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I would never say Brooklawn is unsafe. The crimes you mentioned can and do happen in any town. If though you and your wife is not used to hearing about these things in nearby areas, then maybe you should be looking in a more quiet less urban town. Jay
In the same city yes, but within a mile of your home is different. The logic of 'something bad can happen anywhere' can be used to justify living anywhere.
In the same city yes, but within a mile of your home is different. The logic of 'something bad can happen anywhere' can be used to justify living anywhere.
As mentioned there is a stigma associated with a close border to Bridgeport where 100% of the perpetrators originate so lower prices than the rest of town. Many who live there will say it's all hunky dory and great, and others will just avoid it and look elsewhere, personal preference.
Brooklawn Park is beautiful. I love the architecture of the homes there. As a kid I would ride my bike through the neighborhood admiring all the stunning homes. As you noted, homes there are priced lower than other parts of Fairfield due to the stigma of being so close to Bridgeport. In reality that stigma is a bit over blown since some of the nicest parts of Bridgeport border Fairfield. We do have a regular here on this forum who lives in Brooklawn and he loves it. He has a beautiful home that he paid significantly less for than if it was located in another part of town. Whether it would be worth it or not for you is your decision.
There are not many parts of Fairfield that would be similar to Brooklawn Park. The area was built as an upscale neighborhood for Bridgeport's most wealthy families about 100 years ago so you will find very well built homes with high quality architecture that you would not find in other parts of town. As was noted, there are some homes in parts of Stratfield like Toilsome Hill that are close but still not quite the same. Same could be said for Fairfield Center or the lower University neighborhood. Southport obviously has many stunning homes too but you are going to pay top dollar for them. Good luck, Jay
I think you're talking about me. I love the area and even putting price aside, I liked the inventory of homes and their property better there than in other parts of town. The crime rate is not higher here than in the rest of the town.
I think you're talking about me. I love the area and even putting price aside, I liked the inventory of homes and their property better there than in other parts of town. The crime rate is not higher here than in the rest of the town.
Appreciate the contribution Dazzleman. To ask a more pointed question, just as my wife and I are sorting through things, do you feel that the crime rate for a $1MM home in this part of town exceeds that of a $1MM home elswhere in Fairfield?
Any concern, if I had one, with spending $1mm in Brooklawn wouldn't be around crime - there's not really much of it anywhere in Fairfield. For me it'd be that I think there are nicer areas and homes to buy for that price level, and I like being closer to town and the beach, etc but now we're just talking personal preference.
Appreciate the contribution Dazzleman. To ask a more pointed question, just as my wife and I are sorting through things, do you feel that the crime rate for a $1MM home in this part of town exceeds that of a $1MM home elswhere in Fairfield?
I think if you like the area (location, housing stock, etc) and find a house you like, then go for it. Everything else really is just opinion and preference.
I would think twice about paying that much for Brooklawn. The school district and crime/proximity to Bridgeport make it a tough resell. A lot of the crime is non violent but car theft and burglaries are probably, per capita, higher than other parts of Fairfield. I would also be careful to watch for flood zones. I liked homes there too but you can find nice ones in Stratfield and Upper Stratfield. Actually I count three beautiful new construction homes, probably 4000 sq ft, that they just built by the lake area. All right at or below 1 million. There is a solid buffer from Bridgeport but 12m from Fairfield center. Sorry, I am all about resale. Several people I know got eaten alive during last bubble.
I would think twice about paying that much for Brooklawn. The school district and crime/proximity to Bridgeport make it a tough resell. A lot of the crime is non violent but car theft and burglaries are probably, per capita, higher than other parts of Fairfield. I would also be careful to watch for flood zones. I liked homes there too but you can find nice ones in Stratfield and Upper Stratfield. Actually I count three beautiful new construction homes, probably 4000 sq ft, that they just built by the lake area. All right at or below 1 million. There is a solid buffer from Bridgeport but 12m from Fairfield center. Sorry, I am all about resale. Several people I know got eaten alive during last bubble.
Can appreciate this, no need to apologize. I try to view buying a home as a transfer of assets from cash to real estate. Therefore if five dollars of cash turns into real estate, I want to know that real estate is worth five dollars if I need to turn it back into cash. Obviously transaction costs, upkeep, property taxes, etc... chew away at that, but comparable to yourself my preeminent goal (outside of safety) is making sure I'm not paying 10 dollars for a 5 dollar bill.
Cheers. You will find something great for 1 mil and Fairfield is a great town overall. Having just been through the process, I would hesitate to believe any realtor mouthing about "hot areas" or "gentrification" in Fairfield. That is bubble talk. Stick to the solid areas that have weathered the ups and downs. Fairfield ain't Brooklyn or Hoboken. There's no hipster movement coming 50 miles from NYC. They love to push Blackrock area but still pretty dicey in terms of location. Lots of stores and restaurants come and go. Probably plateaued on that side of town.
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