[HumpDay]

Originally Posted by hunterseat

Thanks for all the replies. Tentative offer made. Paperwork catching up. Formal offer pending. Looks like Clinton area is where "we" are targeting. We've seen a couple acres here and there but my other half wants to be closer to where he used to do business. I just want to be where we can afford the most property. I think his business can be shifted. People want bathroom/kitchen remodels everywhere, not just in the western part of the state. But he does know the subs down there... He's a builder. We need to compromise so - hopefully something perfect will come along.

Welcome back to Connecticut

Clinton is actually pretty nice. In my standards it's quite nice, its much better than where I live now. I wish I could live by the beach. Hammonasset is actually a really fun beach to go to during the summer.

[willow wind]

OP- check zoning laws very carefully in any town you find interesting. There is wide variation in the amount of land needed to keep a horse. There are also a bunch of regulations by town in how far a barn can be from property lines and another slew of regulations on how you have to deal with manure.

Also check with the town assessor on whether they choose to tax horses. Many assessors consider horses as personal property and tax them as such. Not all towns do, but presently most will. So you want your horse to be valued under $ 1,000 as you can then be exempt from taxation. No one checks too deeply on the value you put on the horse.

[Shorty458]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Cromwell is a good location. It is centrally located but it is not 20 minutes from anywhere. Hartford is about 20 minutes depending on traffic but New Haven and Waterbury are more like 30 minutes as would be eastern Fairfield County. Even the shoreline is about 30 minutes. Still it is convenient. Also, if you are looking to rent and schools are not a top priority, look at the Westfield section of Middletown which is adjacent to Cromwell. There are a lot of condos and apartments in the area. Jay

My husband and I actually signed a lease at one of those apartments yesterday. Most of them allow dogs, which is great since we have a 50 lb dog. Really nice area. Close to everything, but yet it's tucked away and at the same time it's quiet around the complex and you hear a lot of birds.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Shorty458

My husband and I actually signed a lease at one of those apartments yesterday. Most of them allow dogs, which is great since we have a 50 lb dog. Really nice area. Close to everything, but yet it's tucked away and at the same time it's quiet around the complex and you hear a lot of birds.

Can you tell us which complex? We get people here all the time looking for apartments that accept larger dogs. There just are not too many around. Jay

[Shorty458]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Can you tell us which complex? We get people here all the time looking for apartments that accept larger dogs. There just are not too many around. Jay

We signed at Madison Northwoods... really nice there. Also, their sister company across the street allows dogs - Madison Chestnut Hill. There are a few others there as well that allow dogs. Windshire, Middletown Ridge and Middletown Brooke. We looked at them at all. Nothing is included in the rent.... I know that Northwoods and Windshire have gas heat (bonus if you lose heat in winter!) Chestnut Hill is electric. I don't remember about the others.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Shorty458

We signed at Madison Northwoods... really nice there. Also, their sister company across the street allows dogs - Madison Chestnut Hill. There are a few others there as well that allow dogs. Windshire, Middletown Ridge and Middletown Brooke. We looked at them at all. Nothing is included in the rent.... I know that Northwoods and Windshire have gas heat (bonus if you lose heat in winter!) Chestnut Hill is electric. I don't remember about the others.

Great. I will try to remember that the next time it is asked. Jay

[hunterseat]

Hey HEY! Eyes over here!

Thanks for the suggestion willow wind. I made note of that and my realtor will be watching out for zoning.

So we've run the emotional gamut on where to buy. As soon as I agreed to his way he started looking where I wanted to go in the first place.

Still awaiting the paperwork - my current employer messed up something LAST SEPTEMBER and I found out while going through this whole job switch process. Ya think you could have told me LAST SEPTEMBER?? So they say "2 weeks to fix it" and my new employer is like: okay, if it's fixed by the end of next week, how soon can you be here??? Nice to be wanted. I want to start the 18th, as I sit here with nary a box packed. When we got to this place we had 2 suitcases and 3 pets so I can probably throw it together quickly.

Luckily we have a one-man-labor-force flying down. It was going to be a fun visit. Now it's going to be "here, grab the other end of that couch and help me load it in the truck" But that young man will be in Marine basic in another month or so. He can handle it.

Once the truck is packed I get to drive it with two pets and pulling the Isuzu all the fricken way to CT. But I'll visit a friend overnight on the way. THANKFULLY - a bright spot. Please pray there's a CD player for audio books. Thanks.

The guy and his son will be following the coast and hitting every beach from GA to CT. *not jealous, not jealous, not jealous* Ah well.

OH I know what I wanted to ask. I saw one property that was wooded and I said "we can have it cleared" and the guy says "It's not like it is in Mississippi. You might have to consult with an arborist...etc" No kidding? You can't cut trees on your own property??

[nep321]

If I was married and settled down, I would love to live in eastern CT. It's just very peaceful, more affordable, scenic, laid back and untouched. A little backwards sometimes, but I think it's extremely charming.

[willow wind]

OP- if you are planning on clearing land to put a horse or two in the back yard, probably better to buy already pastured land.

This is CT- we have lots of inland wetlands. Wetland in CT is based upon soil type and not standing water or damp area on a lot. If you're looking at clearing land, you need to get hold of and correctly read wetland and soil maps. Generally you can't clear wetlands. You also have to watch out how far you have to place structures ( buildings and fences) from wetlands. Don't chance it- not worth the cost of getting caught ( your neighbors will complain) and then being fined and having to restore the land to its original condiiton.

Some towns also have tree wardens who determine what you can do with trees that grow along the side of a road. Want livestock- easier to find something already set up for them. Even overgrown pasture that can be brush hogged is better than starting from scratch. This is also New England- new pasture takes three years without animals on it to get established. Trying to clear and put horses on it immediately means nothing but a permanent mud hole.

[hunterseat]

Great info, ww

I am SO by-the-books in every way possible. Those are all things I will consider. Another thing is local ag experts. I want to plant indigenous plants, etc. After hundreds of acres in Kentucky.... poor horse, ya? We won't be able to afford too much property. I'll have to get a feed supplier, too, but the horse will definitely come at a later date. Not moving with us.