[Mike 75]

Ridgefield may be one of the prettiest towns in the state. Great schools and a great downtown make it very attractive. The downside is, as others have said, the commute to Stamford or NYC, hence the lower real estate prices relative to Wilton and New Canaan.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Lintu

Maybe we'll aim for that then instead of Oxford, Monroe, or Woodbridge. We'd get more for the money out there, but I don't care about a big house.

I guess the downside is that Ridgefield lost power this weekend, while I'm still sitting cozy in Stratford.

Your commute time will be the same either way. It's just a matter of whether you prefer a backroad or train commute to Stamford.

Oxford to Stamford would be awful, I wouldn't even consider it.

The only downside to Ridgefield is it's relatively isolated. I lived in the Danbury area and there's not a lot going on. You really have to go down to Norwalk for things to do, restaurants, etc. There are a few good restaurants in Ridgefield, but you'll blast through them pretty quickly.

Depends on what you want and your stage in life. I find younger people especially get bored in the Danbury area. But some people like the more isolated, quiet life. Monroe and Woodbridge are quiet and feel rural, but especially with Woodbridge - you're close to some activity and culture.

If you're going to consider Ridgefield and its higher prices, why not consider Fairfield? IMO it's a more balanced place to live and the commute to Stamford is a cinch.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

Ridgefield may be one of the prettiest towns in the state. Great schools and a great downtown make it very attractive. The downside is, as others have said, the commute to Stamford or NYC, hence the lower real estate prices relative to Wilton and New Canaan.

It's a beautiful main street, but mainly geared towards upscale housewives/family stuff. Kind of like Westport and New Canaan, but on a smaller scale. It doesn't have the variety and liveliness of other CT downtowns, but again - depends on what you're looking for, overall preferences and stage in life.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stylo

It's a beautiful main street, but mainly geared towards upscale housewives/family stuff. Kind of like Westport and New Canaan, but on a smaller scale. It doesn't have the variety and liveliness of other CT downtowns, but again - depends on what you're looking for, overall preferences and stage in life.

Agreed. It's beautiful but definitely has the feel of the affluent lower FFC towns. Oxford, Newtown, Monroe are less wealthy but still upper-middle class.

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Your commute time will be the same either way. It's just a matter of whether you prefer a backroad or train commute to Stamford.

Oxford to Stamford would be awful, I wouldn't even consider it.

The only downside to Ridgefield is it's relatively isolated. I lived in the Danbury area and there's not a lot going on. You really have to go down to Norwalk for things to do, restaurants, etc. There are a few good restaurants in Ridgefield, but you'll blast through them pretty quickly.

Depends on what you want and your stage in life. I find younger people especially get bored in the Danbury area. But some people like the more isolated, quiet life. Monroe and Woodbridge are quiet and feel rural, but especially with Woodbridge - you're close to some activity and culture.

If you're going to consider Ridgefield and its higher prices, why not consider Fairfield? IMO it's a more balanced place to live and the commute to Stamford is a cinch.

Oh, there's no way my husband would commute Oxford to Stamford, though he does have coworkers who do this somehow. We're thinking that if we stay out this direction, he'll look for a job out this way. However, we also are concerned that there are generally less opportunities out this way than in the Stamford area, so if we can afford someplace closer to Stamford, it would be better even though we would get less house for the money.

I don't really mind not having a ton of activity around. We have an 18 month old and my main criteria in towns are good schools for her, other kids to play with, and activities to keep her busy. The benefit to Ridgefield would be that we'd actually have a babysitter now and then!

We are definitely considering Fairfield.

[Jpierpont]

I've only been to Ridgefield once, and while it isn't the type of place I'd personally like to settle down, it is indeed beautiful anyone would do good to move there.

[kidyankee764]

I know quite a few Oxford --> Stamford commuters. It's not too bad if the office is near High Ridge or Long Ridge (via Merritt), but if you have to take 95, it really sucks. It takes 45 minutes without traffic. Two hours with.

The Oxford --> Norwalk/Stamford commuters are more people who prefer a new, large colonial home to an older raised ranch in a town like Ridgefield or Fairfield.

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I know quite a few Oxford --> Stamford commuters. It's not too bad if the office is near High Ridge or Long Ridge (via Merritt), but if you have to take 95, it really sucks. It takes 45 minutes without traffic. Two hours with.

The Oxford --> Norwalk/Stamford commuters are more people who prefer a new, large colonial home to an older raised ranch in a town like Ridgefield or Fairfield.

Yeah, my husband works off High Ridge so that's what they're doing. It's an hour and a half for him door to door from Stratford, which has been rough. They moved his office from near 95 in Norwalk to near the Merritt in Stamford, and he's a train commuter. Ugh.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Lintu

We are definitely considering Fairfield.

Fairfield opens you up to a lot of job markets. New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, NYC.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Lintu

Yeah, my husband works off High Ridge so that's what they're doing. It's an hour and a half for him door to door from Stratford, which has been rough. They moved his office from near 95 in Norwalk to near the Merritt in Stamford, and he's a train commuter. Ugh.

If he's staying there, Ridgefield would be a better commute. Then again, if he gets another job near 95, it'll add some time to get through the city in rush hour. I don't know why any company would make that move, it's so inconvenient.

I'm wondering why it takes so long though? The express train from Stratford is only 30 minutes?