[soccerfest04]

Hello all,

I'm moving to CT and need some advice from the locals. I'm fresh out of school (23) with a new job and looking for a place to live for atleast a couple years. I would really like to live walking distance from a good beach, waterfront apartments if possible! I'm looking at Milford, Fairfield, Branford, Guilford, Stratford, or Norwalk. What place would you recommend??

A good night life town is a huge plus! Bars and restaurants on the water, a board walk, Dog friendly beaches, a good place for young professional singles... any of this description remind you of any listed above??

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!!! Any names of complexes would be nice to hear also.... I heard of Woodmont in Milford so far.

Thanks!

[soccerfest04]

Maybe West Haven.. The soundview at Savin rock ?

[Mike 75]

Where are you working and what is your budget?

[NewJeffCT]

that's a big range area-wise - traveling from Norwalk all the way out to Guilford is a good hour long drive. Heck, even this Saturday afternoon, it took me longer than an hour to travel up 95 from Stamford/Norwalk to out where Guilford is.

Where would you be working?

Places like Guilford and Fairfield might be pretty pricey if you get close to the beach, as well as Milford and Branford.

[Raider111]

If work is in Stamford area then Sono and East Norwalk. If Job is New Haven area then Milford.. Both have great bar/nightlife right on waterfront.

[JayCT]

You are not going to find exactly what you want all in one place. I do not really know of any "Boardwalks" in Connecticut, at least like you describe. That is more of a New Jersey shore thing. What you will find are nice small towns with some activity in their centers but they really will not be what anyone would call a good night life. For that you will have to go to a larger city like New Haven.

The area you are looking at is big (from Norwalk to Guilford) so I am not really sure where you are working. Nor do you mention a budget or what you expect for that budget. I would say your best bet is Milford or West Haven. Both towns have rentals near a beach but they likely will not be near the center of town. That is because town centers have historically been inland away from the beach and the problem areas in inclement weather. Good luck, Jay

[wolf39us]

Milford and West Haven are your best bets as already mentioned. I used to live in Milford and besides traffic enjoyed my proximity to mostly everything and for a decent price too!

For Milford, check around the beach... Gulf Beach, Silver Sands -- that kinda stuff.

I don't know much about West Haven, but the area around Jimmy's Restaurant seems nice

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by wolf39us

Milford and West Haven are your best bets as already mentioned. I used to live in Milford and besides traffic enjoyed my proximity to mostly everything and for a decent price too!

For Milford, check around the beach... Gulf Beach, Silver Sands -- that kinda stuff.

I don't know much about West Haven, but the area around Jimmy's Restaurant seems nice

Agreed. However the best beaches in Milford are probably Woodmont/Anchor and Walnut. Gulf is picturesque though, especially at sunset with the boats entering the harbor.

Both Milford and West Haven have boardwalks. Not like the Jersey Shore with amusements. In Milford, there's a wood boardwalk roughly a mile in length between Silver Sands and Walnut Beach. It's got a nature walk feel. The West Haven walk feels more like a traditional paved or boardwalk walk with people cycling, etc. That's by Savin Rock.

If you lived in the Gulf Street or East Broadway/Fort Trumbull/South of the Green section of Milford, you could theoretically walk to the beach and downtown.

You're better off getting an apartment in a house or a small complex $ wise. Check out Hotpads.com. Some bigger complexes near the water are offered by Spinnaker and Metro Star. Just Google them.

Norwalk beaches are meh, but nightlife is great. Fairfield has nice beaches, but nightlife is more limited and it's more expensive than Milford/WH. It is close to Black Rock nightlife though. Branford and east us beautiful, but quieter and more family oriented. I think Milford has the mix you want, it's just a matter of fitting your job needs.

Commute does matter, as traffic is horrendous commuting to Norwalk/Stamford - but both towns have a train station.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

Where are you working and what is your budget?

^^^^^^

Budget?
Job location?

Without knowing those things, you're just going to get "cheerleader" responses to your question.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Budget and job location?

Without knowing those things, you're just going to get "cheerleader" responses to your question.

This.