[lasttimewemove]

Jviello: thank you for the recommendations. I will research. We do want to be on the water though, and it might be a little far. We actually prefer to live on a pond/river, with ocean access within 20 minutes, so I will look to see the pond action there. thanks!

Wavehunter: wow, thanks for the great maps. Yes, looks like a lot more sun than previous places, especially Portland! In the dunes, and Vancouver we live in tiny microclimates that get more sun thankfully. Zone 7 is great for gardening...i hear i will have to amend the soil till no end however to get a good start there. My husband will be very interested in the water temps, as he surfs. I don't think he has researched breaks yet. I am guessing by your name you might be in the know? would love some info for him how far a drive to the best break from Branford, say. So Branford? ok i will look into it. Any of these areas mentioned have newer community centers for kids activities? Thanks for all the wonderful info...really appreciate it!

[kidyankee764]

The best waves near CT will be at Misquamicut Beach just over the CT border in Westerly, RI. From Branford/Guilford/Madison, I'd say approximately 50 miles or an hour. You can also catch some great waves along Long Island's south shore but that's quite a drive.

[lasttimewemove]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

The best waves near CT will be at Misquamicut Beach just over the CT border in Westerly, RI. From Branford/Guilford/Madison, I'd say approximately 50 miles or an hour. You can also catch some great waves along Long Island's south shore but that's quite a drive.

ah...copy that. thanks. will add these to the massive googlemap as points of interest! Wish they had a little surfing icon...they have a skier, why not a surfer? right? thank you.

[lasttimewemove]

by the way, in relation to this stretch we are concentrating on (Guilford Branford Old Lyme etc), where would be the closest larger music venue? Stadium or arena that often gets the national touring acts?

[JayCT]

It sounds like you should be looking more toward the Hartford area. Though inland, you can still get to beaches within 60 to 90 minutes and Bradley Airport is very convenient. Most major concerts come to Hartford either to the Meadows, the XL Center or Rentchler Field. Many also come to the casinos (Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun). You could be at some of the best skiing on the east coast in under two hours, as well as New York of Boston. It is a great area. There are many lakes and rivers around the area to live on or near.

As for schools, keep in mind that Connecticut has what is considered to be among the best public education systems in the country. I think you need to concentration on the general location first (Hartford, New Haven, coastline, etc.) and then select the community in that area that best fits your needs. There are many towns that fit your requirements all over the state. Jay

[lasttimewemove]

Originally Posted by JayCT

It sounds like you should be looking more toward the Hartford area. Though inland, you can still get to beaches within 60 to 90 minutes and Bradley Airport is very convenient. Most major concerts come to Hartford either to the Meadows, the XL Center or Rentchler Field. Many also come to the casinos (Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun). You could be at some of the best skiing on the east coast in under two hours, as well as New York of Boston. It is a great area. There are many lakes and rivers around the area to live on or near.

As for schools, keep in mind that Connecticut has what is considered to be among the best public education systems in the country. I think you need to concentration on the general location first (Hartford, New Haven, coastline, etc.) and then select the community in that area that best fits your needs. There are many towns that fit your requirements all over the state. Jay

Thanks Jay, I read another thread you responded to with a family looking for a community within reasonable commute to NYC and the towns of Weston, Ridgefield, Westport popped up. Do you think these towns might fit my criteria? One area a better fit than the other for us? I think the other poster is in a similar situation to us, with kids, and budget. But he needs to be within drive to NYC and we really don't (although it wouldn't be a bad thing!) So it piqued my interest for our needs. thanks.

[Appias]

I would recommend Ridgefield. It will not meet your ocean requirements. Not sure about downhill skiing either. Perhaps someone with more knowledge could chime in? But for $650,000 you could buy a nice but not fancy house there. It is an expensive town, but it has lakes and the lots are large (though around the lakes area the lots can be very steep). The schools are excellent and the community has a quiet but artistic flavor. It is right on the border with NY which has trains into the NYC.
I think you will not find a great build up of bike parks/skate parks but you will certainly find an active lifestyle there. You will also find an attractive and charming town.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by lasttimewemove

Jviello: thank you for the recommendations. I will research. We do want to be on the water though, and it might be a little far. We actually prefer to live on a pond/river, with ocean access within 20 minutes, so I will look to see the pond action there. thanks!

No problem...you're welcome. As for ponds and rivers, it's funny you say that because thinking more about it, the lower CT River Valley also comes to mind. It's almost idealic, story book, this can't be surreal type of towns and scenery. Essex, Chester, Deep River and Ivoryton are on the CT river, and a few miles from the ocean, the Goodspeed Opera House and Gillette Castle and East Haddam up the road a few miles etc.

You'll also have the small city of Middletown to the North (Nice small city with an alive main street, high quality restaurants and a small ivy league school to keep it "fresh" ), New Haven to the West, Hartford a bit further north (35 minutes?) and the Southeast shore at your doorstep.

Here are a few images of Chester main street alone...all towns mentioned are just as shutter worthy.





Some Winter pics as we don't see to many showcasing the beauty of Winter in New England.









Connecticut River Valley Tourism - CT River Valley & Connecticut Shoreline Region Travel Tourism Visitor Information Guide

Originally Posted by lasttimewemove

by the way, in relation to this stretch we are concentrating on (Guilford Branford Old Lyme etc), where would be the closest larger music venue? Stadium or arena that often gets the national touring acts?

Hartford or the casinos. Keep in mind when we say "casinos" we are not talking about a ticky tacky river boat. We have the two largest casino's in the world here in CT. Yes, world. People see Vegas and think "no way", but it's "yes way". They attract national acts and as JayCT hit on, Hartford has the larger venues. Remember, (I know I keep saying it but it's easy to forget) Hartford is really only 30-45 minutes from the shoreline depending on your start point. And of course there is the occasional day trip to NYC for whatever you want.

Originally Posted by lasttimewemove

Thanks Jay, I read another thread you responded to with a family looking for a community within reasonable commute to NYC and the towns of Weston, Ridgefield, Westport popped up. Do you think these towns might fit my criteria? One area a better fit than the other for us? I think the other poster is in a similar situation to us, with kids, and budget. But he needs to be within drive to NYC and we really don't (although it wouldn't be a bad thing!) So it piqued my interest for our needs. thanks.

650K will get you a starter home. That's about it in a nutshell.

Originally Posted by Appias

I would recommend Ridgefield. It will not meet your ocean requirements. Not sure about downhill skiing either. Perhaps someone with more knowledge could chime in? But for $650,000 you could buy a nice but not fancy house there. It is an expensive town, but it has lakes and the lots are large (though around the lakes area the lots can be very steep). The schools are excellent and the community has a quiet but artistic flavor. It is right on the border with NY which has trains into the NYC.
I think you will not find a great build up of bike parks/skate parks but you will certainly find an active lifestyle there. You will also find an attractive and charming town.

Ridgefield? On their budget and "wants?" I love the town, but Ridgefield would be almost 2 hours to the open shore, and 650K doesn't get you much these days.

[Appias]

True Ridgefield is a ways from the open ocean. But it does have lakes and isn't to far from LI Sound. I did a search on realtor.com with the parameters of 4+ bedrooms, 2+ baths and 1+ acres in Ridgefield with a max price of $650k and found 16 listings. Some nice, well kept, attractive houses in the lot. So, yes I think on their budget they can afford Ridgefield. And it seems to fit a lot of their criteria does it not?

[LeavingDetroit]

WaveHunter: I found your posting very interesting. My husband and I (with our 2 kids, 10 and 7) are also in the process of gearing up for a move. I have job prospects in Boston and San Francisco - San Jose area. My hubby is very affected by weather and by lack of sunlight. We currently live in the Detroit area and it is gray outside more often than not. I lived in Boston (a million years ago now) and recall the winters being slightly milder than Detroit but definitely sunnier. Just south of San Francisco and going down to San Jose I understand it can be quite a bit sunnier, warmer than San Francisco itself. Any thoughts on this?

Also, LastTimeWeMove - I'm jealous that you have the freedom to move practically anywhere in the U.S. within striking distance of an airport without worrying about job location. It must be a daunting but exciting process for you. I can tell you with certainty that Detroit and this area overall are depressing and do not offer many opportunities. You can buy an awesome house for a fraction of the cost of what it would be on either coast though and being near family can be a big plus with the kids.