[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by spr1975wshs

We were not considering going either west or south of Stratford, nor close to New Haven.

Hmm, then you're kind of limited to Stratford or the Naugatuck Valley. Why don't you want to be close to New Haven? There are many great towns adjacent to the city.

Originally Posted by Stylo

Well let's not go through this again. Milford taxes aren't high on homes. On vehicles, yes - high-ish due to a 28.89 mill rate. Home taxes are pretty low due to the method of assessment. As low as Shelton's for a similarly valued home, since Shelton taxes the property as well as the structure (like most CT municipalities) while Milford taxes the structure alone. If it weren't for that fact, I would be paying more like $7,000 instead of $5,400 on my house given our mill rate. I feel like a broken record regarding that.

It does allow more tax income from businesses and commercial, as well as from vehicles from renters - while keeping home taxes low and very competitive. Works for me.

You're missing my point. For the huge tax base and grand list in the city, the taxes are anything but "low". Low taxes are found in Texas and Georgia. With the amount of revenue, you'd think they would be much less on the homeowners; not comparable to rural towns with virtually no commercial base.

I guess we can, once again, agree to disagree. As long as you feel that you're getting a good deal.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by spr1975wshs

Hey all;

Thank you for your responses, quite a lot to digest.

Our current house is a 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch (about 1300 SqFt, full basement) with a 3 car attached garage on a lot that is about 2 1/2 times the footprint of the house/garage (about 5000 Sq Ft). Property taxes are about $4600.00 on a valuation of around $149,000 [assessment of about $67,000])...we expected that the government "skim" would be substantially higher.

Are you working with a similar budget of around $149k? Unfortunately, it would be extremely difficult to find a home in a decent neighborhood in the area you are looking at. And most of the homes you do find will need major renovating. I agree that you will either need to increase your budget, adjust your expectations, or look in other towns. Have a look here to compare home prices in that area and surrounding towns:

William Raveis Real Estate - Find a home in CT

[Rich Cabeza]

I would live in Stratford between Paradise Green and Hard's Corner.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

You're missing my point. For the huge tax base and grand list in the city, the taxes are anything but "low". Low taxes are found in Texas and Georgia. With the amount of revenue, you'd think they would be much less on the homeowners; not comparable to rural towns with virtually no commercial base.

I guess we can, once again, agree to disagree. As long as you feel that you're getting a good deal.

I meant low for CT, and comparable to Shelton (on homes).

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by spr1975wshs

Our main issue with being too close, too large a collection of any people. Only big crowd functions we go to are craft beer fests, as both of us are home brewers. Crime's not a major concern, we've never lived like targets.

One thing that strikes me about the conversations surrounding Stratford and the area is the mention of actual, functional neighborhoods. That is a part of New England life we've not seen elsewhere, except when we were stationed at the USAF base near Omaha, NE.
That's what I grew up with in West Springield, as did my parents during their childhood in Chicopee and Springfield.

I know that is not a panacea for the changes wrought by the 30 years away, but it's a start.

Thank again!

The towns adjacent to New Haven are actually a little lower key and less hectic than in the Bridgeport area IMO. Don't think of them as dense and city-like. Woodbridge and Bethany are very rural, for instance.

If you like functional neighborhoods, then yes - towns like Stratford and Milford will fit the bill best.

[spr1975wshs]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Hmm, then you're kind of limited to Stratford or the Naugatuck Valley. Why don't you want to be close to New Haven? There are many great towns adjacent to the city.

Only reason is as stated earlier, my wife and I are "allergic" to big concentrations of humanity (most anything over 25 - 30 thousand in population).

Then again, we do know the value of compromise, nowhere is excluded right now, except Bridgeport. ...and I don't think we can afford the initiation fee to make it in Greenwich.

If her acceptance of the job proposal bears fruit, it would likely be March or April before we move (with the grind of security checks and such)...so, we have time to converse and time to decide.

We'd be looking at north or east of Stratford, because that would cut down on drive time to West Springfield. Nearer New Haven would work; we'd be able to pick up my niece who lives in NYC on our way to visit...

[JayCT]

Because you want a smaller town, that eliminates Milford, Stratford and Shelton. You will have to look at the Naugatuck River towns like Derby, Ansonia, Seymour and Beacon Falls. Also maybe Prospect. These would not be too far from New Haven or Bridgeport for an occasional train station pickup but are still affordable and convenient to Sikorsky in Stratford. These towns are older mill towns and may not be the most attractive communities over all. Jay

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Because you want a smaller town, that eliminates Milford, Stratford and Shelton. You will have to look at the Naugatuck River towns like Derby, Ansonia, Seymour and Beacon Falls. Also maybe Prospect. These would not be too far from New Haven or Bridgeport for an occasional train station pickup but are still affordable and convenient to Sikorsky in Stratford. These towns are older mill towns and may not be the most attractive communities over all. Jay

I honestly think population can be irrelevant in this case. If they want a certain neighborhood feel, they're going to have to go to more populated towns. It's not like Milford, Stratford or Shelton feel city-like at all. Even downtown Milford and Stratford have a certain small-town charm to them.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I meant low for CT, and comparable to Shelton (on homes).

Milford taxes are not low for CT. Greenwich taxes are low for CT.

Originally Posted by Stylo

I honestly think population can be irrelevant in this case. If they want a certain neighborhood feel, they're going to have to go to more populated towns. It's not like Milford, Stratford or Shelton feel city-like at all. Even downtown Milford and Stratford have a certain small-town charm to them.

Eh - I disagree. But first, I wouldn't suggest Ansonia or Derby because they are pretty crowded - just small landwise. Also, Milford is a crowded suburb with over 2200 people per square mile, as is Stratford. If the OP is looking for a small town, it's certainly not going to be Milford or Stratford. I'd suggest Trumbull, Shelton or even maybe Seymour. More rural? Monroe, Oxford or Newtown.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I honestly think population can be irrelevant in this case. If they want a certain neighborhood feel, they're going to have to go to more populated towns. It's not like Milford, Stratford or Shelton feel city-like at all. Even downtown Milford and Stratford have a certain small-town charm to them.

Mmm, I don't know, I don't like cities and Shelton/Milford/Stratford feel very city-like to me.

I would ask again, does the OP want to stick to a budget of around $150k? Because with that budget, they are severely limited.