Help with deciding between NJ and CT suburbs (Stratford, Fairfield: real estate, for rent)

[Kathy69]

Hi,

I am so glad I found this site. I have spent the last week or so just lurking and reading the various threads and I still am a bit confused on the best options for commuting to 452 5TH Ave, NY. I will be relocating after Christmas for a new role.

So far it seems like my best options will be either CT or NJ, the problem I have is where?

I do not know anything about the East Coast so I really need your help please.

My profile is:
I currently live in Guildford, Surrey (a suburb in the UK) with a 1hr commute to London for work. I am originally from Forth Worth, Texas.

I am a 40 year old, with a 2 year old son, so one of my top priorities is an area with really good schools.

I am willing to commute up to 1 - 1.5 hours by train door to door.

Since I am a single mom I would really like an area that is quiet, quite safe and very little crime. My plan is to rent in the area I decide on first then buy. We will be looking for a 2 bed townhouse (preferably) or condo under $500,00 in the next year or so. I am willing to pay up to $2200 for rent until we buy.

A colleague of mine mentioned Hobokken NJ, but the posts I have read seem to say that it is a town for a younger crowd. Our other options seem to be Stamford or Greenwich CT, but I am not so sure of the commute to 5TH Ave.

I am really looking forward to hearing your ideas about other suburbs in NJ that are commutable to NY.

I posted this in the CT forum as well to get some input.

Please help. Your input will be much appreciated.

Kindest Regards,
Kathleen

[Viralmd]

Have you looked at the NY Times real estate listings? Because Greenwich isn't a very realistic choice for you, given your budget. From NJ, you'll arrive on the West side - not a HUGE deal, because you're working on Fifth Avenue, so it won't be like having to walk to First Avenue, but living in either Westchester or Connecticut will get you to Grand Central, closer to your work.

Just a thought...

[davenj08]

you might want to consider NJ - springfield, newport/grove street part of jersey city, cranford, westfield, short hills, etc. they are all within 90 mins door-to-door from 42nd/5th. stamford & greenwich are way more expensive than any of the NJ suburbs mentioned above.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by davenj08

you might want to consider NJ - springfield, newport/grove street part of jersey city, cranford, westfield, short hills, etc. they are all within 90 mins door-to-door from 42nd/5th. stamford & greenwich are way more expensive than any of the NJ suburbs mentioned above.

Stamford isn't more expensive than NJ - especially when you factor in the NJ real estate taxes, which are so much more than they are in Connecticut.

[davenj08]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

Stamford isn't more expensive than NJ - especially when you factor in the NJ real estate taxes, which are so much more than they are in Connecticut.

umm..i doubt that. it is not only the cost of renting/housing but also the cost of groceries, gas, etc.

[clevedark]

Grand Central makes the commute much more civilized and it's closer to fifth ave. I vote for CT. I'm sure you can find a nice place with decent schools.

Using NJ Transit and Penn Station is awful. The actual commute to Penn might be short, but you'll likely be standing (depending on where you board). And Penn Station needs a lot more tracks to handle all the traffic--a big renovation is long overdue.

Getting home is hell on earth. You'll stand there in the bowels of Penn Station every night with ten thousand other anxious commuters trying to figure out which track to run to so you can get a seat.

I wish I could give you more info on good towns in CT for you, but my territory is NJ.

Good luck!

[Kathy69]

Hi Everybody,

Thank you so very much for your replies. You have been extremely helpful.

I think I'm going to consider CT over NJ, especially for a more pleasant train ride into GC and the proximity to the office. CT also passes all my check for good schools, leafy suburbs and cheaper property taxes too (didn't realize that NJ taxes would be more expensive than CT).


Thank you again and again for all your valuable input.

--Kathleen.

[SmokeyLisa]

Hi Kathy69,

I did the commute from CT and NJ to 452 5th Ave. I agree with the earlier post that the commute is less stressful from CT and getting to 452 is much easier from Grand Central than Penn Station. As far as real estate, both NJ and CT are expensive. You have extremely wealthy suburbs in South Eastern CT so depending on the size and expectations of the townhouse condos, you will probably have to go further north than Greenwich.

Below is from memory but it should be pretty accurate. I chose towns on or close to the rail system. You would probably have a 5 -10 minute walk from Grand Central (only a few blocks)

Most of these towns are some of the richest in the US. All should be safe unless noted. I'm not sure of the availability of townhomes or condos in anytown except for Stamford which has all sort of housing.

45 - 60 minute train ride depending on express or local
Greenwich - Great schools, really expensive commute is ~ same as Stamford because of more stops
New Canaan - Great Schools, really expensive - I believe David Letterman lives there to put it in perspective.
Stamford - decent schools, nice downtown if you want to go out for a drink, much less expensive then the surrounding towns except Norwalk. I have heard that some areas of Stamford near the sound and the railroad aren't the best. Public transportation if you need it. Make sure parking is available if you choose Stamford.
Darien - Great schools, nice town center, very expensive
Norwalk - Decent Schools, nice area and a nice downtown if you want to go out for a drink. They also have a nice aquarium that I'm sure your 2 year old would love.


60 - 90 minutes
-Fairfield - Good school system. More affordable than most of the other towns.
-Westport - Expensive, Very Nice Area. Good Schools.
-Bridgeport - Inexpensive, some sections are nice but in general not where I would live or send my kids to school.
-Stratford - Reasonable, okay shools, safe.
-Milford - Reasonable, okay schools, safe.
-New Haven - I actually like New Haven, great restaurant and a fun town however I would not live there but a good place to visit.

My guess would be Stamford, Norwalk and Fairfield as being the best places for townhomes and condos.

[clevedark]

I know Kathy69 didn't ask about Westchester, but what about White Plains or New Rochelle? Those train lines go through Grand Central, don't they? They seem like the kinds of towns that would have plenty of condos and townhouses, singles parents, etc. Good for a commuting single parent. You don't want to be the only one in town, which I could see happening in, say, Darien or New Canaan.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by clevedark

I know Kathy69 didn't ask about Westchester, but what about White Plains or New Rochelle? Those train lines go through Grand Central, don't they? They seem like the kinds of towns that would have plenty of condos and townhouses, singles parents, etc. Good for a commuting single parent. You don't want to be the only one in town, which I could see happening in, say, Darien or New Canaan.

There really aren't many affordable condos in WP and hardly any condos or townhouses in New Rochelle. There are TONS of single parents in Darien and New Canaan, but the homes (no townhouses or condos) there, like Scarsdale, are $1MM and up....