[Stylo]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

...and that’s before I bring up how inconvenient both can be to big box shopping. The family I know in Madison drives to Meriden or West Farms.

For what? There’s outlets, a Walmart, Home Depot, a Costco, Kohl’s etc nearby. And lots of big box in North Haven too. Malls are dying so I can’t imagine anyone basing proximity to a mall as a reason to live somewhere.

People fawn over Redding, Litchfield towns too—no different.

[ryanthegoldengod]

South Windsor deserves it. Very nice town. They are factoring in affordability. I feel like a lot of you folks are high earners where that doesn't come into play as much. Plus it's convenient to Hartford, Manchester, West Hartford. Finally, East Of The River is much better.

Jay's list of better towns illustrates the point. Many of those towns lose to South Windsor on bang for you buck. Many also lose on location convenience.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stylo

For what? There’s outlets, a Walmart, Home Depot, a Costco, Kohl’s etc nearby. And lots of big box in North Haven too. Malls are dying so I can’t imagine anyone basing proximity to a mall as a reason to live somewhere.

People fawn over Redding, Litchfield towns too—no different.

It’s really difficult to make the argument that M and G are convenient. They aren’t - at all. They’re far from plentiful shopping, airports and are a good 25-30 from the nearest mid sized employment center.

People here do not fawn over Redding the way they do over Madison and Guilford. Not even close.

Anyway, guys, it’s my opinion. Let it be.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

It’s really difficult to make the argument that M and G are convenient. They aren’t - at all. They’re far from plentiful shopping, airports and are a good 25-30 from the nearest mid sized employment center.

People here do not fawn over Redding the way they do over Madison and Guilford. Not even close.

Anyway, guys, it’s my opinion. Let it be.

Sorry Kid but when I have brought up the lack of access to major shopping in the Branford/Guilford/Madison area in past thread, you pointed to the stores that Stylo mentions and to the two outlet centers nearby. This means that there is pretty much everything you need nearby but for a dyehard mall shopper the area is lacking. To most that would not be a deal breaker.

It’s not unlike the Farmington River Valley where you have most needed shopping along Route 44 but is a trip to Westfarms Mall. The trip from Simsbury to Westfarms is 12 miles but takes 20-25 minutes because it’s on back roads. The trip from Guilford to the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford is 20 miles but take about the same time because it’s all highway. The big box stores on Universal Drive in North Haven are 18 miles away and a similar travel time. It’s not ideal but to me the charm and beachy atmosphere of Madison and Guilford override the minor inconvenience of not being near a mall or having a large selection of big box stores. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Sorry Kid but when I have brought up the lack of access to major shopping in the Branford/Guilford/Madison area in past thread, you pointed to the stores that Stylo mentions and to the two outlet centers nearby. This means that there is pretty much everything you need nearby but for a dyehard mall shopper the area is lacking. To most that would not be a deal breaker.

It’s not unlike the Farmington River Valley where you have most needed shopping along Route 44 but is a trip to Westfarms Mall. The trip from Simsbury to Westfarms is 12 miles but takes 20-25 minutes because it’s on back roads. The trip from Guilford to the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford is 20 miles but take about the same time because it’s all highway. The big box stores on Universal Drive in North Haven are 18 miles away and a similar travel time. It’s not ideal but to me the charm and beachy atmosphere of Madison and Guilford override the minor inconvenience of not being near a mall or having a large selection of big box stores. Jay

Perhaps in the past - but I have since visited our old family home on the central CT shoreline before we got rid of it. It’s quite removed. A town resident even commented on this thread confirming those thoughts.

Either way, like I said, we need to let others have their opinion on here without constantly replying to prove them wrong. Agree to disagree.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Stylo

North Guilford is beautiful. The mix of areas makes these towns really special. Also, the majority of the population in each are near 95. If you want to make use of the great schools but be in secluded area, you have the choice. No one buying in these towns are forced to choose. Lots of variety.

I agree and the same thing could be said about north Madison. I love driving both Route 77 and Route 79 between Durham and the shore, especially this time of year. Lake Quinnopoug is particularly pretty. These roads are both semi rural with some interesting homes here and there. There is no ugly sprawl, gasoline alleys or commercial strIps. I get that not everyone wants a rural or semi rural area but that does mean the area is mediocre and these two routes are anything but that. Jay

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I agree and the same thing could be said about north Madison. I love driving both Route 77 and Route 79 between Durham and the shore, especially this time of year. Lake Quinnopoug is particularly pretty. These roads are both semi rural with some interesting homes here and there. There is no ugly sprawl, gasoline alleys or commercial strIps. I get that not everyone wants a rural or semi rural area but that does mean the area is mediocre and these two routes are anything but that. Jay

Also, Rt 148 - one of the best roads in the state.

[RiskReturn]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Also, Rt 148 - one of the best roads in the state.

Route 148 actually never passes through Madison. It's almost entirely in Killingworth/Chester.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by RiskReturn

Route 148 actually never passes through Madison. It's almost entirely in Killingworth/Chester.

Yeah, I know, but a beautiful region in general.

[bridgerider]

Came to the CT forum hoping to see this article and all of your comments. Planning a relo to CT & have been doing my homework. Spent the past weekend in CT & MA and knocked a few CT towns off my list...and added a few more.