a huge area, probably half of Trumbull. They certainly aren't 1/2 or one acre lots, much smaller.

I just did a Raveis search for properties of all lot sizes in Trumbull, and there are currently 74 homes for sale. I then did a search of all homes over 1/2 acre for sale, and there are currently only 32. Homes with larger lots are mostly in the Tashua, Long Hills, or Nichols area.