[idrlindy]

Ok, one more time. I was leaning towards Trumbull and have been focused on finding a home there, but we just saw a very beautiful home in Huntington section of Shelton...so I'm so confused what to do.

Anyone want to tell me why I should buy a house in Huntington versus Trumbull. Clearly taxes are a big reason, Shelton keeps their taxes steady for 5 years ....Trumbulls go up like $500+ a year (on the homes we have been looking at)! And someone on this board mentioned there are plans to upgrade the Trumbull high school and other town buildings so taxes are expected to increase more and more!

What about other things the towns offer? Trumbull has no town center, right? And it has shopping but as large malls, right? What about activities for kids, concerts, etc. HELP?! Why are schools so much better in Trumbull versus Shelton? Thanks for any advice you have to share!!

[Stylo]

Trumbull has no town center. Just strip-type shopping and the mall near Bridgeport. There is a decent number of activities in Trumbull.

In Shelton, you have more of a town center feel, but shopping is a bit limited as far as big box and bigger shopping trips. But you're close to Milford, which has everything - and close to the Trumbull mall.

Trumbull's schools aren't "so much better" than Shelton's. They are rated a bit better, but not drastically so. You can't go wrong with either. Your money goes further in Shelton, as I'm sure you see, and the taxes are lower. Trumbull *might* be a better investment real estate wise.

You can look up the schools at GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community

I would personally go with the nicer home for the money in Shelton if commute is not an issue, but that's just me.

[andthentherewere3]

There are some beautiful homes in Huntington and the White Hills sections of Shelton. If I didn't have kids I would consider Shelton. Shelton is actually a small city, it's not a town like Trumbull. It is more economically diverse than Trumbull. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I think that contributes to lower performing schools. Not that Shelton has bad schools, but Shelton High in particular does not come close to Trumbull's high school. People who have sent their kids to Shelton High have complained to me about them, so I have misgivings about recommending Shelton because of the schools. But really, the schools are not terrible.

As for Shelton having a "town-center" feel, there is the small Huntington Center. Also the old downtown area of Shelton. Neither really give me a sense of a true town-center feel, though. Your shopping is still spread out throughout the city.

In addition to the Trumbull Westfield Mall, Trumbull also has a Home Depot, and the Hawley Lane Mall. Plus the movie theater. Trumbull is very family-oriented, and has a lot of town parks and recreational activities for kids. Choosing between the two is tough, it all depends on how much importance you place on schools, and whether you'd prefer a city over a town or vice-versa.

I'm sorry if this is disjointed, I have a bad cold and can't seem to concentrate today.

[JayCT]

I just looked at the Connecticut Academic Performance Test scores for Shelton and Trumbull and was surprised at what I found. As I expected Trumbull High School performed well above the state averages on the test. Shelton however, performed UNDER the state averages on three of the four areas (reading, writing, math, science). To me that says a lot.

State Department of Education - CEDaR

Shelton is somewhat of an odd town for Fairfield County. Up until the Route 8 Expressway opened in the 80's, Shelton was considered a rundown Naugatuck River Valley town. It was a town known for not spending money on its schools or amenities like parks and roads. This is unlike virtually any other town in Fairfield County which always prided itself for quality.

Once Route 8 opened, a vast amount of relatively inexpensive land opened up to lower Fairfield County so it became the site of many office and industrial parks, apartments and condos and subdivisions. Things changed and the town has been spruced up and will likely continue to. To me it is just no there yet.

The Huntington section had always been considered the nicer part of Shelton. It has some charm and some very nice homes but I do not think of it in the same league as a town like Trumbull. Ask people in Huntington where they live and they will say Huntington. If you say they live in Shelton many will get annoyed since it still kind of has a negative meaning. Jay

[Stylo]

That is surprising. I wonder much is due to economic diversity and educational gaps in parents, and how much is due to the school itself.

Not counting CAPT, it does seem my local high school - Foran - has better statistics than Shelton.

I put little weight on CAPT after going to a high school that often was in the top 10 in the state for CAPT scores. They DRILLED how to take a CAPT test and sample Q/A's for months. We didn't really learn anything from it except how to take a CAPT test. I scored in the high 90%'s.

[idrlindy]

What is it about Shelton school that people complain about?

Do you think the difference in the schools has more to do with economic diversity?

Why does Trumbull increase taxes so frequently and by such large percentages? At some point won't this make it less desireable for people looking to buy. I feel like the highly educated people I know have moved to Shelton versus Trumbull for the tax reason more than anything else.

[Stylo]

Again, if I were you I would choose the house and area you like best. The schools in Shelton are not bad by any means. Average in CT is still pretty good.

My caveat is that I am the author of this thread: //www.city-data.com/forum/conne...g-picture.html

[JayCT]

Shelton has a good tax base and a frugal government. This reflects the more modest means of the residents there. Trumbull is more affluent and for most people, good services (which include education) are more important. You need to decide which town suits you and your family best. Jay

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Ask people in Huntington where they live and they will say Huntington. If you say they live in Shelton many will get annoyed since it still kind of has a negative meaning. Jay

Only amongst the very, very elderly will you see this attitude any more.

The "negative perception" boat sailed a few years ago for the rest of the population.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

This reflects the more modest means of the residents there.

That usually results in higher taxes in poorer parts of CT.