[CTbrooktrout]

Considering renting in Brookfield, CT which is just north of Danbury.

Was wondering how the commute is from there to downtown Stamford by car? Google maps says 50-55 minutes. Not sure how accurate that is given traffic.

Has anyone done this commute by train to Stamford station?

Many thanks!

[ChrissieWatkins]

What time of day? We are in Weston, near Georgetown (close to Wilton/Ridgefield/Rt. 7) and it takes 30 minutes to get to the Stamford train if I leave at 6:30. That would put you at 50 minutes or so, depending how close you are to (but generally I am in Danbury in 20-25 mins.) But if you are leaving later, I think it will take you MUCH longer.

[CTbrooktrout]

I'd like to be in Stamford by 8:30AM so I can walk from train to the mall area on Tresser Blvd and be at work by 9AM. I leave work at 5-7 depending on the days. How's the afternoon commute?

[Stylo]

The commute is pretty bad. I'm from that area and the people I know that commuted to Stamford were/are miserable. You're entering the Merritt/95 at its busiest point when you're done with Route 7, which is slow/maddening. You can take backroads but it's going to be well over an hour and lots of stop signs/traffic lights.

Train is not good. Slow/infrequent. You'd be spending at least 15-20 minutes in just 84/backroad traffic to get to the Danbury station from Brookfield. You're looking at the 7:26AM train, which is a little over an hour. You'd want to leave Brookfield no later than 6:55 in case you hit traffic. For comparison, the train from Stratford is twice as fast and runs 5x as often.

Driving home from Stamford to Brookfield at that time could easily take you well over an hour, possibly 90 minutes on bad days.

I seem to remember from previous posts that you're younger with no kids? If so, there's no reason for you to rent in Brookfield. It's one of the dullest towns in CT for young people. Nothing to do in the area. Moving was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I'd recommend finding a town on the New Haven train line to rent. If you're budget conscious, Black Rock, Stratford and Milford are all good choices. The train runs more often and is much quicker than from Danbury.

[CTbrooktrout]

Thanks for the feedback on the train service as that was looking as the more practical choice if there is one. I definitely do not want it to make me miserable.

You're right, mid 20's, no kids but do have a fiance.

I'll look into the area between Fairfield and Milford. Do any complexes come to mind? I was thinking the Avalons maybe or Spinnaker.

Finding something under 1600 with all utilities (heat, electric, water, whatever else they usually charge for) is my budget.

[Stylo]

Yeah, Fairfield > Milford is a much better choice IMO for commuting to Stamford, as well as a place to live for a young couple. The train is so much quicker and more frequent. You could potentially get stuck with a 70 minute ride home to Danbury depending on when you leave, then the 15-20 minute drive home. A commute that long and you might as well work in NYC. One big reason I made the move was the better train system for current and future employment, as well as being in-between 2 major cities (Stamford and New Haven).

Avalon is pricey, might not be able to find something for that price.

Spinnaker has a lot of really nice apartments, and most are in walking distance to the train station. Downtown's a great place to live. If you don't need anything bigger than 1BR, I believe you may be able to swing your budget. Worth emailing them. What's your timing? There's 2 new complexes being built downtown, but I don't think they'll be done til the end of the year.

Here's some more:

Fairfield Homes for Rent - Fairfield Houses for Rent - Fairfield, CT Rentals Real Estate - Realtor.com®
Stratford Homes for Rent - Stratford Houses for Rent - Stratford, CT Rentals Real Estate - Realtor.com®
Milford Homes for Rent - Milford Houses for Rent - Milford, CT Rentals Real Estate - Realtor.com®

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by CTbrooktrout

Considering renting in Brookfield, CT which is just north of Danbury.

Was wondering how the commute is from there to downtown Stamford by car? Google maps says 50-55 minutes. Not sure how accurate that is given traffic.

Maybe an hour in free flowing conditions (basically well out of working commute hours).

I'd budget 1.5 to 2 hours during rush hour, and you will begin to hate it rather soon.

Sorry; it's a rough commute by car.

[ffldresident24]

BUILD SUPER 7!!!!!!!!!!!! wilton is a little pain in the a$$ isn't it...

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by ffldresident24

BUILD SUPER 7!!!!!!!!!!!! wilton is a little pain in the a$$ isn't it...

Amen. Although I don't know if it would solve the biggest problem in this commute: Merritt/95 from Norwalk to Stamford.