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Old 05-15-2013, 12:16 PM
 
879 posts, read 1,651,125 times
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Yeah - we wouldn't just say "we're spending $450k" and spend that in any of those towns regardless of what it got us. Instead, we're going off of "We want this kind of house" and then looking at where we can find it.
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Old 05-15-2013, 12:18 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lintu View Post
Yeah - we wouldn't just say "we're spending $450k" and spend that in any of those towns regardless of what it got us. Instead, we're going off of "We want this kind of house" and then looking at where we can find it.
That's a good way to do it. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of home are you in search of?
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Old 05-15-2013, 01:03 PM
 
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Originally Posted by kidyankee764 View Post
That's a good way to do it. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of home are you in search of?
4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms + office, 2 living areas, at least 2 full bathrooms. 2000-2500 sq ft or so. Somewhere around an acre (.5 is fine as long as there's a sunny, level area for my vegetable garden). Home style isn't a dealbreaker, but I typically don't like 70s-80s homes. Natural gas is a huge plus, as is nearby access to parks and/or library. Open, decently-updated kitchen is a must (I cook a LOT). I'd rather have a smaller, updated home than a larger, out of date one that needs a lot of work.
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Old 05-15-2013, 01:16 PM
 
21,553 posts, read 30,976,392 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lintu View Post
4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms + office, 2 living areas, at least 2 full bathrooms. 2000-2500 sq ft or so. Somewhere around an acre (.5 is fine as long as there's a sunny, level area for my vegetable garden). Home style isn't a dealbreaker, but I typically don't like 70s-80s homes. Natural gas is a huge plus, as is nearby access to parks and/or library. Open, decently-updated kitchen is a must (I cook a LOT). I'd rather have a smaller, updated home than a larger, out of date one that needs a lot of work.
Got it. Well, you're definitley on the right track.
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Old 05-15-2013, 01:22 PM
 
879 posts, read 1,651,125 times
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Originally Posted by kidyankee764 View Post
Got it. Well, you're definitley on the right track.

Just have to deal with getting our house in shape to sell and figuring out THAT whole mess of selling and buying.
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Old 05-15-2013, 01:25 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Lintu View Post
Just have to deal with getting our house in shape to sell and figuring out THAT whole mess of selling and buying.
I know how that goes - I'm going through it now to move back to Fairfield County.
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Old 05-15-2013, 01:39 PM
 
5,064 posts, read 15,845,295 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve View Post
Shelton High School: 986 Disciplinary Offenses (CEDAR report) ~1600 total students
36 for Battery
15 for Property Damage
4 for Weapons
93 for Drugs

Monroe: 105 Disciplinary Offenses ~1200 total students
8 for Battery
1 for Property Damage
13 for Drugs
6 for Weapons

Newtown: 200 Disciplinary Offenses ~1700 students
12 for Battery
0 for Property Damage
4 for Weapons
37 for Drugs

I would argue that on a per capita basis, Shelton High is more dangerous and have a much higher percentage of distractions from the educational process.

Furthermore, there is near financial parity for all intents and purposes across these districts:

Median home prices as of April 2013
Monroe $307,000
Shelton $282,000
Newtown $312,000

The difference in monthly mortgage payment between the high (Newtown) and low equates to ~$120/mo. Basically reduce the number of times you eat out per month by 2-3 times and the shortfall is covered. A small price to pay for higher SAT scores and a safer educational environment. I don't know many good parents who would elect for Shelton outside of silly frugality.

This is basically why we wouldn't consider Shelton. I know of one Shelton teacher that chose not to send his kids to Shelton schools, he sent them to the town where he teaches instead. Not that Shelton's high school is bad, but it is a small city and from what I've been told by friends living there, behavior problems with kids is an issue. However I hesitate to say no to Shelton altogether, as it has nice neighborhoods and lower taxes. I have another friend from West Haven who thinks Shelton's schools are fantastic by comparison.

For what it's worth, Monroe and even Newtown have budget battles every year, but still manage to have good schools with low crime. Trumbull doesn't have the budget battles, but many residents complain of the high taxes and some even want annual budget referendums like Newtown and Monroe have.

Shelton residents often drive to Monroe and Trumbull for shopping, the area is pretty local in general, depending on what you are shopping for, I don't think Monroe or Trumbull is overly isolated. Newtown and Oxford could be a bit further from shopping, depending on the location. I would look at homes in all the towns and if you find one that you REALLY love, give it some serious consideration.
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Old 05-15-2013, 04:28 PM
 
Location: Coastal Connecticut
21,553 posts, read 27,794,997 times
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What's the link to check those stats again? Surprised at Shelton's graduation rate.

Shelton could increase their taxes 10-15% and raise the school budgets and still have low taxes compared to the immediate area. I do feel they will improve over time.
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Old 05-15-2013, 04:51 PM
 
8,777 posts, read 19,776,588 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve View Post
Shelton High School: 986 Disciplinary Offenses (CEDAR report) ~1600 total students
36 for Battery
15 for Property Damage
4 for Weapons
93 for Drugs

Monroe: 105 Disciplinary Offenses ~1200 total students
8 for Battery
1 for Property Damage
13 for Drugs
6 for Weapons

Newtown: 200 Disciplinary Offenses ~1700 students
12 for Battery
0 for Property Damage
4 for Weapons
37 for Drugs
Please note the bolded above.
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Old 05-16-2013, 06:25 AM
 
21,553 posts, read 30,976,392 times
Reputation: 9658
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stylo View Post
What's the link to check those stats again? Surprised at Shelton's graduation rate.

Shelton could increase their taxes 10-15% and raise the school budgets and still have low taxes compared to the immediate area. I do feel they will improve over time.
State Department of Education - CEDaR

Shelton's dropout rate is about 10% higher than the state average. That's not good.
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