[jplain]

Originally Posted by wielisfamily

I am sure you can imagine how frustrating it is to see the large number of Pfizer employees relocating to Groton and New London. My husband wasn't even offered a different position in the company. The locals are not happy about this.

Keep in mind that relocating to CT from MI wasn't a part of our plan either.
I hope the locals will give us a warmer welcome than I'm "hearing" in your post.

[sugarlips]

Jplain,

If you are already unhappy about this move, maybe you should try to stay where you are or move to another state that you'd like better. I would love to be able to move back to CT but we can't right now. So, I am a bit biased.

However, I can tell you from personal experience that you have to try to make the best of it or desperately try to find another option. I wasted an entire year of my life being mad and miserable about a move that I didn't want to make even though it was better for our family. I could have spent the time making friends and enjoying where I was but instead I stayed bitter and pined for somewhere else.

As far as the attitude you sense from other posters, can you blame them? A little emphathy is in order here. Having to uproot your family and move (again) isn't easy. I know....I've lost count of the number of moves we've made. Yet, you have a job and are moving to a nice area of the country (even if you don't think so). The attitude you are sensing is only natural when you are complaining about having to move for a job at a company that layed off her husband. I'd say that you got the better end of the deal.

Instead of being disappointed by the lack of a warm welcome, maybe offer some sympathy for the job they lost. After all, it could have been yours.

I wish I could help you with information on that part of CT but I have limited knowledge. I know that my favorite town in that area is Madison. Others will be able to tell you if the commute is bad. Madison is a quaint yet bustling little beach town with a town square, safe neighborhoods and good schools. I know that Martha Stewart used to have a home there (maybe she still does).

[jplain]

Originally Posted by sugarlips

If you are already unhappy about this move, maybe you should try to stay where you are or move to another state that you'd like better.

Where did I express unhappiness? After adjusting to the shock and reality of needing to leave a place I am quite attached to, I've become quite optimistic that I'll love our new town. At least I was until the image of unhappy hordes of locals was planted in my mind.

As far as the attitude you sense from other posters, can you blame them? A little emphathy is in order here.

Actually, that was exactly my point. Empathy goes both ways. The poster I was responding to is apparently able to avoid the necessity of uprooting her family. That's great, and it is what I would wish for everyone, myself included.

Perhaps it would help to keep in mind that the people relocating to CT had nothing to do with the decision-making. Besides, ill feelings toward newcomers is hardly constructive.

[Viralmd]

If it's any comfort, your NYHQ colleagues welcome you to the East coast....

[sugarlips]

Jplain,

my apologies...I mistakenly mixed up your posts with forcedtorelocateagain's posts who seemed unhappy about the move.

I don't live in CT anymore but I wish you the best on your move. I'm sure that you will find some good things about living there.

[Soxfan Mom]

I have worked in the New London area for years and graduated from East Lyme High School, so I feel pretty qualified to offer suggestions. If I were moving here to work at Pfizer, I would buy in Waterford. Nice town, low taxes, almost everything you need within a 10-minute drive.

The public schools in Connecticut are excellent. I wouldn't waste my time researching SAT scores or the dreaded mastery test results. Bear in mind that the participation rate for SATs in Connecticut is among the top three in the nation per capita. By definition, that is a good sign of a huge college-bound population. There is something to be said for EVERY school system around here, even those that have been subject of some derogatory chatter such as New London or Norwich. If you have an artistically gifted child, there is simply no better high school in the region than Norwich Free Academy.

We lived in Clinton for seven years; great town. The only reason we moved is we were having another child and could get more bang for our buck inland. I think it was on this thread -- I can't seem to find it -- that someone said they were advised to avoid Clinton. Nonsense. I watched my neighbor's three children have a wonderful educational experience there; one is now an engineer, another is graduating from a fine college this year and another is doing great at UConn, majoring in a field where the jobs will come to her.

Lyme is beautiful, but bear in mind that it is a pretty remote place. I grew up in a Lyme-like town, and I was bored out of my skull when I was a teenager. I am firmly convinced that towns like that are dreams for parents but not so much for kids.

[mzb]

Hi, I will be moving to connecticut next june and have a preschooler.Although my hubby will be working in Bridgeport-we do not plan to live there. Our choice of housing depends on where we can find good schools. We cannot afford expensive private schools-what are our options? Pl help.

[JayCT]

You probably should post a new thread but I will reply anyway.

Welcome to Connecticut. The good thing about Connecticut is that the public education system is excellent. It is always considered to be one of the best in the country. Please note that generally each town has its own education system with some of the smaller towns participating in a "regional" system. This keeps the systems are fairly small and helps keep the quality high.

Many of the towns in the Bridgeport area have excellent schools. Fairfield, Easton and Trumbull are among the best in the state. Also very good are Shelton, Stratford, Milford and Monroe. Which town is best for you will depend on your budget, needs and likes and dislikes. Fairfield and Easton are very pricey, as is Trumbull. More information would help us steer you in the right direction. Jay