[Lintu]

Well, I may end up needing to commute occasionally to Wilton (with the ability to wait until rush has passed), which puts Trumbull or maybe Monroe more front and center (my husband got a new job on the Trumbull/Monroe line, so all of these towns are reasonable as long as we don't go too far north into Newtown or Oxford). I actually found a great house in Tashua, but man, the taxes...

Something I dislike about all these towns: very few homes with natural gas heat.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Lintu

Well, I may end up needing to commute occasionally to Wilton (with the ability to wait until rush has passed), which puts Trumbull or maybe Monroe more front and center (my husband got a new job on the Trumbull/Monroe line, so all of these towns are reasonable as long as we don't go too far north into Newtown or Oxford). I actually found a great house in Tashua, but man, the taxes...

Something I dislike about all these towns: very few homes with natural gas heat.

Well I guess there goes my idea to suggest Beacon Falls - lol.

How occasionally will you have to commute to Wilton? If it's daily or even every other day, I would focus on Trumbull and Shelton. If it's once a week or so, that would be fine IMO from either town.

RE: the commute from northern Newtown (Sandy Hook) or Oxford to Trumbull/Monroe line, that commute will be very easy. From Oxford, you would just take 34 to 111. From Sandy Hook, you could either do 34 to 111 or just take Route 25.

Most homes will be oil heat, especially in Monroe, Newtown and Oxford. You will also notice that most of the homes in these towns will be on septic and well. I'm not sure if that's a problem for you.

Originally Posted by AMSS

My thoughts on the other towns fwiw:
Trumbull - nice, good schools, traffic nightmares around the mall, good park and rec
Monroe - similar to Trumbull, though I find the traffic there worse at rush hour
Oxford - well managed, no amenities and not close to many (deal breaker for me), pretty, never see anyone out walking (bothers me for some reason)
Newtown - awesome if you can afford it

I agree on most points, but want to add that you won't see more people out walking in Monroe or Newtown than you do in Oxford. That's just how these towns are set up - minivan/SUV gets off the highway onto two lane state road, turns onto culdesac, turns into driveway, drives into garage, shuts garage.

[Lintu]

See, and I dislike that aspect. Here in Stratford, I know my neighbors, and we have little block parties and everyone's so friendly. It doesn't mean that people in these other towns aren't friendly, but I sure like that part of living here. Seems silly to pay for Fairfield though when our jobs would allow us to live somewhere more affordable... (I mention Fairfield because its school district is appealing).

When I commute, it would probably be 2 days a week to Wilton.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Lintu

See, and I dislike that aspect. Here in Stratford, I know my neighbors, and we have little block parties and everyone's so friendly. It doesn't mean that people in these other towns aren't friendly, but I sure like that part of living here. Seems silly to pay for Fairfield though when our jobs would allow us to live somewhere more affordable... (I mention Fairfield because its school district is appealing).

When I commute, it would probably be 2 days a week to Wilton.

What I said was kind of a joke about people shutting their garage doors. I know that Monroe, Newtown and Oxford have some very nice cul de sacs that have a close knit feel and plenty of kids. We've been looking at neighborhoods and what we've seen in Newtown (and what I see when visiting my parents in Oxford) is very appealing. Don't get me wrong, Trumbull and Shelton have that too but I personally like the other three better.

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

What I said was kind of a joke about people shutting their garage doors. I know that Monroe, Newtown and Oxford have some very nice cul de sacs that have a close knit feel and plenty of kids. We've been looking at neighborhoods and what we've seen in Newtown (and what I see when visiting my parents in Oxford) is very appealing. Don't get me wrong, Trumbull and Shelton have that too but I personally like the other three better.

Yeah, I was looking at a particular neighborhood like that in Monroe (that also happens to have natural gas! Woot!)

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Lintu doesn't have any interest in that. She's asking primarily for input from Shelton parents.

Take the gripe with AMSS to DM please.

Looks like I missed something good. And to think Cathy, I was actually being nice today. BTW, I'm married to an Oxford native. I can't hate it that much

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I agree on most points, but want to add that you won't see more people out walking in Monroe or Newtown than you do in Oxford. That's just how these towns are set up - minivan/SUV gets off the highway onto two lane state road, turns onto culdesac, turns into driveway, drives into garage, shuts garage.

Got it. I'm not in Monroe or Newtown neighborhoods enough to notice that. Parts of Huntington were like that too when I lived there. If that's your thing, no problem. But I've stated four thousand times that I like me some sidewalks.

[Stylo]

I don't go by test scores. A young colleague went to Shelton schools, is successful, and plans to return there (or Milford) to raise her kids. A pretty darn good endorsement.

Another colleague has a daughter in grade school and has nothing but good things to say.

And guess what? I have another colleague that put 4 kids through Newtown schools and his wife is in the admin. He is lukewarm on the schools there, and said they were better in the past and too focused on sports now.

There comes a point where test scores give little insight.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I don't go by test scores. A young colleague went to Shelton schools, is successful, and plans to return there (or Milford) to raise her kids. A pretty darn good endorsement.

Another colleague has a daughter in grade school and has nothing but good things to say.

And guess what? I have another colleague that put 4 kids through Newtown schools and his wife is in the admin. He is lukewarm on the schools there, and said they were better in the past and too focused on sports now.

There comes a point where test scores give little insight.

At the same time, I know people who have sent kids to Shelton schools, were iffy with them and currently know four families sending kids to elementary and high school in Newtown, and they rave about them.

It all depends on who you talk to since "good schools" is such a subjective term. That's why I look at things like graduation rates, behavioral incidents, etc. Behavioral incidents, IMO, is something that should be looked at VERY closely when researching schools, since this tends to directly affect one's learning.

Originally Posted by AMSS

Got it. I'm not in Monroe or Newtown neighborhoods enough to notice that. Parts of Huntington were like that too when I lived there. If that's your thing, no problem. But I've stated four thousand times that I like me some sidewalks.

There aren't even many sidewalks in Trumbull or Shelton, unless you're living in the area of Shelton that I don't think the OP will want to consider (downtown).

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Kid: Spot on.

Unrelated to Kid's comments but more of a general rule. I don't place a lot of emphasis on school opinions from those without kids altogether. Your perspective on life and what you are willing to do for your "brood" changes exponentially from that life event. From that point forth you want the best for your children. Why should one settle for a mediocre school when there are better, safer options at a similar price point.

Newtown and Monroe blow Shelton out of the water. Period. Full stop.

[Stylo]

Shelton is not safe? Mediocre? Blown out of the water by Monroe? Say what? I don't think everyone with a kid adamently demands top schools vs just above average schools. That said, I can't see the OP going wrong with ANY of the choices.

Also, not that any of these towns are drastically more expensive, but in other threads advice is given to push for the best school districts, even if it means pushing things financially. I think things should be balanced financially too. A family that lives well below their means can provide better for their children. That's a happier way to grow up.