[rhinaculas]

I am a physician working in the Bronx and my wife just got a really good job in Manchester, CT. What would be a good middle point to live in which would enable both of us to have a decent commute by train or car? Both of us love open spaces and would prefer to live close to parks/nature trails. I would really appreciate an answer.

[glxyman21]

I'd say something along the I-84 corridor..starting closer to NYC would be Brookfield, then Newtown, Southbury, Middlebury, and Southington are all nice towns and give or take, depending, OK commutes to both areas. Depends who is willing to commute the longest.

[mels]

If driving, Milford would put you in the middle. It would be about an hour (plus a few minutes) to either the Bronx or Manchester. If you would be working traditional hours (the 9 to 5) in the Bronx then I strongly advise not driving. The Metro North train runs from New Haven into the city with many CT stations, check out their website for specifics. I am not sure where in the Bronx you are going, but Metro North stops at 125th St. then Grand Central. I am thinking you would probably get off at 125th and pick up the subway.

Manchester would be a decent ride from Milford. Traffic isn't bad until you hit Hartford (say 91 north Exit 27 or so) and even that is hit or miss. Once you skirt by the city you are going east, which is going against traffic.

[jeremeyk482]

Originally Posted by rhinaculas

I am a physician working in the Bronx and my wife just got a really good job in Manchester, CT. What would be a good middle point to live in which would enable both of us to have a decent commute by train or car? Both of us love open spaces and would prefer to live close to parks/nature trails. I would really appreciate an answer.

I would actually suggest the Naugatuck Valley area & vicinity. Nice towns surrounding the Naugatuck Valley are Bethany, Woodbridge, and Oxford. Anywhere North of that is getting closer to Manchester and further from the Bronx. Say you lived in Oxford, you'd both have about an hour commute (give or take). They're long commutes, but doable.

Oxford is well-known for open spaces. The town is suburban, but strict zoning regulations prevent it from becoming too crowded. There are many hiking trails in Kettletown State Park and Southford Falls State Park, and from what I've noticed, people there are very friendly. It's your average upper-middle class town.

To get into the city, you would have to drive to the train station (probably Fairfield or Bridgeport, about 20 minutes away depending on what part of town you live in). You can take Metro-North out of neighboring Seymour, but you'd have to switch trains in Bridgeport and that can be a hassle. To Manchester from Oxford, you'd take Route 188 through Oxford to I-84 in Southbury and exit to exit, it should not be more than an hour.

If you have kids, the town just built a brand new high school.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[JViello]

Do NOT move anywhere that will take you on I84 through Hartford for a commute from points West or South. You will hate your life.

Anywhere that I91 connects to or RT15 is a safe bet. I-91 pretty much bypasses traffic in Hartford to get to Manchester with the "flyover" bridge. 84 on the West side of Hartford clogs pretty good, and then you have to get through Waterbury as well which is another "rush hour".

If you don't mind a short commute to a train station, Hamden or Orange would work for you. It will be about 45min-1 hour to Manchester and 15ish to the train station in the Milford area for yourself.

[jeremeyk482]

Originally Posted by JViello

Do NOT move anywhere that will take you on I84 through Hartford for a commute from points West or South. You will hate your life.

Anywhere that I91 connects to or RT15 is a safe bet. I-91 pretty much bypasses traffic in Hartford to get to Manchester with the "flyover" bridge. 84 on the West side of Hartford clogs pretty good, and then you have to get through Waterbury as well which is another "rush hour".

If you don't mind a short commute to a train station, Hamden or Orange would work for you. It will be about 45min-1 hour to Manchester and 15ish to the train station in the Milford area for yourself.

I don't really think he has a choice. Even living in Hamden or Orange, he still has a commute from the southwest.

If you want to avoid I84 through Hartford, from Oxford/Woodbridge/Bethany you can take Route 15 to 91, or 84 to 691 to 91 over the bridge which avoids going right through Hartford.

Also, if you live in Hamden and catch the train in Milford, that's a 2 hour each way commute to NYC. Nasty.

[VLYS]

I would look at the towns of Berlin
or Branford....not sure.

APTA: Connecticut Transit Links


My son went to Fordham U.
He would take Metro North in New Haven to the
university.
On the wkends my husband would pick him up
at the train station or he'd transfer by bus to
Manchester.

[Whalehead]

Why not consider a move to CT as well? There are many hospitals and I'm sure you could find work at one, or join an existing practice. It's be an upgrade in your life. (My wife lived in Parckchester, I attended Manhattan College). I know a little bit about the Bronx. The commute is going to be a bear for you if we have inclement weather.

[JayCT]

Definitely keep along the Merritt/Wilbur Cross parkway corridor. I-95 is a nightmare around New Haven and will be for the next 10 years or so as ConnDOT rebuilds the Q Bridge and it's approaches (basically all of I-95 from West Haven to East Haven including the I-91 ionterchange). The parkway is much more driveable.

Milford is about the half way point, but you would have the more difficult commute having to go through Stamford. Traffic into Stamford in the morning is brutal and even worse in the evening. If you work off hours as some in the medical profession do, it may not be as bad. Your wife would have to deal with a little traffic around Hartford (basically I-91 in Wethersfield) but that shouldn't be too bad. Milford is nice small city with a lot of housing options. It also has beaches and parks but is not rural in character at all. More suburban. Hope this helps, Jay

[Johnny CT]

Shore Line East/Commuter Rail Service Between New Haven and New London

There is a commuter train between New London and New Haven with connecting service to Metro-North. You should also be aware that the state is currently constructing a commuter train that will run from New Haven to Hartford but it won't be completed until 2010.