[SMR101587]

Hi. My family and I are seeking to relocate to Connecticut next summer. We are considering these two areas Danbury, and Middletown.

We would be seeking a 4 plus bedroom home on at least 3/4 of an acre. Budget is No more than 400,000. Preferably less though. Questions we have for Danbury vs. Middletown are

1.What is the crime rate?
2. How are the schools?
3. How are the property taxes?
4. What is the downtown area like in terms of shopping and/or the social scene?
5. Are the residential sections noisy or quiet at night?
6. Any natural disasters like hurricanes/tornados or massive snow storms throughout the year?


In general, What is the better area? Please let me know.

Thank you.

Edit: Please Include Wallingford as well. Thank you.

[Stylo]

First off, Middletown is significantly cheaper. You're going to get a lot more home for your money. There are advantages to both areas. Danbury has more shopping, Middletown has a better downtown. Danbury is closer to NYC and beautiful Litchfield County, Middletown is closer to New Haven/Hartford and the beautiful eastern shoreline and CT River Valley.

1. Crime is basically equal. Not statistically significant in either city. You can get crime profiles on this site.
//www.city-data.com/city/Middle...nnecticut.html
//www.city-data.com/city/Danbury-Connecticut.html
2. Middletown may be marginally better, but both are about average for CT. Although Danbury High School underperforms, I've not heard any major complaints from those I know who attended.
3. Marginally higher in Middletown (mill rate of ~26 vs. ~23), but nothing worth swaying a decision. The lower property values in Middletown make up for it.
4. Middletown downtown is definitely superior, plus you have quick access to the most flourishing social/cultural scene in the state: downtown New Haven. You have colleges in both towns, but for some reason Wesleyan seems to have a more positive impact on the downtown area in Middletown. Danbury downtown has been in a rut for years. The mall sucked out most of the life there. The mall is the place to be in Danbury, and downtown has just been on a slow downhill demise for years. Also there is some nightlife on Mill Plain Road in Danbury, but it's not really walkable - more strip mall style spots. Nearby downtown Bethel is picturesque, but offers little in the way of nightlife.
5. Depends on the area in either town. There are rural and more dense neighborhoods in both cities. One tip: if you are opposed to noise, stay away from the Metro North rail crossings in Danbury. The commuter trains run regularly and they are required to sound their very loud horns at every crossing since they are all street grade on that line.
6. As long as you aren't in a river flood zone, there is nothing to worry about in either city. Things happen, but neither area is more prone than the other. Snowfall is about equal, perhaps with a slight edge in Danbury on total amounts.

Better area? Very subjective. Both have their plusses and minuses.

Might I suggest nearby areas if schools are a concern: in Danbury area, check out New Fairfield, Bethel, Newtown, Brookfield, and New Milford. Near Middletown, check out North Haven, Durham, Branford, East Hampton, Chester, etc. Prices will be higher, but again - the Middletown area is generally cheaper.

[SMR101587]

Thank you. I recently edited the post to include Wallingford. What can you tell me about Wallingford?

[willow wind]

Wallingford is a lovely town. However, your budget won't go as far there as in Middletown. Tight now there are just 9 homes on the market that meet your wish list and some of those are on busy roads..

Wallingford has a cute town center, walkable,a variety of neighborhoods from in-town on smaller lots to semi-rural on acreage to typical subdivisions. Very easy highway access through to the town to get to both New Haven to the south and Middletown to the north.

One nice thing about Wallingford is that it is has its own electrical service provider. When the rest of the state is in the dark for a week, Wallingford is only out for a day or two if at all. Snowfall is no diffferent than either Middletown or Danbury. You don't have to worry about flooding unless you're in the vicinity of brooks, streams.

Overall its schools rate higher higher than either of your other two cities.

[NewHavensFinest]

Curious, How did you come up with those three places in CT? Browsing homes for sale?

[Stylo]

What are you basing your search on? There are other great towns in your budget that should be considered.

Wallingford is on par with Danbury in price, but schools are better. It's a very nice town.

There are lots of bang-for-buck fantastic towns that could work with your budget and needs in the Danbury and New Haven areas, including (but not limited to): New Milford, Bethel, Shelton, Milford, Orange, Bethany, North Haven, Branford, Seymour, Oxford, etc.

[SMR101587]

Thank you for the great replies. We are basing this search on traveling through Massachusetts down to Connecticut to visit NYC as we all used to live there. (NYC) Wallingford was always a pit stop and it seemed nice enough when we stopped in recently for pizza. Middletown was a pit stop after going to New Britain for Polish food, and seemed nice as well. They are, I guess, "Main towns" along the highway...We live along a highway in Massachusetts at this point so I suppose that is what we gravitate towards. Danbury came up I guess because of price range? Also it borders New York State, and is in Fairfield County. (Proximity)
I suppose I am only basing my search on what I already know. Searching for homes, yes usually through the internet. The main issues are price of home/ a nice piece of land/property taxes and a safe quiet area . Not one more so than the other we want it all not just some of those things
Those suggestions for towns are excellent. I will look into them. Perhaps you could post more. Thank you.

[willow wind]

Can you tell us where you will be working when you make the move to CT ? That could certainly help to pick a location that would make sense commute and budget wise

[LRPct]

Originally Posted by willow wind

Can you tell us where you will be working when you make the move to CT ? That could certainly help to pick a location that would make sense commute and budget wise

Yes. For 400k theres MUCH nicer places to live in Ct. than Danbury or Middletown. You couldnt pay me enough to live in either actually.

[NewHavensFinest]

Originally Posted by Stylo

What are you basing your search on? There are other great towns in your budget that should be considered.

Wallingford is on par with Danbury in price, but schools are better. It's a very nice town.

There are lots of bang-for-buck fantastic towns that could work with your budget and needs in the Danbury and New Haven areas, including (but not limited to): New Milford, Bethel, Shelton, Milford, Orange, Bethany, North Haven, Branford, Seymour, Oxford, etc.

this.

I was going to mention towns like Orange and Branford specifically, theres beautiful places along the shoreline and going inland. Any house from New Haven east is worth looking at. Parts of East Haven, North Branford, Branford, Guilford, Durham, Old Saybrook, etc.


some parts of those places may not have city water and have septic tanks, and propane tanks. Most houses will have these, but you might run into a street that doesnt have any of that.