[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by nrod7169

I would look into Cheshire.

I have always liked Cheshire and felt it was very underrated on this forum, but in this case, I’m not sure I’d suggest it. It’s not a very walkable community.

[CTartist]

Originally Posted by CoffeeCheesecake

Well as the title says, we are moving from Boston to CT. Starting job in New Haven, looking for a place to raise a family, reasonable commute time (25 min or so), good schools, coffee shops, restaurants. Would prefer a neighborhood feel (somewhere with sidewalks and the sort...). Any ideas?

I have thought about Guilford, Madison. Orange and Woodbridge seem very woodsy for us. North Haven? Wallingford? Other thoughts?...

Also any opinions on maybe renting first just to get a feel and maybe buying later?
Not sure what to do... oh decisions decisions decisions...

"Would prefer a neighborhood feel (somewhere with sidewalks and the sort...)"

Go take a look at Woodmont in Milford and Stony Creek in Branford. Both are near the beach and have a nice community feel. Both towns are nice and seem what you many be looking for. The little downtown areas of both towns are probably most walkable and also a nice vibe of all the towns you have listed.

Guilford and Madison have nice walkable downtowns too and the schools are excellent. I am looking at Branford, Guilford and Madison for retirement and want a nice community vibe too.....plus beaches.

I am not sure what your budget it but since you are coming from Boston I assume you should not have a problem getting into any of the towns you mentioned and Branford/Milford.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by CTartist

Go take a look at Woodmont in Milford and Stony Creek in Branford.

Great neighborhoods. Really anywhere on the coast in either town fit what they're looking for. Woodmont, Gulf St/Gulf Beach, and Trumbull Ave areas are among my favs in Milford. The Indian Neck area of Branford is really nice too.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Great neighborhoods. Really anywhere on the coast in either town fit what they're looking for. Woodmont, Gulf St/Gulf Beach, and Trumbull Ave areas are among my favs in Milford. The Indian Neck area of Branford is really nice too.

Agree. Having lived near Stony Creek, it’s an amazing little village that’s typical New England. It doesn’t have much in the way of coffee shops and restaurants, and there are really no sidewalks in the surrounding neighborhoods walkable to Thimble Islands Road. Downtown Branford would be better if they’re looking for bigger, but Stony Creek can’t be beat for seaside quaintness.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Agree. Having lived near Stony Creek, it’s an amazing little village that’s typical New England. It doesn’t have much in the way of coffee shops and restaurants, and there are really no sidewalks in the surrounding neighborhoods walkable to Thimble Islands Road. Downtown Branford would be better if they’re looking for bigger, but Stony Creek can’t be beat for seaside quaintness.

Yeah. They are tough neighborhoods to find real estate, but all around Branford and Milford downtowns are great.

In Milford, it's unique as some of the best neighborhoods are walkable to downtown. In many CT towns, the best neighborhoods tend to not be near walkable areas.

South of the Green area down to Fort Trumbull, up into the duck pond areas, and Gulf St are standouts you can walk to coffee, restaurants, parks, train station, etc.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Yeah. They are tough neighborhoods to find real estate, but all around Branford and Milford downtowns are great.

In Milford, it's unique as some of the best neighborhoods are walkable to downtown. In many CT towns, the best neighborhoods tend to not be near walkable areas.

South of the Green area down to Fort Trumbull, up into the duck pond areas, and Gulf St are standouts you can walk to coffee, restaurants, parks, train station, etc.

I’d say Milford has the best in terms of real estate walkable to things to do. Branford is a close second. Wallingford is also an option, which I always forget about.

[hvexpatinct]

Just chiming in to agree with others - Milford would be my first choice, followed by Branford and Wallingford.

Certain neighborhoods in Cheshire have that kind of walkability, but in general it’s much quieter and more spread out.

[TheseGoTo11]

The problem around Greater New Haven is that more woods equals better schools. Guilford/Madison close to the town centers might be the best compromise, maybe parts of Orange.

[WestRiverTraveler]

I was just back in my old town of Old Saybrook and thought about this thread. A lot of the town is very walkable and connected by sidewalks. From where I grew up, I walked to all three schools, restaurants, shops downtown. I would walk to work at Stop & Shop. It's a bit further, but it's still commutable to New Haven. I agree renting is the right move to start, but you might want to take a look at Old Saybrook.

[MR09]

Consider Wallingford. It has the charm of a great New England community with easy access to major metropolitan areas (New Haven, Hartford, Stamford, and NYC); the town offers great access via two interstates and a commuter rail line. Great public and private schools (esteemed Choate Rosemary Hall located right in town) with a wide array of amenities all make Wallingford an attractive place to live and raise a family. The real estate is well priced with a wide variety of small, medium, and large to estate-sized homes. The mill rate is low relative to most of Connecticut and the town has its own electric company. The East Side of town is more developed with many beautiful estates that overlook the vineyards and countryside and offer beautiful, breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The crime rate is low and the town boasts many outdoor spaces that are well maintained.