[LAHome]

Originally Posted by elinyc

They've never been to Shelton, but I thought I would recommend it to them based on the (very little) information I have about Shelton vs. the other towns. The others on the way to Waterbury seem quite rural and Waterbury itself sounds like a city with high crime. No?

Although I've lived in Shelton for a few years now, I work at home over Skype so commuting
has not come up for me. I live off Route 108 and walk to Library and Senior Center -- don't
talk to the neighbors. I think Huntington is more upscale. I'm not a good one to ask :-)

[matools]

Originally Posted by elinyc

They've never been to Shelton, but I thought I would recommend it to them based on the (very little) information I have about Shelton vs. the other towns. The others on the way to Waterbury seem quite rural and Waterbury itself sounds like a city with high crime. No?

Sorry, I thought they lived there. Compared to Waterbury and Shelton, a lot of the places on the way up to Waterbury are definitely more rural.

Waterbury has crime but to me (having lived here for 22 years) it's not on the level as say New Haven or Hartford. I utilize a lot of the amenities Waterbury has to offer without feeling like I put my life on the life and if I don't feel like staying in Waterbury, chances are a surrounding town probably has something I'm looking for. In addition, Waterbury has a pretty central location so a drive anywhere else isn't too far.

[JayCT]

You should note that Shelton will likely be more expensive than other towns closer to Waterbury. There are a number of nice town near Waterbury that the OP's friends could consider. A lot depends on what they want in a community.

If they want a more upscale town with very good schools they should consider Cheshire, Southbury or Middlebury. Another good town to consider may be Southington which has a lot of amenities. Seymour is another good town that is closer to Waterbury than Shelton. A little more information may help narrow it down. Jay

[elinyc]

Thanks for the input, Jay. They don't care about schools as they don't have school-aged children. They are looking for a dense town, something more city and less country. I think they would like something like Fairfield, but it seems like the towns closer to Waterbury are much more rural. They want something safe, with amenities (stores, restaurants) and preferably with some walking capability. I hope that helps clarify.

[RogerAnthony]

Watertown has stores and restaurants and a walkable downtown area. It's right outside Waterbury as well.

[kidyankee764]

Jay is right. The towns more expensive than Shelton in the Waterbury area are areas that the OP would likely not consider.

Median price of homes in the Waterbury area:

Oxford - 405,900
Middlebury - 392,400
Woodbury - 390,800
Shelton - 378,600
Cheshire - 361,400
Southbury - 339,100
Prospect - 327,800
Beacon Falls - 302,800
Seymour - 289,700
Watertown - 281,300
Southington - 278,800
Naugatuck - 224,100
Plymouth - 217,900
Thomaston - 217,800
Plainville - 206,000

[elinyc]

Originally Posted by RogerAnthony

Watertown has stores and restaurants and a walkable downtown area. It's right outside Waterbury as well.

That sounds great. I'll pass along that info to them. Thanks!

[Stylo]

Good towns with walkable centers near Waterbury: Woodbury (sorta, you can walk the antique stores and there's a couple restaurants in the center of town - beautiful town, but character tends toward rural), Seymour (underrated town IMO), Shelton. Watertown has a very small walkable area. If they don't mind commuting, Stratford, Milford and West Hartford are all about 30 minute commutes with minimal traffic and have great walkable areas.

[AMSS]

You'd be going against the traffic coming from Shelton, so it won't be an issue. But Shelton will be more expensive. If schools aren't a factor, I don't see the problem with Waterbury.

[Stylo]

If on a tight budget, I'd highly recommend Seymour.