[mjoseff]

I work from home and am looking to buy in CT as a first time home buyer. I live in North Guilford now with my girlfriend and we need a bigger place.

I feel as though I have too many choices and am trying to narrow it down. Some of the other posts in this forum have been *very* helpful, but I guess I need more details.

I realize Darien and Westport would be ideal, but I think I'm short about $2 million. Our budget is around $325K and I'd like to be close to I-95/15 as I "commute" to NYC and Boston when needed.

We're a young professional couple looking for a SFH or condo (min 2BR) in a low crime area. Any suggestions?

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by mjoseff

I work from home and am looking to buy in CT as a first time home buyer. I live in North Guilford now with my girlfriend and we need a bigger place.

I feel as though I have too many choices and am trying to narrow it down. Some of the other posts in this forum have been *very* helpful, but I guess I need more details.

I realize Darien and Westport would be ideal, but I think I'm short about $2 million. Our budget is around $325K and I'd like to be close to I-95/15 as I "commute" to NYC and Boston when needed.

We're a young professional couple looking for a SFH or condo (min 2BR) in a low crime area. Any suggestions?

Norwalk might be a viable option for you. It's a city but it's a smallish city (approx 80,000) and relatively safe and there's lots to do here - especially in South Norwalk (or as it's increasingly called, SoNo ) Stamford might provide you with something in your price range. It's very safe (ranked 3rd safest in US in 2007), with lots of corporate headquarters here, a booming downtown and many housing options, but the cost of living can be lethal here. You will see what I mean if you resarch this city.
If you want a more suburban location, you may enjoy Fairfield. It's a very nice, very preppy, very old-money (and expensive) town. You should be able to find something within your price range.

[HelloSam]

I think in Stamford, Norwalk, and Fairfield you could get a condo for $325K. Or a serious fixxer-upper. Which may be fine for the OP.

You'll get way more bang for the buck in Milford, and still have the nice seaside town and location you need. Then it's also easy access to New Haven for the Boston train.

[JayCT]

If you are planning on having kids and schools are important then Fairfield would be good. It has excellent schools, parks and a lot of stores and restaurants. You should be able to find something in your price range. Another option would be Stratford or Milford. Both nice towns with good schools and access to New York. Good luck, Jay

[Hartford Medic]

I'm very partial to West Hartford for a number of reasons, although for your purposes I'd think it is probably too far away from NYC.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by mjoseff

I work from home and am looking to buy in CT as a first time home buyer. I live in North Guilford now with my girlfriend and we need a bigger place.

I feel as though I have too many choices and am trying to narrow it down. Some of the other posts in this forum have been *very* helpful, but I guess I need more details.

I realize Darien and Westport would be ideal, but I think I'm short about $2 million. Our budget is around $325K and I'd like to be close to I-95/15 as I "commute" to NYC and Boston when needed.

We're a young professional couple looking for a SFH or condo (min 2BR) in a low crime area. Any suggestions?

If I could live anywhere in the state...it would probably be in the Northwest Corner or the lower CT River Valley. (Chester, Essex, Old Lyme etc).

When I go to Chester I feel like I should leave right away so I don't screw up the town...it's a freakin Kinkade painting in real time/life.

[ambarstone]

Best bang for your money is probably Stratford and then Milford. There is also Trumbull but there is little there in the form of condos. If no kids soon, maybe check the Black Rock section of Bridgeport-I wish I had as it seems fun and walkable. Fairfield has a number of fixer uppers for around 300K but they go fast and usually need a ton of work. It also has a bunch of condos available, including my own, below 300K that are nice . Just keep in mind that this price range in ff is always far away from the Metro North. Good luck with your search!

[uctalum01]

I'm biased being a life long resident, but I'd stay right here in Branford.

[cottonwood2420]

Stonington and Wethersfield.

[mjoseff]

Originally Posted by uctalum01

I'm biased being a life long resident, but I'd stay right here in Branford.

I really like the shoreline area (if for no other reason than the Durham Fair ), and it's centrally located to NYC and Boston (~2hrs to each city; 3 during rush hour). I'm just trying to keep an open mind.

I looked around New Haven and everywhere I looked, including Westville was crime ridden. Several of my friends have had their cars broken into for their GPS systems or even their change. My girlfriend had her Jeep broken into twice and it was in a "secure" parking lot. I never had one problem with crime in Manhattan and I'm looking for the same level of comfort.

If I'm going to pay $250+ for a 2BR SFH or condo along the shorline *without* being close to the water (read: a few blocks), I may as well look in Fairfield too. <--- this is my logic.