[Livefree4]

Can anyone advise anything to newcomers to CT? We were looking into relocating here from NJ by next spring/summer. Looking for nice places around Mystic or maybe more west. But not too far from the ocean.

We have 2 little kids, so good schools are very important! Also in need of friendly neighbors.
Thank you in advance.

[SwiftCreek]

Avoid Mystic if good schools are important (part of Groton school district). Set your sights on Madison, Guilford, and Branford. These towns are still on the water and have renowned school systems.

My favorite is Madison. It's right out of a picture book. Madison has Hammonasset Beach in town which is quite nice. Madison also has a beautiful downtown. I don't think you'll go wrong in any of the towns I mentioned though.

[tstetinin]

I agree re: Madison, Guilford, Branford. These towns have a lot to offer. The schools in Madison and Guilford are ranked high, there is a lot to do, and the neighborhoods are great - very friendly. There are newcomer clubs in each town -- very welcoming.

[weesy68]

We are about to move to Stratford CT. What tipped the balance for us and made us decide to move there was the day we spent at the Stratford Festival. We were just amazed at how friendly and welcoming every single person was that we spoke with. I realise the schools are not the highest scoring in CT, Fairfield for example scores higher and is still on the coastline. But we are very comfortable with our decision, and can't wait to actually move in. We are relocating from the Bronx.

[Livefree4]

Congrats! Its tough to find a place you can call home.

Originally Posted by weesy68

We are about to move to Stratford CT. What tipped the balance for us and made us decide to move there was the day we spent at the Stratford Festival. We were just amazed at how friendly and welcoming every single person was that we spoke with. I realise the schools are not the highest scoring in CT, Fairfield for example scores higher and is still on the coastline. But we are very comfortable with our decision, and can't wait to actually move in. We are relocating from the Bronx.

[Livefree4]

Originally Posted by tstetinin

I agree re: Madison, Guilford, Branford. These towns have a lot to offer. The schools in Madison and Guilford are ranked high, there is a lot to do, and the neighborhoods are great - very friendly. There are newcomer clubs in each town -- very welcoming.

I checked out the schools on www.greatschools.net and there were some posts by parents for Madison and Guilford schools. Well, the posts refer to staff not being friendly, and not open to parent's participation. Is it true? I mean, the info was posted in 2004. Is it still like that?

[nico7]

A recent graduate of Daniel Hand High School (Madison) explained to me that there had been a group of parents acting as ringleaders who effectively strong-armed the public teachers and administrators whose job it is to run the school system. The result, he said, was a sort of manufactured success. The school system pushes the kids to surpass the standards of the state as much as possible. The unintended consequence of the parental strong-arming is that people are tired of being bossed around by pushy parents. In the end, though, the kids get a good education and are prepared for college.

I graduated from Guilford in 1997. Guilford did not push the kids so much, and the students who were talented (academically or otherwise) received lots of encouragement, support, instruction, or whatever they needed to explore their talents. On the whole -- and this is my opinion -- the school system is not as uptight as Madison's, and its graduates are equally successful.

As with other schools in the region, if a specific curricular need is unmet (for instance, your kid wants to learn Gaelic), some students arrange to take individual courses at Yale.

If the school systems are unreceptive to parents' well-intended suggestions, it's probably because there are lots of well-meaning parents suggesting things. There are a few teachers and administrators in every town who just aren't friendly people. As a whole, I found the teachers to be excellent.

[happywifey]

Originally Posted by weesy68

We are about to move to Stratford CT. What tipped the balance for us and made us decide to move there was the day we spent at the Stratford Festival. We were just amazed at how friendly and welcoming every single person was that we spoke with. I realise the schools are not the highest scoring in CT, Fairfield for example scores higher and is still on the coastline. But we are very comfortable with our decision, and can't wait to actually move in. We are relocating from the Bronx.

Great move Weezy.

[Livefree4]

Originally Posted by nico7

As with other schools in the region, if a specific curricular need is unmet (for instance, your kid wants to learn Gaelic), some students arrange to take individual courses at Yale.

If the school systems are unreceptive to parents' well-intended suggestions, it's probably because there are lots of well-meaning parents suggesting things. There are a few teachers and administrators in every town who just aren't friendly people. As a whole, I found the teachers to be excellent.

Thank you for a great reply! It really helped!

How about people in those towns, are they receptive to transplants? We are looking for friendly neighbours.

[bethec1972]

You may also want to look into Old Lyme if you like smaller town. They have great schools (but full day kindergarten which I don't like personally) and have nice town beaches-for the sound. I'm more of an ocean person That being said, if I lived closer to the sound, I'd be there constantly over a pool!