JonLongisland

My wife and I are 35yrs old with a 5 & 3 yr. We live on Long Island and want to relocate to CT. We LOVE Ridgefield, but it is expensive. Can you suggest a town like Ridgefield without the price tag? Things are important to us are:

1. Excellent rated public schools
2. A town like ridgefield with quaint village, trendy stores and cool people.
3. We want to be within 15 mins of the town but feel like we are living in the forest. we want to live on an acre + with lots and lots of trees.

*I work from home, so commuting is not an issue.

Thanks, Jon

Jenski

Ridgefield is cute and quaint, which translates to pricey. You might try the Danbury area. I don't think going into New York will help, that's a really pricey area too. Norwalk isn't so bad but it's not exactly quaint. Bethel, CT is supposed to be fairly reasonable. Good luck!

aggiemom

My brother was looking at a house in Shelton which had 3 acres, a pond and was about 2500 sq feet. I think it was only in the mid to high $400's. The schools were okay, but ultimately they decided to stay in Fairfield where they had better teachers for special needs kids.

I would try Danbury or Bethel as Jenski says.

i_am_kane

Research Trumbull, CT. If the children's education is important, Trumbull schools rank high, and the percentage of graduating seniors is also high. (My children are grown, so I don't have the specifics.)

The Merritt Parkway runs through Trumbull, I-95 is 5-10 minutes further south from the Merritt.

Good tax base, New England atmosphere the town, two public pools for both adults and children, 18 hole and 9-hole golf courses (Tashua Knolls and Tashua Glen), large shopping mall on the edge of town: Anchor stores are Macy's, Lord & Taylor and Filene's. Mostly acre lots; however, there is a small section (Long Hill) that has smaller lots.

If you have any specific questions that I may be able to help you with, let me know.

Judy24

I notice that you posted 3 days earlier that you were relocating to NC.

Just curious why you switched to CT, since they're not exactly next door to each other.

i_am_kane

Troll?

If so, I got taken!

BTilke

My brother-in-law and his family moved from Ridgefield to Boston last year. Danbury is nice but not as nice as Ridgefield...which is why it's cheaper. In that part of CT, if you want the charm and character of Ridgefield, you can't get around having to pay Ridgefield prices, esp. if you need an acre of land with lots and lots of trees AND still be within 15 min. of town.
Since you can work from anywhere, suggest you switch coasts and consider a place like Port Townsend or Langley in WA state. Or even Portland, OR, once you get outside the ultracool Pearl District and NW 23rd area, you could find a house in the 500k range (v. 750k and up in Ridgefield) and spend the savings on private schools.

acolossale

Not in Fairfield County so the price tag may be lower,the shoreline towns of Guilford and Madison are wonderful. Great schools, quaint towns, shoreline, and New Haven is minutes away for wonderful restaurants, theatre, and museums for kids.

BostonGal

I grew up in CT, have family in Bethel, and it's such a cute, charming town. Danbury, while close in location, does not have any charm at all. I don't know anything about the town, but New Milford is also close in location.
Southbury and Newtown are great towns, but they are probably as pricey as Ridgefield.
If you're willing to drive a bit (say 20mins) you can try Woodbury or even Middlebury. That's right near where I grew up. Watertown is also very charming, with a decent school system.

Ryan

An old colleague of mine lives up near Mystic. He has two young children and loves the area.

tmk04

Come and see Madison, CT..It is fabulous..20 min North of New Haven on the shoreline. 19,000, Top schools..wonderful place for children..Not stuffy..family oriented and very quaint town..If I can help let me know.