Danbury, Connecticut

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Jul 25th, 2002, 07:06 AM

Nancy

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Danbury, Connecticut

Is anyone here familiar with Danbury, CT?
I know this is a travel forum but my husband is considering a job interview there and we're from the southwest. I'm worried about the small town issues.
It looks to be about 70,000 people, but is close to NYC and Hartford.
Is that enough to make the area liveable if you're a city person?
Is it a white collarish or blue collarish town?
Any help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Jul 25th, 2002, 07:15 AM

melissa

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Hi Nancy-
I live near Stamford, CT. Danbury is more of a blue collar town. It certainly has some lovely areas and housing is much more affordable there than in other parts of Fairfield County. Candlewood Lake is a beautiful lake and park right in Danbury.
You would be close to NYC from Danbury. Probably a 1 and 1/2 drive or so, at the most. I think it might depend on what kind of "city person" you are. If NYC is your favorite place in the world, Danbury may be a bit smallish for you. Fairfield County is a nice place to live. I personally like being close to the water, close to the city, and close to the mountains.
Good luck!

Jul 25th, 2002, 07:22 AM

Nancy

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Thanks so much, melissa.
Exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

Jul 25th, 2002, 07:41 AM

Chris

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Nancy - i haved lived in an around Danbury for the past 10 years. I now live in NYC. I think blue collar would be an unfair sterotype consideing it is in one of the wealthiest counties in the US. In suburbs of other US cities Danbury would be a fairly wealthy area. Anyhow i think you just have to take a look for yourself. everyones standards are differnt. put it this way- there are very few beat up pick ups but there are also very few jags and porches. If posh neighborhood are what your looking for - you got it - some of the wealthiest communities in the US within a 20 mile radius - Ridgefield, Wilton, Redding, Weston, New Cannan, N.& S. Salem NY and the list goes on the farther you get.Greenwich,Darien,Pound Ridge,Bedford and all of Westchester County.$$$$$$$ Danbury is well equipped with it fair share of good facitilites, a recently restored downtown historic district, a beautiful public golf course (Richter Park -top 50 public in US) a newly opened hockey rink, a huge mall with all the top named stores and the convience of being only 60 miles from manhattan. (in addition to what Melissa said about Candlewood Lake) If the east coast appeals to you - Working in Danbury and living somewhere between NYC and Danbury is a pretty good deal. You would commute the other direction of everyone else. I live 7 miles from midtown manhattan and my girlfriend commutes to her school in danbury and like the time to herself. (1 hour) So in conclusion, if NYC is where you want to be Danbury is a pretty good place to work - no one said you had to live there!

Jul 25th, 2002, 07:46 AM

Chris

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one final note - you will have no small town issues in Danbury but if you move to one of the super-wealthy small towns of Westchester or Fairfield county you will MOST DEFINATELY have small town issues! with the exception of Greenwich pretty munch all the other places i listed. Good Luck!

Jul 25th, 2002, 07:56 AM

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I'm very surprised to hear Danbury described as "blue collar." I'm from a different county in CT, and Danbury seems a bit on the upscale side to me.

Jul 25th, 2002, 10:37 AM

Nancy

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You guys are great!
Thanks again very much for your opinions.
I was really hoping to hear what Chris said. I love the idea of living close to NYC but in or near a smaller town, but I don't want to sacrifice having the nice neighborhood and shops and such that I have now.
I'm more open minded now, so I guess we should go check it out.
Thanks again. You've helped a lot.

Jul 25th, 2002, 07:58 PM

Martha

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Danbury itself is working class/middle class. Apart from the mall, its just ok.
Its about 1 and 1/2 hrs to NYC.
There are other nearby towns that are much more sophisticated and upscale.
Brookfield has a terrific Y and crafts center for ex. Many nice homes. There are also homes of greatly varying appeal on beautiful Candlewood lake. Nearby Newtown is also more upscale.
Ridgefield is not that far away and is beautiful. The upper Westchester communities of Chappequa, Pleasantville and the like are very nice and smack between Manhattan and Danbury. 45 min by train, ie to Manhattan and maybe 35-40 to Danbury by car. Be open-minded !