[AnonChick]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Sorry but traffic going southbound on I-91 feeding into I-95 southbound and Route 34 has several miles of backup every morning. It is better than it was when there was just a single lane to I-95 SB but it is still not great. Just too many cars. Jay

Most people who live on the I-91 route heading south into New Haven (as opposed to heading *through* New Haven) know better than to try driving to exit 1 during rush hour. We get off at Trumbull or State and take Orange, State, or Whitney Ave, into the downtown area.

Prior to 8:30 AM, getting to exit 1 isn't too bad - though the off ramp connector can be sort of scary what with people coming from both the left and the right onto the main connector road, AND people trying to move to the right, from the left, to get off that first exit where the Coliseum used to be (which is also the exit off the connector you take to get to the train station).

By 4:30PM, getting ON that connector to head back to I-91 north can also be a nightmare, for around half a mile, plus the congestion on the city roads that lead -to- that connector (around the Air-Rights Garage) is thoroughly whine-worthy.

But again - the main positive to living on the I-91 corridor, is that you don't ever HAVE to take that connector to get to the highway. There are 4 entrance ramps to I-91 all within a 4-mile stretch, and 3 off-ramps, none of which involve Long Wharf.

[AnonChick]

I live in North Haven, OP, but I know the Wallingford area very well. My sister lived there for several years, and I'm friendly with many folks who live there - and I might be working there in a couple of months. And my gym is in Wallingford too.

You're absolutely right about there being "something" special about Wallingford. Most people only know the Rte 5 area, which - coming from Wharton Brook toward the center, looks like just a really ugly sprawl of big-box stores, strip malls, and smokestacks on the other side of the train tracks.

But once you get TO the center, by the Gazebo, and venture east up the hill, you find some of the most exquisite, well-kept, Victorians in all manner of colorful facades, yards, landscaping. Plus there's something so comfy and "pride-producing" about the old Parade Grounds. You're going to LOVE the food festival on the hill next year (you missed it this year). And don't forget to come down the road to visit your neighbors at the North Haven Fair and the Irish Festival!

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by JGBigGreen

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to post and offer thoughts and suggestions.

We made several trips to the area and have decided on Wallingford. All of the towns we looked at were great but there was just something about Wallingford that felt "right" to our family. We loved the downtown area, the YMCA and the schools seem perfect for our sons.

We are looking forward to our move!

Congrats. It's a solid town. I am a bit surprised though that you didn't prefer the Branford downtown area? I think it's one of the best in the area.

[Csiko]

Originally Posted by JGBigGreen

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to post and offer thoughts and suggestions.

We made several trips to the area and have decided on Wallingford. All of the towns we looked at were great but there was just something about Wallingford that felt "right" to our family. We loved the downtown area, the YMCA and the schools seem perfect for our sons.

We are looking forward to our move!

Good luck with the move.

If you're ever looking to celebrate with some good food, try... well, just about anywhere here.

[AnonChick]

And by "anywhere," Csiko means "Archie Moore's."

[biznotjobs]

With all that I-91 traffic, Make sure your emergency roadside service is up to date!

[Csiko]

Originally Posted by biznotjobs

With all that I-95 traffic, Make sure your emergency roadside service is up to date!

Fixed this for you.

And by "anywhere," Csiko means "Archie Moore's."

That's a good start indeed.

[JGBigGreen]

Sorry to have dropped off and not replied but the move is eating up my free time! :-)

Stylo, we did like Branford too but Wallingford just seemed like a better "fit" for us.

Archie Moore's is definitely on our list! And speaking of Route 5 AnonChick, my sons are ecstatic that so many chain restaurants are there. Having lived in Vermont for more than 10 years they have gotten tired of seeing commercials for so many fast food restaurants but never getting to eat there. They were absolutely thrilled to find out Wallingford has a Popeye's. (Easy to please I know!)

[SeaDoo342]

Originally Posted by JGBigGreen

Sorry to have dropped off and not replied but the move is eating up my free time! :-)

Stylo, we did like Branford too but Wallingford just seemed like a better "fit" for us.

Archie Moore's is definitely on our list! And speaking of Route 5 AnonChick, my sons are ecstatic that so many chain restaurants are there. Having lived in Vermont for more than 10 years they have gotten tired of seeing commercials for so many fast food restaurants but never getting to eat there. They were absolutely thrilled to find out Wallingford has a Popeye's. (Easy to please I know!)

Wood n tap in Wallingford is MUCH better than Archie Moores.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by SeaDoo342

Wood n tap in Wallingford is MUCH better than Archie Moores.

For general bar food, agreed. Never understood the hype on Archie's wings, they're definitely good - but I prefer the variety of BWW or the more specialty places like Dew Drop Inn or TK's. To each their own.