[CT356]

My spouse and I have been looking to buy in Westchester but are deflated by the property taxes. We're considering CT but we're wondering if most towns have a lengthy wait-list at the train stations? My spouse would be taking the train to Grand Central every day.

If it helps, our budget is around $750-850k. Any chance that range could land us in a nice place near a train station?

[Stylo]

Every town is different. Some have reasonable daily rates while you wait for a permit.

What kind of home do you expect at that budget? Schools? What’s the maximum train commute you’re willing to do?

[CT356]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Every town is different. Some have reasonable daily rates while you wait for a permit.

What kind of home do you expect at that budget? Schools? What’s the maximum train commute you’re willing to do?

Thanks for the info. We're looking for at least a 3 bedroom, around 2,000-2,500 square feet, preferably a contemporary style home, good schools as we have two little ones, and no more than a 45-50 min train ride would be ideal.

[RiskReturn]

Originally Posted by CT356

Thanks for the info. We're looking for at least a 3 bedroom, around 2,000-2,500 square feet, preferably a contemporary style home, good schools as we have two little ones, and no more than a 45-50 min train ride would be ideal.

Gonna have a tough time finding what you want with that last criteria. You are limited to basically Greenwich, which is the most expensive town in CT.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by CT356

Thanks for the info. We're looking for at least a 3 bedroom, around 2,000-2,500 square feet, preferably a contemporary style home, good schools as we have two little ones, and no more than a 45-50 min train ride would be ideal.

You are pretty much limited to Stamford in that case. Schools are not bad, but don’t perform as well as the much more expensive suburbs nearby.

If you can extend your commute, try Wilton or Fairfield. Fits in your budget well with top schools.

[JayCT]

Your commute time basically limits you to Greenwich or Stamford. Greenwich meets your criteria for good schools but your budget will not likely get you the size home you want. It is a very pricey town.

Stamford schools do not perform well on standardized tests. It is a large city and as such some of its students struggle. Also note that the city does bus students to achieve racial and performance standards so it may not be what you are looking for.

If you are willing to extend the commute time, I would suggest looking in Darien or New Canaan. You still will have problems finding as large a home as you want in these towns but it may be closer.

As was noted, Wilton might also be a good option. Good luck, Jay

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by CT356

My spouse and I have been looking to buy in Westchester but are deflated by the property taxes. We're considering CT but we're wondering if most towns have a lengthy wait-list at the train stations? My spouse would be taking the train to Grand Central every day.

If it helps, our budget is around $750-850k. Any chance that range could land us in a nice place near a train station?

Originally Posted by CT356

Thanks for the info. We're looking for at least a 3 bedroom, around 2,000-2,500 square feet, preferably a contemporary style home, good schools as we have two little ones, and no more than a 45-50 min train ride would be ideal.

You may also want to look in New Canaan, Westport and Darien. You won't find anything fancy, but as you are looking for a smaller house, you may find something in your price range.

[allanny13]

Noroton Heights or Glenbrook areas of Darien would be perfect for you. Most houses in these areas are walkable to the train station. Just over 50 min commute, extremely low taxes, and top-ranked school district. You won't get more than 2,000 sq feet or an updated house at that budget however, but that would be the trade-off.

[SailCT]

You would be lucky to get into the "Heights" area of Darien for that budget. Yes you can walk to that station and I did that exact commute. Your best bet is to find a realtor who actually will listen to you and they are hard to find. Cannot believe no more bar cars on the train, they made it tolerable!!!Make sure you have a great inspector though and be aware of flooding issues on streets to the west of Hoyt. We were strongly advised to never buy on Hoyt and it isn't really walkable to the NH RR anyway. That station is Noroton Heights and that area has been great but there are several construction projects going on there with both retail and residential that is going to increase the density there but that should not be too much of an issue. Schools are the best and as long as you are willing to sacrifice for that you can maybe get a small house on a small lot for that budget. The average house goes for about $1,650,000? I suggest getting one NOT a busy road as it will be hard to resell and not the best for your kids; for riding bikes and playing. There are a whole bunch of streets with smaller homes on smaller lots that are north of the RR on both sides of West Avenue, in the area west of Hollow Tree Ridge Road and south of Middlesex. It's amazing but it's a great town with low taxes, great schools, great library, great youth sports programs in soccer, lacrosse, football, baseball/softball, incredible HS sports teams,great beaches. It is a "club town" so you will have to join a club of some kind eventually. Best bet is the Middlesex Swim Club, unless you can afford the $100k entry fee to Wee Burn, LOL! They do have a working bowling alley from like 1910 and a golf course that nobody plays on ever even on the most beautiful days because most of the members are so old and frail.

[MikefromCT]

I would go with Stamford. Your budget would go further there and you would get more house for your money in that budget. You're looking at a 45-50 minute train ride via Metro North. Greenwich is closer, and does have some modest-sized houses that fall within your budget, but I get the feeling they're hard to find as there's a strong demand for what you're seeking and where. Noroton Heights is beautiful, and homes exist within your budget, but even for $850K I would not expect a house with as much square footage as you indicated. Which I'm not saying to discourage you, but based on your criteria what you're looking for will probably require time and patience given the laws of supply and demand.


Best of luck on your search!