[MikefromCT]

As I'm sure everybody knows lower FFC is known as the Gold Coast because of its affluence, and many people commute to New York City from here. But in several of these towns (like Fairfield and Westport, even New Canaan) you can still find starter homes like split levels and cape houses that are below the median house price.

I was browsing at real estate sites online and actually saw a few houses like this. Yes, they're still very expensive (as in a split level in FCC can go for $700,000), and yes the property taxes are still obscene. But I'm wondering if there was ever a time, like when these smaller houses were built, if there was more of a middle-class feel to these towns. I mean, most people when they hear Fairfield County they usually think of Greenwich since it's the closest town to NYC and most of the houses there are estates, whereas in other towns they have this as well but you can still find other, smaller homes that went up in the 1950s and 60s when towns developed into bedroom communities. Were these areas always expensive as they are now? Does anyone know this area well?

[andthentherewere3]

We have some relatives that bought a small home in New Canaan on over five acres for $30k, back in the 1950's. They were actually hesitant to do so, because back then New Canaan was considered "the country" and they feared it might be a bad investment long-term. But of course it was a good investment, and there were already several wealthy residents living in New Canaan. Still, up until the 70's or so, there was still a large number of middle-class families. After that property values soared.

[kidyankee764]

My late grandparents purchased a house in New Canaan many decades ago, and it was recently sold for about 25x the price they paid. But even back then, lower FFC was still pricier than your average suburb.

[brattpowered]

When the baby boomers were coming up you could graduate from high school, find a factory job or low-level government job, and buy a newer home in places like Springdale and Glenbrook in Stamford, Noroton Heights in Darien, and even Byram in Greenwich. Times have changed.

[68vette]

In the early sixties my grandmother bought several lots in Easton and built a few homes. I can't recall the price she paid, but it was very cheap. Like another post mentioned, it was considered the country. People weren't leaving NYC or looking to live in Ct and working in the city. In the lower section of Easton, the government built inexpensive ranch houses the were sold at cheap prices to returning GI's after WW2. My great uncle bought one and I think he paid less than $5000.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

As I'm sure everybody knows lower FFC is known as the Gold Coast because of its affluence, and many people commute to New York City from here. But in several of these towns (like Fairfield and Westport, even New Canaan) you can still find starter homes like split levels and cape houses that are below the median house price.

I was browsing at real estate sites online and actually saw a few houses like this. Yes, they're still very expensive (as in a split level in FCC can go for $700,000), and yes the property taxes are still obscene. But I'm wondering if there was ever a time, like when these smaller houses were built, if there was more of a middle-class feel to these towns. I mean, most people when they hear Fairfield County they usually think of Greenwich since it's the closest town to NYC and most of the houses there are estates, whereas in other towns they have this as well but you can still find other, smaller homes that went up in the 1950s and 60s when towns developed into bedroom communities. Were these areas always expensive as they are now? Does anyone know this area well?

In short, yes. FFC was affordable to many.

Anyone remember the show Green Acres? It makes CT seem like the boon docks.


YouTube - Green Acres Feb 9 1966 part one

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by 68vette

In the early sixties my grandmother bought several lots in Easton and built a few homes. I can't recall the price she paid, but it was very cheap. Like another post mentioned, it was considered the country. People weren't leaving NYC or looking to live in Ct and working in the city. In the lower section of Easton, the government built inexpensive ranch houses the were sold at cheap prices to returning GI's after WW2. My great uncle bought one and I think he paid less than $5000.

Inexpensive government built ranches in Easton??? I know the town pretty well and have no idea where this is. Jay

[JayCT]

I wrote a post on this yesterday but for some reason it did not get posted. Anyway, to answer the OP, Fairfield County has always enjoyed a prosperous existence. It location near major cities, well protected ports and rich farmland made it very desirable for industry and farming. Cities such as Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford and Danbury were powerhouses during the industrial revolution and created their own wealth. This allowed the area to develop attractively which further encourage wealthy New Yorkers to come and settle here (first with "country" homes and then as commuting suburbs). Jay

[68vette]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Inexpensive government built ranches in Easton??? I know the town pretty well and have no idea where this is. Jay

There weren't a large number built. Most didn't have basements if not all. There were a few on Sport Hill Rd and several on Chester Rd. The homes were built a year or two after the war. A freind of mine growing up lived in one of the homes his grandparents owned. If you look at any of the homes now you would never know their previous existence. I believe a few have been torn down for bigger homes.

[krdpm]

My parents bought their aprox. 1400 sq ft split level on a quarter acre lot in 1967 for $29,000, in Greenwich, and that was the more expensive model in the neighborhood. I think the raised ranch option was a few thousand less. My father was a school teacher.