[cottercutie]

DH is interviewing for a job in Greenwich this week. If he takes it we would eventually relocate from LI to the "mainland" of CT or NY.

Ideally, we would like him to be no more than 1 hour commute to the job. We are open to areas, but right now budget would be 250-300K for purchase (3br home, livable condition), safe neighborhood, decent school (we are a family of 4, 2 kids under 5), and a tax rate that is half of LI's (so around 5K or less/yr).

Prior to him accepting a job, we want to make sure this is a viable option. What areas of CT should we be looking at?

[kidyankee764]

250-300k is stretching it. In the Stamford/Greenwich area, homes are many times that.

In CT, your best bet is Stratford IMO. You should be able to find a livable, 3br home for 300k there. The commute won't be fun, however, unless you can take the train.

[cottercutie]

Thanks!

I don't think train is possible, but most of the commuting would be done off peak. Is it better to come down to that area from the north or come in from the east/west?

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by cottercutie

Thanks!

I don't think train is possible, but most of the commuting would be done off peak. Is it better to come down to that area from the north or come in from the east/west?

If you're commuting off peak, then you should be okay. 95 south is a mess from 6:30-9ish in the morning, and north is a mess from 4-6:30ish. If you came in from the west, you'll be living in either Greenwich or Westchester County, neither of which are in your price range. From the north, you're looking at Westchester County or the Danbury/Bethel area, which is quite a haul from Greenwich.

If you're commuting off-peak, look at Stratford. You might even be able to find something in Milford nowadays too. If you don't mind a condo, look at Fairfield (though 300k might be tough).

[Stylo]

I would consider Milford, Stratford, and Bethel. In that order.

[JayCT]

In that price range you can get a modest but decent home in Fairfield. That would be about as close as you can get to Greenwich. Fairfield is a great town with excellent schools and a lot of nice amenities (stores, restaurants, parks, beaches, etc.). The entire town is safe so you do not have to worry about where in town you live. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

In that price range you can get a modest but decent home in Fairfield. That would be about as close as you can get to Greenwich. Fairfield is a great town with excellent schools and a lot of nice amenities (stores, restaurants, parks, beaches, etc.). The entire town is safe so you do not have to worry about where in town you live. Jay

Wow. I just looked and you can get a 3 bedroom ranch in Fairfield for under 270k!

In that case, I'd see if I could find something in Fairfield. If not, I'd look at Milford, then Stratford.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Wow. I just looked and you can get a 3 bedroom ranch in Fairfield for under 270k!

In that case, I'd see if I could find something in Fairfield. If not, I'd look at Milford, then Stratford.

Yes, there are modest capes and ranches mostly on the east side of town that are under $300,000. The lots may not be big and the house may be older and need some minor updating but it is a great town that has a lot to offer. Jay

[cottercutie]

DH would be commuting from Long Island for at least 6 months, so an hour would be a reduction in commuting for him. LOL

I got clarification, the job is actually Stamford, occasional commutes to Greenwich and Monroe.

We will may look to rent at first, so I will look into Fairfield and Stratford and Milford. Are there areas of Stratford/Milford to avoid?

How about Bethel? I notice that is close to Danbury, is that a good area to look as well?

How are taxes in CT? It's insane here on LI between property and sales taxes. Our electric bill here is ginormous as well. How are CT's prices with that? I was shocked when I moved to LI from MA to see the high electricity costs.

[cottercutie]

One more question, here on LI, RE agents charge the tenant a fee of about 1 months rent for a rental property, plus may have to pay for credit check etc. Some are moving towards charging a % of the yearly rent as their fee, to be paid by us UGH. How does this work in CT? Do they charge fees like LI/NY agents do?