[JayCT]

I would also agree that the OP should stay away from Stamford and Norwalk if they want good schools. Wilton would be an excellent town if they could find a home in their price range that meets their needs. Ridgefield would be good too. Jay

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Generally speaking, i don't disagree with you about avoiding city school systems. However, Wolfpit school does appear to be impressive and it far outperforms the Stamford school that is associated with that Stamford rental home that Stylo had mentioned.

You're right, but I was posting that home more to illustrate how expensive Stamford is, not as a recommendation.

[jax12479]

If you can stretch the budget to $4000, Greenwich, Darien and New Canaan are your best options. They're the closest to Stamford with great schools and beautiful, family-friendly neighborhoods.

If you want to stay closer to the $3500 number and increase your commute a bit, Wilton would be a good choice.

If you're only planning to be in the area for a couple of years and are only concerned about elementary schools, you should also look at North Stamford. However, if you think this may be a permanant move, I would avoid Stamford as the middle and high schools are not very good.

[Stylo]

Even at $4000 in Greenwich/New Canaan/Darien, you aren't going to get a large 4BR+ house.

[jax12479]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Even at $4000 in Greenwich/New Canaan/Darien, you aren't going to get a large 4BR+ house.

True -- so if the size of the house is more important, Wilton would be a better option. Based on location, I still think these are the best towns to consider.

[HamburgFamily]

Wow - I didn't expect the Stamford area to be that expensive.

I think I have an idea where to look now. I guess we will try to stretch our budget up to $4000 and try to shrink the house as much as possible and hope to find some nice place somewhere in Greenwich,New Canaan or Darien.

Thanks a lot for all information provided.

[SailCT]

Considering your budget and the fact that your wife will really be commuting into the northern part of Stamford that is a much shorter drive from Ridgefield than say if she was in downtown Stamford near the RR station and 95. Ridgefield has the best school system; that is the most commutable to Stamford in that northernly direction and you will get the most house/land=space from your budget. Plus it has things like the Ridgefield Playhouse; great sports and facilities for the kids. Drive would be about 30 minutes for your wife; which I think is a perfect car commute. Also, it is not as congested as the southern part of fairfield county. there are actually a couple of horse farms left up there and they have no shortage of playing fields for their youth sports programs. The Ridgefield Youth Soccer association also hosts a great opening of the season soccer tournament every year over Labor Day weekend; (first weekend in Sept. usually) the kids really have a lot of fun. It is a very generous and open community with slightly more diversity in terms of religious background and economics; than the other towns next to Stamford. Good luck with your move!

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by SailCT

Considering your budget and the fact that your wife will really be commuting into the northern part of Stamford that is a much shorter drive from Ridgefield than say if she was in downtown Stamford near the RR station and 95. Ridgefield has the best school system; that is the most commutable to Stamford in that northernly direction and you will get the most house/land=space from your budget. Plus it has things like the Ridgefield Playhouse; great sports and facilities for the kids. Drive would be about 30 minutes for your wife; which I think is a perfect car commute. Also, it is not as congested as the southern part of fairfield county. there are actually a couple of horse farms left up there and they have no shortage of playing fields for their youth sports programs. The Ridgefield Youth Soccer association also hosts a great opening of the season soccer tournament every year over Labor Day weekend; (first weekend in Sept. usually) the kids really have a lot of fun. It is a very generous and open community with slightly more diversity in terms of religious background and economics; than the other towns next to Stamford. Good luck with your move!

Ridgefield is a great town and you should definitely look at it, but the commute to Stamford on a typical day with traffic will be closer to 45 min, possibly more if you live in the north part of town. Getting to and from the Merritt Parkway requires you to navigate through local traffic in Wilton or New Canaan. Its especially bad in the morning between the school buses and the people who feel inclined to drive their kids to school (which seems like most people these days) Back roads will have the same issues with local traffic, but can be a nice alternative when the Merritt is a parking lot, especially in the evenings.