[kidyankee764]

Reasons why I chose to stay in Connecticut over moving to southern California:

1) Family
2) Nice summers
3) The greenery is amazing here
4) Well-educated population and emphasis on education (good schools)
5) Close to two major, world class cities (New York and Boston)
6) Lots of opportunity within the state

Things I wish didn't exist here:

1) The incredibly poor drivers
2) High taxes
3) Traffic

Overall, I love CT.

[CTbrooktrout]

I think it's easy to dismiss CT vs a state totally different like Florida.

But how about those who live in southwestern CT, Tri-state area, and could possibly choose between CT, NY, and NJ? Does CT come out the lesser of 3 evils? All 3 have high taxes. Which is the better choice then?

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by CTbrooktrout

I think it's easy to dismiss CT vs a state totally different like Florida.

But how about those who live in southwestern CT, Tri-state area, and could possibly choose between CT, NY, and NJ? Does CT come out the lesser of 3 evils? All 3 have high taxes. Which is the better choice then?

Lesser of three evils? Hardly. Living in Westport, I am a 1 hour train ride from NYC, enjoy town beaches and activities and great shopping and restaurants. The community is virtually crime free. Our town enjoys a Trader Joes, a Whole Foods as well as another specialty grocery. I can be at La Guardia in an hour and Hartford in the same.

We have a beautiful condo and my partner and I enjoy complete acceptance from our neighbors.

My family is nearby. I live 2 miles from where I went to high school and enjoy bumping in to people I've known 20 years on a regular basis. Just the other day I bumped in to my old wrestling coach and my mother in Starbucks..

But, according to some, I should give all this up to save 10 percent on my taxes in North Dakota. Right.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

But, according to some, I should give all this up to save 10 percent on my taxes in North Dakota. Right.

Not that I agree with moving to a place like ND, but it's far more than 10%.

[basehead617]

Originally Posted by Kristin85

The school has drug problems but kids won't be subjected to the weed problem if you raise them right.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by basehead617

x2.

Kristin, have a kid or two. You'll learn a lot.

[elvisluvs]

Kristin85 is making some good points. I also think her point on education, accepting that there may be exceptions, is accurate. The taxes to me seem like a lot. We pay $8500 property tax in fairfield for a 1800+/- sq ft house with .25 acres. We have no children. My sister and bil have 3 girls in public school here. They have a much bigger house- but they are benefitting from really good public schools. The gold coast towns are paying really large sums of money per student per year. Most of the "interior" towns can't possibly match the spending the gold coast can. When you add a pretty high sales tax, a state income tax, high fuel prices with high fuel tax, everything seems to have a premium here. I don't know if this a state or federal program- my friends girlfriend has 2 children. She works part time making maybe $15k per year. I think he told she gets like $15-20k as part of an earned income credit. She bought a new car this year. To me- what used to be considered middle class is getting pinched hard here. -m

[elvisluvs]

To the op- as mentioned by many responses- your getting access to a lot of the "bests". My wife and I joke when we go away on vacation- there's usually some event in the news that has a connecticut connection.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

x2.

Kristin, have a kid or two. You'll learn a lot.

So true. There are no major public schools that do not have a drug problem PERIOD. It is just about everywhere. The key is how the school handles the problem. Glastonbury has an excellent school system that I can honestly say is challenging and gives the kids a quality education. It just had a major drug bust of 11 kids, some of whom we know. A few come from repectable involved families. Still the kids found a source and tried it and got caught. The school was very open about it and used it as a lesson for others to learn from. There were drug problems when I was in school MANY years ago so it is not a new problem either. It is just something that you have to live with.

As for Trumbull and Tolland schools, I so disagree with Kristen's assessment. Both are very good schools, I would even say excellent. I know people with kids in both systems and they are pleased with them. I think the situation that she describes with teachers giving in to parent pressure is not anywhere near as prevalent as she contends. Schools are what a family makes of it. If there are good resources and it is safe and the family is involved the kids should learn and learn well. It is that simple. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by elvisluvs

Kristin85 is making some good points. I also think her point on education, accepting that there may be exceptions, is accurate. The taxes to me seem like a lot. We pay $8500 property tax in fairfield for a 1800+/- sq ft house with .25 acres. We have no children. My sister and bil have 3 girls in public school here. They have a much bigger house- but they are benefitting from really good public schools. The gold coast towns are paying really large sums of money per student per year. Most of the "interior" towns can't possibly match the spending the gold coast can. When you add a pretty high sales tax, a state income tax, high fuel prices with high fuel tax, everything seems to have a premium here. I don't know if this a state or federal program- my friends girlfriend has 2 children. She works part time making maybe $15k per year. I think he told she gets like $15-20k as part of an earned income credit. She bought a new car this year. To me- what used to be considered middle class is getting pinched hard here. -m

You don't think you benefit from good schools. Why do you think your home is worth more than it would be in other towns? Why is it likely to appreciate more than homes in other towns? It is because the town is desirable to families with kids who are willing to spend more to live there. Also note that other public ammenitites like parks, roads and libraries cost money too. Jay