[Stylo]

I'm considering moving closer to NYC in the next year or 2.

While I love Milford, and love my proximity to New Haven, the eastern shoreline, and other points in New England, opportunities in my field in NYC are so drastically bigger, better, and with vastly more upward mobility. I'm currently commuting about 3 times a week, which is totally managable, but I may not always have that flexibility.

I'm considering Norwalk, Stamford, or some undecided locale in Westchester. The taxes are the one thing keeping me from strongly considering Westchester. I'm not interested in paying a premium for schools in Greenwich, Darien, etc.

I like the area near Rowayton and East Norwalk in Norwalk. In Stamford, would likely look at Shippan/Cove/East Side, or near Turn of River.

Want to get some opinions as I haven't spent a ton of time in Stamford or Norwalk since about 5 years ago when I worked in the area.

1. Both rank below Milford in test scores, but is the school experience and education quality really any worse?
2. Using the above criteria (not scores), how do Norwalk and Stamford fare against each other?
3. Which do you think is more likely to appreciate in value over the next 10 years?
4. Which is trending in the best direction overall?
5. Anyone know waiting times for permits at the various stations? I figure I should hedge my bets and apply now. Can always remove my name.

Budget would be a big range. Could go as low as $500k or as high as $850k.

[AMSS]

Stamford's education quality is likely better than Milford. That's not knocking Milford, just pointing out the amount of resources Stamford has. I don't know any unhappy parents in either Stamford or Norwalk...and I'd give Stamford the edge as far as schools go.

[howdydoody342]

OP, whats ur family situation? Do you have a family currently? What ages? What are u looking for?

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I'm considering moving closer to NYC in the next year or 2.

While I love Milford, and love my proximity to New Haven, the eastern shoreline, and other points in New England, opportunities in my field in NYC are so drastically bigger, better, and with vastly more upward mobility. I'm currently commuting about 3 times a week, which is totally managable, but I may not always have that flexibility.

I'm considering Norwalk, Stamford, or some undecided locale in Westchester. The taxes are the one thing keeping me from strongly considering Westchester. I'm not interested in paying a premium for schools in Greenwich, Darien, etc.

I like the area near Rowayton and East Norwalk in Norwalk. In Stamford, would likely look at Shippan/Cove/East Side, or near Turn of River.

Want to get some opinions as I haven't spent a ton of time in Stamford or Norwalk since about 5 years ago when I worked in the area.

1. Both rank below Milford in test scores, but is the school experience and education quality really any worse?
2. Using the above criteria (not scores), how do Norwalk and Stamford fare against each other?
3. Which do you think is more likely to appreciate in value over the next 10 years?
4. Which is trending in the best direction overall?
5. Anyone know waiting times for permits at the various stations? I figure I should hedge my bets and apply now. Can always remove my name.

Budget would be a big range. Could go as low as $500k or as high as $850k.

1. Based on 2014-2015 school year
Milford graduation rate is 90.8,
Norwalk 89.6%,
Stamford 87.4%

http://edsight.ct.gov/SASPortal/main.do

Milford school rank 7 out of 10
Norwalk school rank 5 out of 10
Stamford school rank 5 out of 10

I would say Norwalk and Stamford schools are bit worst than Milford but not by long shot. Norwalk and Stamford you will experience typical urban issues within the school district .


2. Norwalk and Stamford schools are the same in scores or 5-6 points off.

3. While Stamford is growing at good rate, Norwalk is rising lot of developments going on there such as new mall, South Norwalk revitalization is plan for south of train station in coming years

4. Stamford is trending more but Norwalk is catching up

5. Not Sure

6. Stamford: Springdale, Long Ridge, North Stamford, Shippan, Shippan Point,
Norwalk: East Norwalk, Cranbury, Silvermine, Strawberry Hill, West Rocks


Rowayton is very expensive prices are close to Darien

[Robert137]

Stamford schools are fine, I was very happy with the education my two children received (especially the Special Education services one of them received), and many neighborhood kids have also turned out well. It is a more "urban" environment. But most kids do just fine with that, sometimes it's the parents who are needlessly concerned. I never had reason to complain about the teachers or facilities.

I'd suggest that in Stamford, you also consider Glenbrook (east side just north of downtown) and Springdale (just north of Glenbrook). They are "in-town" neighborhoods with many houses from the 1920's and 1930's, but a lot of condos and apartments too. Your budget will go far there. Also these neighborhood are on the New Canaan branch of Metro North--which does have trains direct to Grand Central in the morning (and reverse in the evening), that is direct to Manhattan without changing at Stamford. In Norwalk, I like the area on old Route 7 south of the Merritt (called Winnipauk), going down to Route 1. There are many small restaurants and and other services right there. Seems like a nice place to live.

As far as the future, we all know how Stamford is developing. But I've been impressed with the changes in Norwalk as well. It is coming up from a lower level, so it might appreciate better, but who knows. As long as NYC stays on the map, that whole area will do well.

I didn't think that Stamford issues parking permits at the train stations--I thought it was first-come, first-serve. I may be wrong though.

Good luck!

[kidyankee764]

Stamford > Norwalk, mostly for proximity to NYC. Norwalk is 15 minutes further of a commute each way. That's an extra half hour out of your day.

You may also want to consider White Plains.

[BPt111]

Also in Norwalk/Stamford expect more car traffic than Milford everywhere. In Stamford the train come about 7 times a hour going toward NYC 2 trains from New Haven, 3 trains starting at Stamford but it NY local stops in Greenwich, Rye, Port Chester etc, 2 Amtrak trains toward Penn Station. You notice Stamford downtown area is very busy and full of young professionals

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Stamford > Norwalk, mostly for proximity to NYC. Norwalk is 15 minutes further of a commute each way. That's an extra half hour out of your day.

You may also want to consider White Plains.

White Plains or New Rochelle = 15 to 20 mins shed off commute time

[AntonioR]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I like the area near Rowayton and East Norwalk in Norwalk. In Stamford, would likely look at Shippan/Cove/East Side, or near Turn of River.

Shippan and The Cove are nice areas. East Side... its not bad, but not as nice. Keep in mind that different people have different opinions of where the East Side ends and The Cove begins. I'm of the mindset that anything closer to the shore in that part of town is The Cove. I personally like Shippan more than The Cove, but its not by much. By Shippan I mean the Shippan peninsula and Shippan Point.

Turn of River is typical CT suburbia as is everything north of Downtown. lol Consider Westover as a good Turn of River alternative, albeit shopping for essentials requires a few more minutes of driving.

Other nice suburban areas to consider are Glenbrook and Springdale.

1. Both rank below Milford in test scores, but is the school experience and education quality really any worse?

If your kids do well academically, then no doubt they will be placed in course levels where the trouble kids are not present. Some involvement in your child's education (visiting the schools, getting to know the teachers, getting an idea what the school system's goals are and how they match with what you think is best for your kids, etc) also helps. I also think people blow the school issues way out of proportion, especially in this forum.

2. Using the above criteria (not scores), how do Norwalk and Stamford fare against each other?

See response to number 1.

3. Which do you think is more likely to appreciate in value over the next 10 years?

Stamford will most likely appreciate more than Norwalk, but I think both are on the upswing. Stamford and Norwalk as inseparable, IMO. If one tanks, the other will too. The same with the booms.

4. Which is trending in the best direction overall?

I think Stamford is, but Norwalk is also going forward. I don't think the difference is big enough to merit even mentioning or taking into consideration.

5. Anyone know waiting times for permits at the various stations? I figure I should hedge my bets and apply now. Can always remove my name.

Can't help you there.

Budget would be a big range. Could go as low as $500k or as high as $850k.

You might get a tiny bit more house for the money in Norwalk, but not much.


One thing to keep in mind is that from about Fairfield things begin to change as far as culture/overall attitudes of the people is concerned. The closer you get to the NY border, the more you will find yourself with New York type of attitudes. Stamford/Norwalk is still an area of mostly nice people, but the mixture here is more pronounced than say in Milford.

[BicoastalAnn]

I second White Plains... the taxes are the lowest in the county so shouldn't be too much higher (if at all) than what you'd get in Stamford. I think the city has a bright future too.