[alliss]

I believe there are some rules/laws that agents must follow, they aren't allowed to give strong opinions when asked about a location.http://www.uklv.info/g.gif

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by alliss

I believe there are some rules/laws that agents must follow, they aren't allowed to give strong opinions when asked about a location.

Yeah, I'm not sure they're technically allowed to call out a "bad" area. Or it's risky as far as bias or misrepresentation goes. The race card can be also used whether intentional or not.

It's all linked to the Fair Housing Act.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Yeah, I'm not sure they're technically allowed to call out a "bad" area.

Originally Posted by 3danimator

I was told it was a nice area in Norwalk by my real estate agent... but it looked pretty dumpy from the outside.

Most likely not say "bad" area, they can say its less than desirable or jst not mention it based on your citeria... but on the other hand why say its good if its not? I'm sure there's a buyer protection in place that prevents agents from lying. Maybe this one doesnt know the area or maybe they do think its nice, who knows.

Kuddos to you for asking around. Make sure you give the agent specific details what your looking for and they should find something based on that. But even giving details you'll never know if you have crazy neighbors. Check the sex offender list which is public online.

[Stylo]

I agree, calling that a "good" area is pushing it. Maybe good compared to Ely Ave, or parts of Bridgeport or New Haven - but not "good" like many of the southern CT suburban towns. I knew not to buy there by spending some time driving around and a little soul-searching about what I really wanted.

I think that's your point though. That agent made a big mistake calling it "good", and that's why there are laws in place. Their "good" might be most people's "bad", it's all individual perception - or maybe they just really want a quick commission.

[esm1983]

Hold up a second here. Reading these responses, I live down the road east on Flax Hill in an area people consider "bad" and its fine. I have been here for almost 2 years and I feel like Norwalk gets a bad rep. Crime here is a bunch of idiot 17-23 year old kids fighting/shooting/robbing each other and there have been only 2 homicides this year (in one incident that seems to be some kind of drug deal gone bad). Outside of the "block" between MLK on the west and Woodward on the East, Norwalk is pretty quiet. Lots of mixed families and people out and about doing things all the time and close to downtown SoNo.

Brookside IS a nice part of Norwalk, its just not new or fancy by any means compared to just half a mile south or west towards Rowayton or Darien. The aforementioned towns are some of the nicest in the country and are unbelievably beautiful and outrageously expensive. Brookside is your typical older suburban neighborhood with lots of 50's - early 80's homes. The prices in this area are completely affected by Rowayton and Darien and to say the neighborhood is dumpy is BS. Moving from NC you might have expectations based on prices (many 400k-700k houses in Norwalk are at least 40 years old and under 2200 SF). However the neighborhood around that school is fine and close to Brien Mcmahon Highschool. Lots of shopping and close to 95, and downtown Darien which is really nice.

People from the surrounding areas like to bash Norwalk because it is not as nice as pretty much everything around it until you get to Bridgeport (and by nice I mean mansions and estates with horse farms nice). Prices have gone down some in the last year and half and buying in that area you are sure to at least hold all of your value because the rest of Norwalk is just so-so (but still ok). There is a lot to do here and people are generally more down to earth than in Stamford. You just pay extra to live within 50 minutes of Manhattan.

I work in Norwalk also and MANY of my coworkers bought in the Milford/Trumbel area and now regret it and worse they cannot sell. Houses are underwater and they endure an hour plus commute some days both ways just to travel 30 miles or so. They got a newer/bigger house but with all the other factors it isn't worth it anymore with prices falling in FCT. I cant imagine how much worse it would be to Stamford. Even Norwalk to Stamford in the mornings on 95 is bad enough. Milford is really nice it's just too far IMO if you work in Fairfield County and can't take the train.

If anything look north of Norwalk in North Wilton/Ridgefield/Redding/South Danbury if you are willing commute that same time. Its all country roads and you get the classic rural Connecticut feel up there. Just my two cents from living here. Good luck with your decision.

[Tin Knocker]

Originally Posted by esm1983

Hold up a second here. Reading these responses, I live down the road east on Flax Hill in an area people consider "bad" and its fine. I have been here for almost 2 years and I feel like Norwalk gets a bad rep. Crime here is a bunch of idiot 17-23 year old kids fighting/shooting/robbing each other and there have been only 2 homicides this year (in one incident that seems to be some kind of drug deal gone bad). Outside of the "block" between MLK on the west and Woodward on the East, Norwalk is pretty quiet. Lots of mixed families and people out and about doing things all the time and close to downtown SoNo.

Brookside IS a nice part of Norwalk, its just not new or fancy by any means compared to just half a mile south or west towards Rowayton or Darien. The aforementioned towns are some of the nicest in the country and are unbelievably beautiful and outrageously expensive. Brookside is your typical older suburban neighborhood with lots of 50's - early 80's homes. The prices in this area are completely affected by Rowayton and Darien and to say the neighborhood is dumpy is BS. Moving from NC you might have expectations based on prices (many 400k-700k houses in Norwalk are at least 40 years old and under 2200 SF). However the neighborhood around that school is fine and close to Brien Mcmahon Highschool. Lots of shopping and close to 95, and downtown Darien which is really nice.

People from the surrounding areas like to bash Norwalk because it is not as nice as pretty much everything around it until you get to Bridgeport (and by nice I mean mansions and estates with horse farms nice). Prices have gone down some in the last year and half and buying in that area you are sure to at least hold all of your value because the rest of Norwalk is just so-so (but still ok). There is a lot to do here and people are generally more down to earth than in Stamford. You just pay extra to live within 50 minutes of Manhattan.

I work in Norwalk also and MANY of my coworkers bought in the Milford/Trumbel area and now regret it and worse they cannot sell. Houses are underwater and they endure an hour plus commute some days both ways just to travel 30 miles or so. They got a newer/bigger house but with all the other factors it isn't worth it anymore with prices falling in FCT. I cant imagine how much worse it would be to Stamford. Even Norwalk to Stamford in the mornings on 95 is bad enough. Milford is really nice it's just too far IMO if you work in Fairfield County and can't take the train.

If anything look north of Norwalk in North Wilton/Ridgefield/Redding/South Danbury if you are willing commute that same time. Its all country roads and you get the classic rural Connecticut feel up there. Just my two cents from living here. Good luck with your decision.

+1 Norwalk, IMHO is a good place to live. A few areas to steer shy of but the vast majority is pretty nice. Only real complaint I have is its getting overpopulated and the city seems bent on bringing in more people every chance it gets. Be perfect if about half of them living here now left, but as it stands its better than many places & as safe as any.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by esm1983

I work in Norwalk also and MANY of my coworkers bought in the Milford/Trumbel area and now regret it and worse they cannot sell. Houses are underwater and they endure an hour plus commute some days both ways just to travel 30 miles or so. They got a newer/bigger house but with all the other factors it isn't worth it anymore with prices falling in FCT. I cant imagine how much worse it would be to Stamford. Even Norwalk to Stamford in the mornings on 95 is bad enough. Milford is really nice it's just too far IMO if you work in Fairfield County and can't take the train.

If anything look north of Norwalk in North Wilton/Ridgefield/Redding/South Danbury if you are willing commute that same time. Its all country roads and you get the classic rural Connecticut feel up there. Just my two cents from living here. Good luck with your decision.

The price difference between buying a house in Norwalk and Milford/Trumbull area is pretty big. If someone can afford it and they don't mind sending their kids to the HS's, great - Norwalk has its qualities. The commute from Milford/Trumbull to Norwalk is really not that bad, it gets unreasonable when you have to drive to Darien/Stamford. If you can do a Stamford commute on the train, it's not a big deal. If you have to commute to NYC, then Norwalk starts to make more sense to me.

We can agree to disagree on Norwalk in general. I think there are some fantastic neighborhoods (that come with the price tag), I am just not a fan of the town in general and I know several people that want to move out due to various issues. They are either in positions where they can afford "better", or they want more for their money in other towns.

Your comment on not buying able to sell homes in Trumbull/Milford has nothing to do with the area and everything to do with a 20-25% price drop STATEWIDE. Prices did not drop any more precipitously in that area vs. the Norwalk area and you can be underwater wherever you live.

[3danimator]

Just want to say thanks to everyone for there opinions. We ended up going for the place in Milford. I will be taking the train so I dont think it will be that bad. Milford just seemed like it was more our speed. We love the water and its right on the beach. Hopefully we like it.

[JayCT]

Good choice. I am sure you will like Milford. Good luck, Jay