[Connaught]

We seek a very small but vibrant town with an active economy and services.

For example, we would absolutely love to live in Chester, CT but it is over an hour from work in Shelton. We consider Chester a perfect small town. Art, shops, restaurants, plenty nearby but still quiet and safe.

Advice?

We have never even been to the Shelton area!

Thanks!

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Very difficult criteria. Maybe Roxbury? However, it isn't exactly close to Shelton.

[Stylo]

Maybe Newtown? Orange? Trumbull? They are bigger in land size, but have a woody, quiet feel to them but offer some shopping and restaurants. It's tough, because the vast majority of small towns in CT aren't exactly vibrant.

I think you should take a drive around the area first. You may even be able to find what you want in Shelton itself.

[JayCT]

You do not indicate if you are buying or renting, your price range and what you expect to get for your price. That information will help.

Chester is really a tourist town which you will not really find in the Shelton area. If you don't mind a larger town check into Milford, Fairfield or Westport. They have nice downtowns with restaurants and shops. Also check Seymour which has a couple of antique shops downtown that are interesting. Shelton itself has some things downtown and the Huntington Green has some shops but it is not like Chester. Jay

[Connaught]

Originally Posted by JayCT

You do not indicate if you are buying or renting, your price range and what you expect to get for your price. That information will help.

Sort of immaterial at this juncture.

We are looking for a small rural town with shops, restaurants, art galleries, a farmers market and a good artsy feel.

Small is key. Seymour seems to big for us.

Thanks for the ideas!

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Connaught

Sort of immaterial at this juncture.

We are looking for a small rural town with shops, restaurants, art galleries, a farmers market and a good artsy feel.

Small is key. Seymour seems to big for us.

Thanks for the ideas!

Woodbury. You'd have a 35-45 minute commute, but it sounds like what you want.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by Connaught

Sort of immaterial at this juncture.

It's not immaterial, because some areas are more expensive than others.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Woodbury. You'd have a 35-45 minute commute, but it sounds like what you want.

I was going to suggest it as well, until i realized how small Chester actually is.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Connaught

Sort of immaterial at this juncture.

We are looking for a small rural town with shops, restaurants, art galleries, a farmers market and a good artsy feel.

Small is key. Seymour seems to big for us.

Thanks for the ideas!

Well if Seymour is too big then you are going to have to go further inland. I would suggest Litchfield. It is stunningly beautiful like Chester with some small shops on a beautiful town green. Lots of interesting things to do. It would be about 45 to 60 minutes to Shelton. There are other small towns in Litchfield County that may also fill your needs but Litchfield itself would be closest. Jay

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by andthentherewere3

It's not immaterial, because some areas are more expensive than others.

Yes, Westport, which JayCT suggested is not just more expensive, but for many PROHIBITIVELY expensive.