[hvexpatinct]

Originally Posted by BHuntsman

Can anyone shed some light on Ridgefield? More expensive but people seem to rave about it on this forum. Worth the commute to exit 9?

$500 is a tough budget there - lots of competition at that price point. I think it's a great town but wouldn't prefer it over your other very good choices, given your work locations.

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by BHuntsman

Can anyone shed some light on Ridgefield? More expensive but people seem to rave about it on this forum. Worth the commute to exit 9?

Definitely worth the price of admission if your willing to sacrifice on the house size a little. Depending on where you are, commute could be 1/2 hour or less up Rt. 53 to Rt. 302.
If you were to expand the search, then include northern Fairfield as well - easy ride up Rt. 58, also under 1/2 hour - better house here than Ridgefield for 500's.

[NewJeffCT]

Ridgefield has some great schools and is a very nice town. I think it was rated one of the safest towns in America within the past 3-5 years as well.

However, it is pricier and you'd likely get a smaller/older home.

456 Limestone Rd, Ridgefield, CT 06877 is For Sale - Zillow

[BHuntsman]

You are all a huge help. Thank you again.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Raider111

Definitely worth the price of admission if your willing to sacrifice on the house size a little. Depending on where you are, commute could be 1/2 hour or less up Rt. 53 to Rt. 302.
If you were to expand the search, then include northern Fairfield as well - easy ride up Rt. 58, also under 1/2 hour - better house here than Ridgefield for 500's.

Greenfield Hill would be very, very, very tough at that budget. The OP would probably have a better chance in Easton, actually.

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Greenfield Hill would be very, very, very tough at that budget. The OP would probably have a better chance in Easton, actually.

Right, meant the other side of 58, mohegan, sport hill- stratfield side.

[BHuntsman]

It looks like we're going to end up in Monroe. Thanks, everyone, for your input.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by SeaDoo342

If you go to conncan.org, you can compare all of these high schools. Their methodology uses the School Performance Index, which is a compilation of CMT and CAPT data in reading, writing, math and science...

If you type in all of these high schools, they rank as follows:

1) Barlow (94.2)
2) Masuk (92.1)
3) (tie) Oxford (91)
3) (tie) Pomperaug (91)
5) Brookfield (90.8)
6) Trumbull (89.4)
7) Newtown (88.3)
8) Shelton (83)
9) Bethel (82.8)
10) Danbury (63)

Compare Schools | ConnCAN Report Cards

Originally Posted by JayCT

Shelton schools perform above the state averages on the Connecticut Mastery and Connecticut Academic Performance Tests so I think their schools can be considered good. The link below will give you links to information on all schools here in Connecticut. Shelton did have a reputation of being one of the less progressive towns in Fairfield County.

State Department of Education - CEDaR

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Shelton schools, along with average family HHI, have been rising noticeably. I was actually shocked to see a couple of weeks ago that the average family HHI in Shelton is $116K, which is only $5K less than neighboring Trumbull. I wonder what their HHI would be if they didn't have a trailer park or the Howe/Coram Ave. corridor?

But i do agree with others that Shelton wouldn't be the most convenient for the commute to Bethel. I'm guessing the Taunton section of Newtown might be a good place to start. Proximity to the jobsite and access to shopping would be good from this location.

I just wanted to note that the site that Seadoo is referencing lists Shelton High as "Progressing" academically. Meaning, the school is on the rise. The 2 high schools in my town and in Milford though are listed as "Transitioning". Meaning, going down the tubes.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by BHuntsman

It looks like we're going to end up in Monroe. Thanks, everyone, for your input.

Good choice.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by BHuntsman

It looks like we're going to end up in Monroe. Thanks, everyone, for your input.

Great choice. If you're on the west side of town, you can avoid Rt 25 by taking Hattertown Road to 302 to Old Hawleyville. It should be an easy drive to exit 9.