[acidtone]

Hi guys. I am seeking a little advice on what neighborhoods I should stay away from in Waterbury when Apartment hunting.

I am looking to move to CT from NJ for my new job, but I am trying to keep my costs down. I have 1 kid who is elementry school aged and we are looking for a 3 bedroom. Waterbury looked low cost and I drove by there a few time in the past on my way to Hartford.

I have lived in many places before which most people would consider rough. Currently I live in Jersey City, NJ (Bergen/Lafayette). So Waterbury doesn't scare me honestly. I have lived in NY, Boston, New Bedford, MA, Chicago, and New Haven. I'm concerned about my kid naturally. I have seen some mixed opinions about Waterbury.

So any good factual advice would be super welcome here.

Thanks in advance!!

[RogerAnthony]

Stay away from all neighborhoods in Waterbury. There's a reason it is cheap. The city puts no investment into its infrastructure. Vandalism and petty crimes are rampant, although violent crimes are lower than Hartford, New Haven, or Bridgeport. The schools are low performing due to the huge number of kids whose families don't value education. You can find apartments for a low cost in nearby suburbs such as Thomaston, Naugatuck, Terryville, and Oakville. Those suburbs aren't wealthy upper-class communites, but they also aren't scummy ghettos like Waterbury.

[acidtone]

Originally Posted by RogerAnthony

Stay away from all neighborhoods in Waterbury. There's a reason it is cheap. The city puts no investment into its infrastructure. Vandalism and petty crimes are rampant, although violent crimes are lower than Hartford, New Haven, or Bridgeport. The schools are low performing due to the huge number of kids whose families don't value education. You can find apartments for a low cost in nearby suburbs such as Thomaston, Naugatuck, Terryville, and Oakville. Those suburbs aren't wealthy upper-class communites, but they also aren't scummy ghettos like Waterbury.

Thanks but that isn't really helpful. I've been there before. Its not a "scummy ghetto." Its a typical CT city. I just don't know where to look. I'm not looking to BUY either. I want to rent - and not out in the boonies like Terryville.

[jane_sm1th73]

Originally Posted by acidtone

Thanks but that isn't really helpful. I've been there before. Its not a "scummy ghetto." Its a typical CT city. I just don't know where to look. I'm not looking to BUY either. I want to rent - and not out in the boonies like Terryville.

You might want to consider renting in Southbury or Middlebury. Much nicer, there's availability of housing, and you will not have to worry about your child being collateral damage in a drive-by. Of course, both are boring as heck, and if you will be there long term, you child will be a prisoner as a teenager (as in most towns lacking public transportation) without his own car. The days of bicycling to a friend's house are long gone - many more unlicensed drivers on the road, for whom others' lives are cheap.

[zoomer41]

Look at the bunker hill section of waterbury.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by acidtone

Thanks but that isn't really helpful. I've been there before. Its not a "scummy ghetto." Its a typical CT city. I just don't know where to look. I'm not looking to BUY either. I want to rent - and not out in the boonies like Terryville.

Since nobody gets what you are saying and since it's my native city, I hope I can help.

In Wtby, the West end - Highland ave (Italian) and the East End (Irish) are the best places to look The North end and South end have always been trouble. If you are used to an urban environment, you are right, in the big picture it's not bad, and frankly one of the safest of all CT's cities over 100K regardless of what the perception is.

If you find a particular area, post it and I can give some more insight to the area...but generally speaking, the areas bordering Wolcott/Cheshire/Prospect and Middlebury/Watertown are the best.

[basehead617]

Yes, the country club area bordering Middlebury is indistinguishable from Middlebury other than price and taxes. Perhaps you can find a rental there. For the sake of your child though, consider a neighboring town or a private school. Waterbury schools are so bad they have at times been decertified (Wilby). You'd be hard pressed to find a worse school system. The classes are nothing more than circuses.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by acidtone

Its a typical CT city.

It is not a "typical CT city". The schools are ranked #164 out of 177. As already noted you could do better in one of the surrounding towns.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by JViello

Since nobody gets what you are saying.........

Yeah, it's like the OP was pretty explicit about knowing that Waterbury isn't the most desirable place in the state.

[AnotherTouchOfWhimsy]

Try Town Plot, Bunker Hill, maybe over by Oakville.... Honestly, I'd recommend Wolcott or Naugatuck over any area in Waterbury. Not only will the schools be better, but your car taxes won't be as high.