Hello all! Husband and I may be moving this summer, and New Haven (Yale) is one of our options. Can you direct me to some good sites to visit for research? And what is your honest opinion of living there? Obviously, we're used to a lower cost of living in TX, so that will be a big deciding factor. We have two dogs, and would really like a house, but I think it might be too expensive. Also, what's the "culture" like, in terms of restaurants, theatre, etc.?

Any advice/information is very welcome! Thank you in advance!

New Haven is extremely diverse - some very good areas/suburbs and some you definitely would not want. Better areas will be big $.

I think the only way to really do research is on the ground - but the local newspaper should give you a stat on some real estate info.

Also- do you/are you planning kids soon. If so - school district info is vital.

Yes, school districts will play a role in our decision.

I love Yale and the food and culture in that area is awesome, but I would never choose to live in that area - high crime, high cost of living, high taxes. I grew up in that area and have lived in Bridgeport, Milford, and Shelton. Shelton was the only one I found to be tolerable but eventually wanted out of there, too.

nyt makes a good suggestion that you should actually go there for a scouting report.

I would look at towns north of New Haven, perhaps Hamden or Cheshire or go west to Branford, Madison -- both nice beach towns. These are lovely suburban towns -- Connecticut is a great place to live. New Haven has great restaurants and theatres and easy access to NYC. Nice homes would start at $350,000 and up up up!

While I'm not from there, my wife is from Bridgeport and we go back all the time to visit family & friends. As mentioned, Shelton would be a nice choice, but it will all get down to how much of a drive you want.

Do take a scouting trip! And, just a tip, if you like pizza, you have to try Pepe's...anyone in New Haven will be able to tell you where. It's pizza from heaven.

TexasGirlTravels,

I just ran across this thread. How are you doing on your research?

(A curious Connecticut Yankee.)