[Brian5555]

Everything I've read about Stamford indicates that the cost of living in the city and around it is pretty high. I received a call about a job in Stamford and am hesitant to take it because I'm not sure if I can afford the cost of living. I would be moving from a rural area in NC.

After taking into consideration taxes, student loan payments, and most of my fixed expenses, I wouldn't feel comfortable with renting anything for more than $1400 per month. I need a two bedroom apartment with a reasonable, e.g. 45mins to an 1 hr or less commute, in a safe area. Most of the two bedrooms I've found near Stamford are in the 1700 and above range. My girlfriend will be moving with me, as a recent graduate she will be searching for jobs. However, until she is able to find one, we will be relying on my salary and whatever she can earn part time at a bar or restaurant.

I've been researching this online, but am facing a time constraint, so I figured I would ask for some first hand experience.

Thanks in advance for any advice or information

[JayCT]

Finding a 2 bedroom apartment in a safe area near Stamford for $1400 may be difficult. You might need to look further out in say Norwalk or Bridgeport and then commute in. You might also check Milford or even New Haven. Jay

[jdhall1]

You can find a pretty ok 2 bedroom up in Danbury for that much

[pulpfiction]

Agreed on Danbury. You can get a pretty decent place in a newer-construction complex in Danbury with your budget.

Stamford and all those other towns on the coast are ridiculously overpriced.

Considering youre from a rural town, I would doubt you'd want to live in Stamford--it's a congested, mega-expensive mess with virtually no open-space whatsoever.

The commute would be about an hour via 84/684/287/95 (this is very indirect..but moves pretty well since route 7 to norwalk, the direct path, is a mess, and then 95 south to your office would be even worse).

Originally Posted by jdhall1

You can find a pretty ok 2 bedroom up in Danbury for that much

[Brian5555]

Thanks for the info guys!

[Bluefly]

Why don't you just stay in a 1 bedroom with your girlfriend? There's a reason people in big cities live together early on in relationships and it's usually to save on rent. Good luck!

[Antonio84]

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

Considering youre from a rural town, I would doubt you'd want to live in Stamford--it's a congested, mega-expensive mess with virtually no open-space whatsoever.

Whoa!

Hold on, let's put the brakes for a moment.

Stamford may be many things, but 'a congested mega-expensive mess with virtually no open-space whatsoever' is not one of them.

The congestion is temporary during rush hours, mostly limited to downtown. Other than that, the traffic is fine. It flows as it should, you get to where you're going in the allotted time, its not a big deal.

The 'mega-expensive' part is true, it is expensive; but the 'mess with virtually no open-space' is not true. First of all, its not a mess. I find the city to be very well designed, minus a few very specific places that could use a complete redesign, some of them are already in that process.

Plus, there are plenty of open spaces in the urban, suburban, and exurban parts of the municipality. The downtown area is sprinkled with nice little parks. South of I-95 there are five large and very green seaside parks, three of them with beaches; all of them with a different ambiance (for some reason each park attracts different types of people). In the rest of the city you'll find plenty of parks. In the areas that might be a little out of the way, there is always a public school of some sort in the vicinity with large green spaces that anyone can use outside school hours. In general, the more urban parts of town have more parks than the more suburban/exurban parts, but it makes sense. Suburban/exurban residents tend to be homeowners with a nice backyard while the rest live in more urban living arrangements. But all in all, the city has plenty of open green space.

Plus, the city is made for young people. The downtown area (Summer St-Bedford St-Atlantic St-Columbus Park areas) are filled with nice restaurants and cafes with a gastronomy that spans the globe. Tucked here and there are some trendy bars, and even a few good nightclubs. The shopping is quite good, with a nice variety of stores targeting different income levels. During the summer months the city hosts the Live @ Five concerts at Columbus Park, which is the most lively and nicest thing to happen within a good 10-mile radius. The summer evenings are very nice, especially in the downtown area. The parks that dot downtown are filled with people of all sorts, chatting, playing, enjoying life. The restaurants and bars are filled with some of the most beautiful people anywhere. The city is definitely alive and kicking.

And the best part? Its as safe as a city can be. In fact, this city is among the top 10 safest places in the entire US.

Come on folks, let's not exaggerate things.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

Considering youre from a rural town, I would doubt you'd want to live in Stamford--it's a congested, mega-expensive mess with virtually no open-space whatsoever.

I'll give you the "mega-expensive" but the congestion doesn't go much north of downtown in Stamford (unless it's rush hour up near the Merritt). Regarding open space - sounds like you need to take a trip to North Stamford. If you're going by only what you saw downtown once or twice (which, IMO, is impressive for such a small city), then I can see how you came to your conclusion.

OP- I'm probably not much older than you and I think Stamford is a perfect place for someone your age. Lots of young people, very dynamic, walkable areas, a small leap from Manhattan. It's just very expensive (it seems like the only other place that has higher rents than the Stamford area is NYC itself). If you're moving with your girlfriend, why not just look at 1br apartments? It would be a little cheaper. Just a suggestion.

Originally Posted by Antonio84

Come on folks, let's not exaggerate things.

I couldn't agree more.

[7 Wishes]

I mostly agree with Antonio and kidyankee, but at least with I-95 (and sometimes the Merritt Pkwy) there is congestion outside of rush hour. It's not all the time and it's not on the scale of Manhattan, but it is one of the most traffic congested parts of the area.

[andthentherewere3]

The OP doesn't state he wants a rural location, so perhaps the congestion and lack of open space in Stamford wouldn't bother him. But finding something safe in that price range would be very difficult. The OP might have to consider a one bedroom apt., or try Norwalk or Danbury as suggested, although they are cities, too. Finding something rural in southern Fairfield County in that price range would be extremely difficult. The OP might look into Milford or Stratford, prices are a little lower there.