[minymom]

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. Raising our SFH budget to 700K, commute to 30-35 min(in traffic) and sticking to CT towns, would that expand our choices in Greenwich, Darien and New Canaan? IOW, where are we going to get the most out of 700K budget and meeting our school and commute requirements? We are looking also in Westchester County in towns like Armonk, Rye, Chappaqua, etc..

[kidyankee764]

$700K will get you a modest, perhaps starter home in Greenwich, New Canaan and Darien. Check out Realtor.com.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by minymom

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. Raising our SFH budget to 700K, commute to 30-35 min(in traffic) and sticking to CT towns, would that expand our choices in Greenwich, Darien and New Canaan? IOW, where are we going to get the most out of 700K budget and meeting our school and commute requirements? We are looking also in Westchester County in towns like Armonk, Rye, Chappaqua, etc..

In traffic that is going to limit you to Greenwich, Darien and New Canaan. That is about it for a 35 minute commute to Purchase. If you are comparing Connecticut towns to Westchester towns, be sure to factor in taxes. Connecticut taxes are usually abit lower so you can stretch your housing budget a bit further (meaning more of your monthly payment could go to a bit higher mortgage and less to taxes). Jay

[minymom]

took a look online at homes for sale and the taxes are much lower in CT! At least compare to the crazy rates in Scardsdale, Rye, etc..That is certainly a big consideration to live in Fairfield County vs. Westchester.

My husband was wondering how the traffic conditions would be from the commute from Darien or New Canaan during the typical commute times? ie: 7/7:30 am going into towards Purchase and 6/6:30 back to CT? Our experience with 95 hasn't been great thus far with a road trip from NJ to MA and I believe that was during the day. Darien seems to have 95 going right through it and I am wondering how affects the local traffic of the town? What about New Canaan? How is the Merritt Pkwy during peak hours?

[JayCT]

There is a lot of traffic going into Stamford in the morning on both I-95 and the Merritt Parkway. It can be slow but once you get past the second exits in Stamford, it will be clear until you get into Westchester. Locals however know their way around some of this though so depending on where you live it might not be bad. You might post a question on the Westchester board for information on traffic around Purchase. Jay