[Anyi23]

Hello,

Our family of 4 which includes a 5 year old and a 1 year old, are planning to buy property in the next few months in either Cortlandt Manor or Stamford, CT. We narrowed our search to these two towns for the following reasons:

1. Proximity to NYC since husband will commute to Bronx everyday, and I will need to take Metro North for at least twice a week for work.

2. These two towns are more affordable when compared to other towns in Westchester, NY or CT


While we love the two towns, Stamford seems to interest us more (it’s just a vibe thing). Nevertheless, I
keep hearing that the Stamford public schools do not perform well. And while we are not looking for a town with top rated schools, we do aim to get our two boys into “very decent schools” with adequate resources. Since it seems that Cortlandt public schools perform better (Lakeland, specifically, due to the foreseeable tax issue with the Henry Hudson schools) with we may be more inclined to opt for moving into Cortlandt.

We don’t want to be too superficial when selecting our town; we do want to opt for what is best. Are we overlooking other things?

Thanks in advance!

[dazzleman]

These are two very different places, so it's hard to do an apples to apples comparison.

Stamford is a city, with 3 basic types of areas - urban housing, working class/older housing, and upscale/suburban type housing in North Stamford. Which section would you be looking at?

Cortlandt Manor will be suburban, so most comparable to North Stamford, though possibly not as upscale.

Based on schools alone, with kids the ages of your kids, I would not choose Stamford.

[CTartist]

Originally Posted by Anyi23

Hello,

Our family of 4 which includes a 5 year old and a 1 year old, are planning to buy property in the next few months in either Cortlandt Manor or Stamford, CT. We narrowed our search to these two towns for the following reasons:

1. Proximity to NYC since husband will commute to Bronx everyday, and I will need to take Metro North for at least twice a week for work.

2. These two towns are more affordable when compared to other towns in Westchester, NY or CT


While we love the two towns, Stamford seems to interest us more (it’s just a vibe thing). Nevertheless, I
keep hearing that the Stamford public schools do not perform well. And while we are not looking for a town with top rated schools, we do aim to get our two boys into “very decent schools” with adequate resources. Since it seems that Cortlandt public schools perform better (Lakeland, specifically, due to the foreseeable tax issue with the Henry Hudson schools) with we may be more inclined to opt for moving into Cortlandt.

We don’t want to be too superficial when selecting our town; we do want to opt for what is best. Are we overlooking other things?

Thanks in advance!

I was born and raised in Stamford but I now live in Trumbull CT. My husband and I moved for a better school system. The schools in Stamford are not the greatest. The schools in CT cities unfortunately are not the greatest frankly. If Cortland Manor is suburban I am sure the schools must be much better. I looked up some info for you but you can do further research on other school ranking sites too.

On this site you can see that Cortland Manor gets good ratings--higher stars.
https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NY/c...or/search.aspx

The first few schools in this list are charter schools and everyone is trying to get their kids into them so it is a gamble. The relatives and friends that are still in Stamford send their kids to private schools.
https://www.schooldigger.com/go/CT/c...rd/search.aspx

Stamford does have a good vibe though, I can attest to that. I had fun growing up there but the schools were much better years ago.

[SteveM85]

If you and your kids WANT a great public education in CT, you'll get one, that's a gaurantee, anywhere. We're top 3 in the nation. I personally have and am seeing it. Thats a personal family decision best researched away from CT Forum pundits save for member 7Wishes here. He/she has taught in both counties and knows the ins and out. Pick his/her brain if he/she posts here. The rest will just tell you don't do it or this or that elementary is ok without any proof of experience.

I don't know Cortland. If you're living in NYC, Stamford will seem like a suburb. Trees and forests are in abundance north of DT. The Long and High Ridge Rd corridors, Westover, Turn of River, outlying streets in and around Glenbrook and Springdale would be ideal places to start. If you want more land, look futher up in North Stamford. If you want New England charm and character look elsewhere altogether, but that will come at a cost.

Best

[Stylo]

These places aren't really comparable. I'm not sure your budget, but as mentioned, you're comparing a small suburb to a city and there's a significant gap in school performance. That's not to say Stamford schools will be bad, they're not.

Keep in mind taxes in CT towns tend to be much lower.

If you're willing to commute further you could get the low taxes, excellent school, and affordability in CT. Wilton and Ridgefield come to mind. Easy access to 684 for the Bronx from Ridgefield. From Wilton, Merritt and combo of backroads to Bronx isn't terrible. Both have good train access, from South Norwalk or from Katonah.

[CTartist]

What is your budget for a house? We might be able to give you different suggestions in CT.

[Anyi23]

Thanks to all for the feedback! It’s much appreciated! Our budget is $500,000. Stamford is in our list due to proximity to NYC. My husband will drive to the Bronx daily and I will need to take the metro-north regularly. If other CT towns come to mind, send them in please! Thanks!

[CTartist]

Originally Posted by Anyi23

Thanks to all for the feedback! It’s much appreciated! Our budget is $500,000. Stamford is in our list due to proximity to NYC. My husband will drive to the Bronx daily and I will need to take the metro-north regularly. If other CT towns come to mind, send them in please! Thanks!

Where in the Bronx (Street) does he go to?

How long is the commute/drive from Courtlandt Manor to your husbands job?

You could get into Fairfield which is a great town/vibe and it has excellent schools. I you like Stamford you would most probably like the vibe of Fairfield. That was a town I was looking into for a house before I bought one in Trumbull.

[SteveM85]

Unless youre ok with a small cape (and it may not be turnkey) in a denser neighborhood, 5 is low for even Stamford in this market and you don't want to be driving to the Bronx daily further from there, believe me. Whatever you do don't go east. You would have to go out PAST Fairfield to get anything decent for 5 and under. Maybe Danbury or the area.

I'd stick with Cortland or Westchester if possible.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Anyi23

Thanks to all for the feedback! It’s much appreciated! Our budget is $500,000. Stamford is in our list due to proximity to NYC. My husband will drive to the Bronx daily and I will need to take the metro-north regularly. If other CT towns come to mind, send them in please! Thanks!

Ridgefield or New Fairfield.

500k seems low for Cortlandt too