[kksk]

Hi everyone,

I would really, really appreciate advice on where our family should live. Here are some facts:

1) Spouse will work in Greenwich.
2) Would need a VERY short commute to Greenwich (ideally, no more than 15 minutes). Hours of work would be in the Greenwich office at 7:30 and leave after 7 PM.
3) Money is not an issue at the moment (so, it's okay if real estate is high); We would like at least a 4 BR.
4) One 2 year-old child (and, maybe one on the way) - so, great preschools and small kindergarten facilities are most important to us now.
5) And, lastly...we are an Asian family. So, SOME diversity would be nice...But, I'm not sure if this is really possible give numbers 1 through 4 above.

Any advice? We would be relocating to CT from another city and coming in with blindfolds at this point. I could use any help I can get. Thanks to you all in advance.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by kksk

Hi everyone,

I would really, really appreciate advice on where our family should live. Here are some facts:

1) Spouse will work in Greenwich.
2) Would need a VERY short commute to Greenwich (ideally, no more than 15 minutes). Hours of work would be in the Greenwich office at 7:30 and leave after 7 PM.
3) Money is not an issue at the moment (so, it's okay if real estate is high); We would like at least a 4 BR.
4) One 2 year-old child (and, maybe one on the way) - so, great preschools and small kindergarten facilities are most important to us now.
5) And, lastly...we are an Asian family. So, SOME diversity would be nice...But, I'm not sure if this is really possible give numbers 1 through 4 above.

Any advice? We would be relocating to CT from another city and coming in with blindfolds at this point. I could use any help I can get. Thanks to you all in advance.

Well, Greenwich is a very nice place and that's an understatement. However, if you don't want Greenwich for whatever reason - New Canaan and Darien are top notch small towns and border Greenwich.

As for diversity - you are in a NYC bedroom community, that is the last thing you need to worry about.

[kksk]

Thanks JViello! I have 2 follow-up questions.

1) Are Greenwich, Darien, and New Canaan all equals in terms of housing prices?

2) If I were to characterize Darien and New Canaan as Tier 1 cities (on a purely cost basis and close proximity to Greenwich), then what would you (or other readers) characterize as a Tier 2 city (again, based purely on cost and close commuting distance)? In other words, are there any other towns that are not more than 15 minutes away from those mentioned that are less expensive to live in? Just curious...

[debct]

Originally Posted by kksk

Hi everyone,

I would really, really appreciate advice on where our family should live. Here are some facts:

1) Spouse will work in Greenwich.
2) Would need a VERY short commute to Greenwich (ideally, no more than 15 minutes). Hours of work would be in the Greenwich office at 7:30 and leave after 7 PM.
3) Money is not an issue at the moment (so, it's okay if real estate is high); We would like at least a 4 BR.
4) One 2 year-old child (and, maybe one on the way) - so, great preschools and small kindergarten facilities are most important to us now.
5) And, lastly...we are an Asian family. So, SOME diversity would be nice...But, I'm not sure if this is really possible give numbers 1 through 4 above.

Any advice? We would be relocating to CT from another city and coming in with blindfolds at this point. I could use any help I can get. Thanks to you all in advance.

If money were no object and my husband worked in Greenwich I would just live in Greenwich.

[Dockside]

I agree with debct. Live in Greenwich. Excellent public schools, great beaches, great services. Homes are expensive but the mil rate is low.

Darien is pleasant, ok beach, but colorless. New Canaan is a bit more rural, no beach, and you will drive your kids everywhere. It will be longer than a 15 minute commute, especially during rush hour.

These are nice towns, but look at Greewich first, it will have everything you want. And it's a beautiful town.

[westguy22]

New Canaan is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I'd highly suggest living here...it's worth the commute.

Greenwich, in my opinion, is very commercialized and busy. It's a nice town with great schools, but I would live in New Canaan and commute.

Just keep in mind that these are big money towns (among the wealthiest in the United States) and some people (not the majority) can be unfriendly.

Let us know what you decide!

[Dockside]

Originally Posted by westguy22

New Canaan is absolutely BEAUTIFUL.
Just keep in mind that these are big money towns (among the wealthiest in the United States) and some people (not the majority) can be unfriendly.

New Canaan is certainly beautiful, and you will get a certain...attitude, in both towns. Greenwich has Route 1 and I 95 cutting through it, making it busier than New Canaan.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by kksk

Thanks JViello! I have 2 follow-up questions.

1) Are Greenwich, Darien, and New Canaan all equals in terms of housing prices?

2) If I were to characterize Darien and New Canaan as Tier 1 cities (on a purely cost basis and close proximity to Greenwich), then what would you (or other readers) characterize as a Tier 2 city (again, based purely on cost and close commuting distance)? In other words, are there any other towns that are not more than 15 minutes away from those mentioned that are less expensive to live in? Just curious...

I have to correct my post, my mind was in another place. Darien does not border Greenwich, but very close. Darien is sandwiched between Stamford and Norwalk. So one town over.

New Canaan is about 15 miles from Greenwich going from center to center.

Tier 2 I would consider Shippan Point in Stamford, and also the North side of Stamford to meet your 15 minute requirement. If you went a little further Westport would also be included for me.

[Magdalena1]

Originally Posted by kksk

Hi everyone,

I would really, really appreciate advice on where our family should live. Here are some facts:

1) Spouse will work in Greenwich.
2) Would need a VERY short commute to Greenwich (ideally, no more than 15 minutes). Hours of work would be in the Greenwich office at 7:30 and leave after 7 PM.
3) Money is not an issue at the moment (so, it's okay if real estate is high); We would like at least a 4 BR.
4) One 2 year-old child (and, maybe one on the way) - so, great preschools and small kindergarten facilities are most important to us now.
5) And, lastly...we are an Asian family. So, SOME diversity would be nice...But, I'm not sure if this is really possible give numbers 1 through 4 above.

Any advice? We would be relocating to CT from another city and coming in with blindfolds at this point. I could use any help I can get. Thanks to you all in advance.

Hi,
I would consider Greenwich or North Stamford only. If your husband is going to work in Greenwich then why would you want to live in Darien or New Canaan? From/to Darien he probably would have to take i-95 that has lots of traffic in peak hours. New Canaan is a very nice town, but again he will have to deal with traffic on Merrit Pkwy. So the best option for you would be to choose Greenwich, or North Stamford-which is as beautiful as Greenwich (consider that schools are better in Greenwich)
Last, don't worry about diversity- here you will find many different races, cultures, habits etc. This area is very diverse and people are very friendly.

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[Stellaj]

If diversity is important to you I would consider North Stamford.