[NatashaZ]

When I lived out west, there was a farm that would deliver a box of seasonal fruits and veggies once or twice a month to your doorstep for $20. You got the food, emptied the box, put it outside your front door, they'd come back for the box, refill, etc etc. Are there any farms/markets in Norwalk that offer the same service?

Other than that, what are the best places to shop for food? Best quality and service, selection, and price?

What are some local businesses to stay away from? Anything notorious for bad customer service?

What neighborhoods are less safe? Which are the most pleasant?

Any excellent thrift/2nd hand stores worth visiting?

Lastly, we need furniture. Any recommendations for what stores to visit in the area that offer a decent selection for very cheap?

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by NatashaZ

When I lived out west, there was a farm that would deliver a box of seasonal fruits and veggies once or twice a month to your doorstep for $20. You got the food, emptied the box, put it outside your front door, they'd come back for the box, refill, etc etc. Are there any farms/markets in Norwalk that offer the same service?

Other than that, what are the best places to shop for food? Best quality and service, selection, and price?

What are some local businesses to stay away from? Anything notorious for bad customer service?

What neighborhoods are less safe? Which are the most pleasant?

Any excellent thrift/2nd hand stores worth visiting?

Lastly, we need furniture. Any recommendations for what stores to visit in the area that offer a decent selection for very cheap?

1. The only place I know that does a weekly produce selection is Robert Treat Farm in Milford. I don't know if they deliver, scroll down: Robert Treat Farm. Authentic Family Farm Market and Garden Center. Milford Connecticut (http://www.roberttreatfarm.com/OurFarm.html - broken link)
2. Depends on what you want. Whole Foods in Westport on the Norwalk border, or Trader Joe's in Westport are good. Fresh Market in Westport also isn't bad. There are major grocery stores in Norwalk. The Shop Rite has a good ethnic selection. I don't think there's a Big Y in the area, I was a fan of them when I lived near Bethel. Balducci's in Westport and Villa Gourmet in Milford are 2 "gourmet" shops. Villarina's in Westport for fresh pasta and Italian supplies.
3. I know that if you go to Chocopologie for lunch, you'll wait half your life to be served.
4. Stay away from the area around and south of the South Norwalk Train Station. That's generally the worst neighborhood. Around the hospital can be a little dumpy too. The best neighborhoods are probably West Norwalk, Rowayton and the Cranbury area. East Norwalk and the northern section near New Canaan and Wilton have some really nice area.
5. Not sure of thrift stores other than Goodwill. New Haven has some really cool thrift stores.
6. Ikea in New Haven. Nuff said.

[JayCT]

You should check out Stew Leonards which is an interesting large scale dairy/meat/produce/specialty food store in Norwalk. It is not necessarily cheap but it is generally good quality for the price. Plus it can be a fun trip. The major supermarkets in Connecticut are Stop & Shop and Shoprite. They both have stores in Norwalk. Also note that Stop & Shop offers a delivery service called Peapod which is pretty good. Not sure if Shoprite offers this too since these are independently operated.

IKEA in New Haven is good but there is also Bob's Furniture which is a discount furniture store chain in Connecticut and now the northeast. Some of their furniture is okay and some is cheap and their delivery service is not as great as they claim but it is an option. Jay

[kidyankee764]

IKEA is okay - just get ready to spend a few hours putting it together. As for Bob's, their furniture is a little shoddy IMO.

I'd suggest you make the trek up to Milford and check out Pilgrim. Good quality and decent prices.

[Stylo]

Bob's is hit or miss. The 2 sofa's I've bought from them have been excellent, and their Bob-O-Pedic mattresses are great. They don't actually make any furniture, it's from many different sources.

My friend's dad works in the fabric industry and recognized the brand of one of the sofa's and said it was a good quality product. German brand, don't recall the name at the moment. Began with a K.

Either way, Pilgrim is also good, but a bit more expensive than Bob's. A good trip would be Milford/Orange on Route 1, there are tons of furniture stores along that road.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

4. Stay away from the area around and south of the South Norwalk Train Station. That's generally the worst neighborhood. Around the hospital can be a little dumpy too. The best neighborhoods are probably West Norwalk, Rowayton and the Cranbury area. East Norwalk and the northern section near New Canaan and Wilton have some really nice area.

I will add the Silvermine area of Norwalk as one of the best areas, too.

As for furniture, we've never had anything from Bob's that lasted more than a year. I think it's just a matter of getting lucky with them.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by andthentherewere3

I will add the Silvermine area of Norwalk as one of the best areas, too.

Yep, nice area.

[Currency Pair Crocodile]

Norwalk (Silvermine) CT Real Estate Listings: 154 SILVERMINE AVE (MLS # 98500550)

Would this be considered the Silvermine area?

[Tin Knocker]

Originally Posted by Antlered Chamataka

Norwalk (Silvermine) CT Real Estate Listings: 154 SILVERMINE AVE (MLS # 98500550)

Would this be considered the Silvermine area?

Yup.

[Currency Pair Crocodile]

Originally Posted by Tin Knocker

Yup.

So would it safe to assume that the popular verdict is that the area is nice, lot of attractions, very crime free and peaceful?

If I look to buy in this area, it could screw up my commute to the city though