[Stylo]

We can agree to disagree, it varies widely by bar. I'm still very much going out in all said places.

[Comp625]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

I'm going to pull a Stylo here.

Milford is your best bet.

ROFL - you get a rep for that!


I echo the others opinions that New Haven or Milford would be the best bet for someone who has to travel all throughout the State of Connecticut.

1. Traffic in southwest CT (in the SoNo area) is AWFUL. Although it sounds like you would more often do the reverse commute (e.g. travelling northbound in the mornings), you should still take traffic into consideration. The traffic in Fairfield County will drive you mad.

2. Milford has the Spinnaker Apartments, which is right on the water. Many folks here will recommend it.

3. Just know that in New Haven, there are lots of rental choices outside of the new 360 State Street complex. They may not be New Construction/Super Modern like the 360 complex, but still very practical choices.

4. Also, many people here recommend the East Rock neighborhood of New Haven. It's quiet, quaint and still a fast 5 minute drive to downtown New Haven. It's also very close to I-91, which going northbound, will take you towards Hartford. It's also relatively close to the Merritt Parkway and I-95. Super convenient.

Best of luck to you!

[Just2Much19]

Thank you Comp and Stylo!

So if I was looking in Milford are there any areas to stay away from?

[PhxSuns333]

In Milford, there really is no dangerous area at all. The area I wouldn't want to live in is Devon (of Milford), and the only reason I wouldn't want to live there is because it looks run down. It's not dangerous though, just looks run down. I feel safe anywhere in Milford.

[Stylo]

Yes, Devon is dumpy for the most part (except for Laurel Beach and Rivercliff) - but safe.

I'll echo the sentiment that East Rock is a great choice for New Haven.

[kidyankee764]

Milford is purely suburban. If you want urban, the cities you're considering are where you'll want to focus.

[Just2Much19]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Yes, Devon is dumpy for the most part (except for Laurel Beach and Rivercliff) - but safe.

I'll echo the sentiment that East Rock is a great choice for New Haven.

Thanks! I am looking there and Wooster.

[Jpierpont]

Originally Posted by Stylo

You obviously don't know New Haven then. It is much more substantial than SoNo. SoNo is like a couple streets in New Haven. For nightlife, restaurants and activity, New Haven is #1 in the state. Most people I know in SoNo got bored of it pretty quickly. It's also more expensive. The advantage is you're 30 minutes closer to NYC.

If living in NH, there's no need to go elsewhere for nightlife, but Black Rock, Milford and Middletown are close.

Agreed SoNo is too small to compare to downtown New Haven. Way fewer activities. Not to mention pretty Yale grad students in the coffee shops.

[AnonChick]

Originally Posted by Just2Much19

Thanks! I am looking there and Wooster.

Wooster is awesome but parking is a premium, AND traffic at suppertime and on Friday/Saturday evenings is atrocious. Also, on Wooster Street itself, there's a festival that runs through it once a year and the street is completely close to traffic from before the Avest starts, til after it's over. You can park on other streets a few blocks away, but the problem is, a few blocks away, depending on which direction you drive, might not be safe to walk.

Upper State Street would be my #1 choice of New Haven residential areas, if I was single and in my 30's. Anywhere from Lawrence St. to Eld Street, and State Street to Whitney, and anything within that big square of residences. Many of them are one-family homes, but several are multi-families with walk-ups. Most of them have parking either in driveways/behind in small private lots, or permit parking on the street. There are also several store-front apartment buildings right on State.

Walking distance to downtown if the weather's especially nice and you're in decent shape. Bike-riding distance on most days, there are a couple of busses that follow State Street to downtown for those who can't handle the walk or just don't want to walk, and those busses go to Union Station. The neighborhood is an ecclectic mix of elderly, older folks whose families have lived in the homes for generations and the kids have moved out, new families moving in, college students renting apartments, and youngish professionals, including Yale professors and hospital faculty members.

Oh and lots of lawyers. Seems like every lawyer in New Haven has an office on Orange Street (or would like one).

[anon860]

If you are looking for a real urban experience, I would recommend New Haven - by a wide margin the biggest and most active city in the State, so it has a strong sense of community for singles of any age. SoNo itself is very small - more of a strip, though the area in general (Coastal Fairfield and Stamford) have a huge amount going on too if you're willing to look hard and drive around. You may also want to consider West Hartford and Hartford as neither SoNo nor New Haven are particularly inexpensive. SoNo and New Haven are both easily accessible to NYC - 1hr-1.5hr drive