[Northeastcouple]

My wife and I were looking at homes in Putnum County NY for quite some time, and even though we really like the area,the taxes are a little higher than we are comfortable paying..( it seems that the average small 2 to 3 bedroom house on a half acre property is roughly 6k in taxes). Quite a few people recommended going over the border into western CT for a better deal.

I dont know that much about Connecticut except I used to go into Stamford and Norwalk when I was younger , loved both places but I hear they have changed a lot since the 15 years ago when I used to frequent them.. Would like to hear about Danbury, Brookfield and Ridgefield among others...

Also a lot of people tell us that CT is not really for the middle class that the towns are either filthy rich, or ghetto poor..curious what locals think about this, and how much is truth and how much fiction...

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!!

[Seattle's Best 28]

Originally Posted by Northeastcouple

My wife and I were looking at homes in Putnum County NY for quite some time, and even though we really like the area,the taxes are a little higher than we are comfortable paying..( it seems that the average small 2 to 3 bedroom house on a half acre property is roughly 6k in taxes). Quite a few people recommended going over the border into western CT for a better deal.

I dont know that much about Connecticut except I used to go into Stamford and Norwalk when I was younger , loved both places but I hear they have changed a lot since the 15 years ago when I used to frequent them.. Would like to hear about Danbury, Brookfield and Ridgefield among others...

Also a lot of people tell us that CT is not really for the middle class that the towns are either filthy rich, or ghetto poor..curious what locals think about this, and how much is truth and how much fiction...

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!!

Most towns in western CT are either upscale and affluent or poor (most are upscale but there are about 3 or 4 very poor inner city ghettos). There are a few towns that are middle class but be careful because a lot of people look down on them here (for no good reason). Stratford, Hamden, Naugatuck, Danbury, and Beacon Falls are all nice and diverse middle class towns. Beacon Falls is less diverse and mostly white people out of the list.

Danbury is diverse and middle class but is expensive. There are lots and lots of illegal immigrants there but the outskirts are really nice. The towns around Danbury are expensive thou but I don't know how much you want to spend.

Generally tho, CT is either very rich or very poor. It has the biggest wealth gap and smallest amount of middle class people of all the places I moved and lived in. But taxes will be less, which is why lots of the rich people live here. They are CHEAP. lmao

[brasscitybluenwhite]

Taxes less? In Connecticut? Really?

[HelloSam]

The OP should do better on property taxes in CT than in NY state. Brookfield and Danbury are a decent bang for the buck, taxes-wise. Sherman is a great deal (because there is no high school). You may also want to check out New Fairfield.

I moved to Brookfield a few months ago, and honestly don't feel like it has any real sort of identity of its own. I love my house, the location is fairly convenient for my life, I just don't feel like "wow I love Brookfield" for anything that's really special or unique about the town itself. I know other residents feel differently.

[jdhall1]

Sherman taxes are affordable, but the home prices are quite high. You might want to look at New Fairfield as well as New Milford.

[usmcfamily]

Originally Posted by Northeastcouple

My wife and I were looking at homes in Putnum County NY for quite some time, and even though we really like the area,the taxes are a little higher than we are comfortable paying..( it seems that the average small 2 to 3 bedroom house on a half acre property is roughly 6k in taxes). Quite a few people recommended going over the border into western CT for a better deal.

I dont know that much about Connecticut except I used to go into Stamford and Norwalk when I was younger , loved both places but I hear they have changed a lot since the 15 years ago when I used to frequent them.. Would like to hear about Danbury, Brookfield and Ridgefield among others...

Also a lot of people tell us that CT is not really for the middle class that the towns are either filthy rich, or ghetto poor..curious what locals think about this, and how much is truth and how much fiction...

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!!

Hi! I live in Monroe which has a wide range of housing. We have some new million dollar neighborhoods and some older, smaller home neighborhoods. We have "white collar" and "blue collar" families. We love the mix of people, schools, and we love all the town has to offer. Newtown, Bethel, New Fairfield, Brookfield are very similar, good schools and have a vast range of homes, as well. Ridgefield is a lot more expensive and while you may be able to find a "fixer upper", the town consists of mainly upper class, wealthy families.

Our inner cities, unfortunately do suffer. However, I wouldn't put Danbury or Stamford into that mix (Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford). Danbury has some beautiful neighborhoods. Good luck

[MomOfToo]

If you were looking in Putnam you should look into New Fairfield, CT. It borders Southeast/Brewster, taxes are low compared to Putnam, the people are friendly and not snotty at all. Its Middle Class, teh schools are good and you get more bang for your buck here than Putnam....I love it here and I am a NY'er...lots of Ny'ers here make you feel right at home.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by brasscitybluenwhite

Taxes less? In Connecticut? Really?

Yes, even though property taxes are also assessed on personal property (READ: cars, boats, motorcycles, etc.).

Don't forget, our 6-percent sales tax is pretty decent, too, compared to New York's variable rate which can be over 10 percent after county and city taxes are levied. We have more exemptions, too.

Taxes on gasoline are higher though.

FYI - in an effort to narrow budget deficits, there's a proposal to allow towns to add to the state sales tax. I don't know if this will pass. Also, an additional 50-cent tax on a pack of cigarettes is in the works. It might increase to an additional $1 since that's what some of our neighboring states are proposing.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Rich Lee

Yes, even though property taxes are also assessed on personal property (READ: cars, boats, motorcycles, etc.).

Don't forget, our 6-percent sales tax is pretty decent, too, compared to New York's variable rate which can be over 10 percent after county and city taxes are levied. We have more exemptions, too.

Taxes on gasoline are higher though.

Hard to believe but taxes in Connecticut are less than New York. That is why New Yorkers like to move to Connecticut. We do not have the multiple layers of government (State, county, municipal, village, etc.) to fund. Yes, we pay taxes on vehicles but, Rich Lee noted, even with that the taxes are lower. Gas taxes are higher but we do not have tolls on our roads like New York does either.

As for towns to look at, it is all a matter of how far you want to be and your price range. Good towns to look at include Bethel, Newtown, Brookfield and New Fairfield. All have very good schools and would be good places to live. Good luck, Jay

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Hard to believe but taxes in Connecticut are less than New York. That is why New Yorkers like to move to Connecticut. We do not have the multiple layers of government (State, county, municipal, village, etc.) to fund. Yes, we pay taxes on vehicles but, Rich Lee noted, even with that the taxes are lower. Gas taxes are higher but we do not have tolls on our roads like New York does either.

Many upstate taxpayers held/hold the opinion that the bulk of the taxes were going to NYC!