[Johnsy84]

Hey all,
I know this thread has discussed in length, many times but
I may be moving to Connecticut in the next few months and I am
Not sure what areas to look at for apartments. The job
I may be getting is located in Wilton and want to be within a 30 minute drive.
I know the area is very expensive but don't mind spending the money to get
A nice place. I want to find a place that is active with a ton of stuff to keep busy, but safe. In other threads that I have read asking the same question had a lot of discussion about living in New Haven, any thoughts on that?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[kidyankee764]

New Haven to Wilton is not a 30 minute drive, and during rush hour, it might be more than an hour door to door.

If you're looking for urban living, you may want to consider some areas of Norwalk. South Norwalk is mostly urban and has lots of nice restaurants and bars. Just be careful of the exact block you choose as it can go from Nice to iffy in just a few hundred yards. Good luck.

[Mr_250]

Do you have a housing budget in mind? That is the easiest way to narrow down certain areas.

[Johnsy84]

Originally Posted by Mr_250

Do you have a housing budget in mind? That is the easiest way to narrow down certain areas.

I don't want to spend more than $2800/month.

[mlassoff]

I'd look at Stamford. You'd be making a reverse commute. Stamford is a small city, with a lot going on. There is an active nightlife, many restaurants and pubs and pretty good shopping. Downtown Stamford also has a mall, a UCONN campus, and many small shops and ethnic restaurants.

You could find a luxury apartment for your budget in Stamford.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

I'd look at Stamford. You'd be making a reverse commute. Stamford is a small city, with a lot going on. There is an active nightlife, many restaurants and pubs and pretty good shopping. Downtown Stamford also has a mall, a UCONN campus, and many small shops and ethnic restaurants.

You could find a luxury apartment for your budget in Stamford.

Unfortunately the days of a lower FFC I-95 reverse commute are gone. The OP would experience stop and go traffic on 95 from Norwalk to Stamford. The Merritt would be easier, so that would have to be their route of choice - only issue is it would require them to take city streets from North Stamford to southern Stamford as it seems like they would prefer to live downtown.

[Johnsy84]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Unfortunately the days of a lower FFC I-95 reverse commute are gone. The OP would experience stop and go traffic on 95 from Norwalk to Stamford. The Merritt would be easier, so that would have to be their route of choice - only issue is it would require them to take city streets from North Stamford to southern Stamford as it seems like they would prefer to live downtown.

I assume the traffic in and around Stamford can be pretty bad?

[Raider111]

A commute from NH would be unbearable to say the least. With that budget you can easliy be within a 2-10 min commute (Avalon apts on Rt 7 for example) and safety is not an issue. There is more than enough dining, nightlife, shopping in the whole area and you are allowed to cross town borders to enjoy everything the area provides within 5-20 minute drives non-rush hour. If you want to do the walkability thing than Sono and Downtown Stamford would be the places to look at. As far as traffic goes in Stamford, I have to go there every Saturday and can't even begin to describe what I experience on the streets there.

[Johnsy84]

Originally Posted by Raider111

A commute from NH would be unbearable to say the least. With that budget you can easliy be within a 2-10 min commute (Avalon apts on Rt 7 for example) and safety is not an issue. There is more than enough dining, nightlife, shopping in the whole area and you are allowed to cross town borders to enjoy everything the area provides within 5-20 minute drives non-rush hour. If you want to do the walkability thing than Sono and Downtown Stamford would be the places to look at. As far as traffic goes in Stamford, I have to go there every Saturday and can't even begin to describe what I experience on the streets there.

Thanks for the info. I'll try looking at those Avalon apartments and in Norwalk. I like what I've seen of Stamford in my research but I don't want to have to add an hour in to each drive to and from work.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Johnsy84

I assume the traffic in and around Stamford can be pretty bad?

It can be brutal. 95 in Stamford/Norwalk is one of the most congested highways in the country and living in Stamford can easily put you over your 30 minute commute requirement. As I said, the Merritt between Stamford and Norwalk is a little less congested but your commute will still likely be 30 minutes, at least. You might want to check it out for yourself to see if it would be worth it.

Other than Norwalk, parts of Fairfield or Westport may interest you (though the commute from Fairfield would also be pushing the 30 minute maximum) Check them out, too.