[Raider111]

Originally Posted by lazylghtng

Not looking to throw an entire industry or profession under the bus. My father spent his entire career on Wall Street (although it was a very different time) so I get it. By the same token, aren't certain stereotypes born out of reality? Not to be presumptuous, but I'm sure your husband and his friends would be the first to admit to many sad truths that exist within the "hedge fund" stereotype. I've venture to guess that prob had a little something to do with why you and your neighbors who are part of "that crowd" decided to settle in Ridgefield rather than Greenwich et al. Certain towns attract a certain type of person and it is often palpably reflected in how those folks comport themselves. I can tell you that there is plenty of money in Sag Harbor, too, but - on balance - people act differently than those in East Hampton (i.e. sense of entitlement and 'tude). Obviously, there is a lot of generality in this thread with plenty of exceptions to be made so prob best to read between the lines. Again, did not mean to offend.

If the hedge fund thing really strikes a nerve, then maybe consider other places, but I still think Ridgefield pretty much checks off all of your boxes.

Add the Dog and Pony to the nice restaurants listed prior.

[lazylghtng]

Originally Posted by contador

The behavioral nuances of the local socio/economic classes didn't factor into our decision. Price, house condition, and school district were everything.

We bought in Ridgefield because we had one weekend to look for housing, and the only affordable house that was big enough in decent condition was in Ridgefield. It's no showplace; it was just a 70s tract house that had avocado green carpet and dark mass-produced paneling. We were abruptly moved from down south where housing is much less expensive, so we had to take the best of what was available in our limited price range. It's still no beauty, but we've fixed it up pretty well over the years, and it's proven to be a nice family home in a nice family neighborhood. No regrets.

Well then, sounds like you lucked out re: "behavioral nuances."

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by lazylghtng

Not looking to throw an entire industry or profession under the bus. My father spent his entire career on Wall Street (although it was a very different time) so I get it. By the same token, aren't certain stereotypes born out of reality? Not to be presumptuous, but I'm sure your husband and his friends would be the first to admit to many sad truths that exist within the "hedge fund" stereotype. I've venture to guess that prob had a little something to do with why you and your neighbors who are part of "that crowd" decided to settle in Ridgefield rather than Greenwich et al. Certain towns attract a certain type of person and it is often palpably reflected in how those folks comport themselves. I can tell you that there is plenty of money in Sag Harbor, too, but - on balance - people act differently than those in East Hampton (i.e. sense of entitlement and 'tude). Obviously, there is a lot of generality in this thread with plenty of exceptions to be made so prob best to read between the lines. Again, did not mean to offend.

Maybe in the 1970's, your opinions about towns/personalities might have some truth. In 2016, there are a wide array of jobs in the region and, even in Darien/Greenwich/New Canaan, you're much more likely to encounter residents who don't work on Wall St. than those who do. And FWIW, having lived in the area my whole life, people move to Ridgefield over Greenwich for one reason only (aside from work commute): cost. What is 650k in Ridgefield would be $1.3m in Greenwich. They don't do it because of the "hedge fund crowd".

[Henry10]

Originally Posted by contador

Umm, my husband and some of our neighbors are "that crowd." You'd be happy to know how down-to-earth & unpretentious they are. Just working class/middle class guys who made good, still believing that middle class living is the sweet spot. Please don't stereotype.

It's a free country. OP can stereotype all he wants. You stereotyped yourself.

You could have bought in Bridgeport and taken kids to private school, with savings from home purchase and property tax. Why didn't you?

Man is about to drop 2 mill, he can think anything he wants, without worrying about the PC crap.

[lazylghtng]

Originally Posted by Raider111

If the hedge fund thing really strikes a nerve, then maybe consider other places, but I still think Ridgefield pretty much checks off all of your boxeS

I live full-time in NYC so I have a decent tolerance for jackholes of every strata. I'm not looking for purity, just less visible/obnoxious/flagrant attitude.

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by lazylghtng

I live full-time in NYC so I have a decent tolerance for jackholes of every strata. I'm not looking for purity, just less visible/obnoxious/flagrant attitude.

Understood, personally never experienced that in Ridgefield but I dont live their either.
Now Darien and NC I have a lifetime of experience with and know what your talking about.

[contador]

Originally Posted by Henry10

It's a free country. OP can stereotype all he wants. You stereotyped yourself.

fair enough...

You could have bought in Bridgeport and taken kids to private school, with savings from home purchase and property tax. Why didn't you?

because we'd had enough of that in New Orleans, which is like Bridgeport but with better restaurants and bars and Mardi Gras. Besides, Ridgefield is closer to work.

Man is about to drop 2 mill, he can think anything he wants, without worrying about the PC crap.

Defending the "hedge fund crowd" isn't exactly PC. So you can untwist your knickers now.

[lazylghtng]

Originally Posted by contador

Defending the "hedge fund crowd" isn't exactly PC. So you can untwist your knickers now.

You came out swinging in your original post defending the "hedge fund crowd." I kindly addressed your objection and sanctimonious reprimand with consideration and sensitivity while maintaining my honest feelings. Your subsequent response failed to acknowledge all of the above nor suggest any effort to build a constructive dialogue or find common ground. Instead, your tone remained pissy. And now you are admonishing another poster who dared challenge you? To quote the great Bill Murray, "Lighten up, Francis."

[Henry10]

Originally Posted by contador

Defending the "hedge fund crowd" isn't exactly PC. So you can untwist your knickers now.

I personally can't relate to OP's "hedge fund crowd" reference, hence my use of "quotation marks."

Yet, OP is a grown man, with wife and kids, and has done well for himself, and is looking to buy in somewhere.

So it's not my (or your) place to moralize with him. He is looking for advice on towns, not to get a session with C-D shrinks.

So let's help him with what he thinks he wants, not what you think he should want.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by lazylghtng

You came out swinging in your original post defending the "hedge fund crowd." I kindly addressed your objection and sanctimonious reprimand with consideration and sensitivity while maintaining my honest feelings. Your subsequent response failed to acknowledge all of the above nor suggest any effort to build a constructive dialogue or find common ground. Instead, your tone remained pissy. And now you are admonishing another poster who dared challenge you? To quote the great Bill Murray, "Lighten up, Francis."

And rightfully so. The first person to make generalizations regarding towns/attitude was yourself. Fairfield County is a place where you get what you give, as seen here.