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Hello, I am new to City Data and this is my first post; I've been reading through a lot of the previous posts here and I have gathered a lot of great info so far....so thanks everyone for all of your input and posts!
My husband and I are planning to move from our Boston suburb home down to a NYC suburb of CT in the next year or so. Our budget will be approx $500k and we are fine with a smaller home (such as 1500 SF) and/or fixer-uppers on a level lot so that we could add an addition in time, etc. *Having at least .25 acres is important to us. We don't have kids yet, but schools will also be a high priority to us as we'd like to start a family soon.
Several years ago, we lived in North Jersey for approx 5 years and my husband commuted into NYC. We moved up to Boston for a job opp, but in the end we both know that NYC is the best place for his career and we are planning to move back...this time we are hoping to move to CT and raise our family here. It is the midway point between my husband's family in MA and my family in NJ.
My husband is willing to sacrifice having a longer commute (1.5 hrs each way is the preferred max, though) if we can get more land/house as result. We know we are way below the price range of towns like Greenwich, Westport, Darien, etc.
So far Fairfield is our top choice as I've read so much here about the great schools, family oriented towns, etc....and the commute seems to be 1.5 hours or less. I've even found a good number of homes in our price range that I'm very interested in. However, I've also read excellent things about Trumbull - specifically the schools. It seems like homes are a tad less expensive in Trumbull vs. Fairfield, too. I've read about the high taxes in Trumbull, but they aren't too shocking to us, since again, we came from NJ and are used to high property taxes. Is it possible to commute to NYC (Grand Central) from Trumbull in 1.5 hours or is that unrealistic?
Based on the commute (1.5 hrs each way or less to NYC), our home budget ($500k for smaller/1500 SF home on min .25 acres) in a family-oriented town w/ excellent schools - which would you suggest - Fairfield or Trumbull???? Thanks in advance!!!
You'll definitely have a better commute from Fairfield, and a bit more home for your money in Trumbull. Trumbull taxes are a bit higher. Fairfield has more going on - more restaurants, shops, etc. Trumbull is a solid town to live in though.
If you're going to consider Trumbull for a commute, you might also want to look at Milford. Good schools (not as well rated as Fairfield though - elementary schools are good, high school is about average for CT) and you'll get more for your money in the north end as far as square footage and lot for $500,000 than both Fairfield and Trumbull. Your commute will be around the same as Trumbull if you're near the train station, factoring in driving. The train ride from Milford is about 80 minutes vs. 70 minutes from Fairfield. You'll eat up that 10 minutes driving into Fairfield from Trumbull easily, and then some.
I don't have any other suggestions for that budget. Shelton would be nice, but might be a little less convenient of a commute - but you do get a lot of house for your money, and the taxes are low and schools are pretty good.
It all depends on your tolerance of the commute, and how much house you want for your money.
Honestly, even a Fairfield --> NYC commute would get old quickly.
I know people that commute from Newtown and Brookfield to NYC and have for years. Everyone has different tolerances. I don't think I could do it.
If you want to buy in CT, work in NYC, and have a budget of $500k - you really don't have much of a choice unless you're willing to buy a condo or sacrifice good schools.
I know people that commute from Newtown and Brookfield to NYC and have for years. Everyone has different tolerances. I don't think I could do it.
If you want to buy in CT, work in NYC, and have a budget of $500k - you really don't have much of a choice unless you're willing to buy a condo or sacrifice good schools.
That's why I was going to suggest the OP look at Jersey or upper Westchester. I lived in Cos Cob 10 years ago and made the commute to One Liberty Plaza. Even if I worked near GCT, it's a b*tch of a commute.
Depending on where the OP would live in Milford, they'd have to drive to the station. They're looking at 90+ minutes of commuting - one way.
That's why I was going to suggest the OP look at Jersey or upper Westchester. I lived in Cos Cob 10 years ago and made the commute to One Liberty Plaza. Even if I worked near GCT, it's a b*tch of a commute.
Depending on where the OP would live in Milford, they'd have to drive to the station. They're looking at 90+ minutes of commuting - one way.
Newtown/Brookfield to NYC?
Trumbull or Milford is going to be 90 minutes each way. Fairfield ~75-80. Either way it's a bad commute.
Trumbull or Milford is going to be 90 minutes each way. Fairfield ~75-80. Either way it's a bad commute.
I mean door to door. The train from Fairfield to GCT is ~75. Factor in driving to/parking at the station, and walking/subway to your office. Yeah - 90+ minutes easily. Trumbull and Milford more than likely 1hr 45.
I mean door to door. The train from Fairfield to GCT is ~75. Factor in driving to/parking at the station, and walking/subway to your office. Yeah - 90+ minutes easily. Trumbull and Milford more than likely 1hr 45.
Some of you are babies. I hate commuting, and I commute from Fairfield to Wall St. everyday. It's perfectly doable. 6:43 from Fairfield station, gets into GCT at 7:55 and I'm at my office by 8:10. Trumbull is another story entirely. No thanks.
Thanks for the replies. Yes, we have accepted the fact that we will have a long commute within our budget. My husband has commuted easily over 1.5 hours each way from where we used to live in North Jersey for 5 years and we know the drill. He can handle it - he just doesn't want to go far above 1.5 hours each way. From what I've read, Fairfield's commute is within our ideal commute (1.5 hours or less each way) but Trumbull might be pushing it, it looks like. Thanks again for the input so far.
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