[BHuntsman]

Hi, have done some research on Danbury area and would like a locals perspective on the following towns: Bethel, Brookfield, Easton, Monroe, Newtown, Oxford, Redding, Shelton, & Southbury.

Our desires:

*A 3+ bedroom home with a nice yard.
*Well performing public schools
*Less than 30 minute commute but willing to stretch to 45 minutes for the right town.
*Safety is important.
*Enjoy space but don't want to drive 30 minutes to the nearest grocery store.

Work takes me off exit #9 on I-84 if that helps. Thanks for any opinions you can give!

[FutureTown]

From your listing, Brookfield, Bethel, and Newtown are your best bets. Exit 9 is Newtown and it would be most convinient for you to live in the town you work. It's a big town as well, so, it's not like you have to lie walking distance.

I realize there's no mention of a budget. With that, I'm sure the people can help you better. I wouldn't worry about schools or safety in any of the towns you mentioned. They're all solid.

[BHuntsman]

Thanks for the fast reply! Our budget is less than $530k and would like move in ready.

[hvexpatinct]

In the $500s, and wanting some amenities in town, I'd probably do Newtown or Southbury. They both have really strong school systems and extracurriculars for kids. $500 will get you move in ready and 2500ish sq ft in a desirable location.

I would rule out Shelton and Oxford due to distance and availability of local amenities.

I personally wouldn't spend $500K to live in Bethel.

[BHuntsman]

Thanks! We are renting in Shelton right now and find it very convenient to amenities. The bustle of the town, as well as schools there concern us.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by FutureTown

From your listing, Brookfield, Bethel, and Newtown are your best bets. Exit 9 is Newtown and it would be most convinient for you to live in the town you work. It's a big town as well, so, it's not like you have to lie walking distance.

I realize there's no mention of a budget. With that, I'm sure the people can help you better. I wouldn't worry about schools or safety in any of the towns you mentioned. They're all solid.

Exit 9 is by the Brookfield and Bethel borders too. Any of the 3 towns will be a very short commute. Any will work. I'd recommend finding the right house and going from there.

That said, Newtown is pretty big and some areas will be a good 15-20 minute commute.

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by BHuntsman

Thanks! We are renting in Shelton right now and find it very convenient to amenities. The bustle of the town, as well as schools there concern us.

agreed on amenities - Shelton should have a lot of shopping, restaurants, etc in town or right next door.

However, I'd be concerned about distance.

Newtown is an excellent option, as is Brookfield.

[Stylo]

Do you like the bustle of Shelton? If so, Bethel might be attractive. It's a bit more dense overall than Brookfield and Newtown, has a charming walkable downtown, lots of shopping options (Caraluzzi's, Target, Big Y) and is convenient to both lower FFC via Route 53/58, and convenient to Danbury.

IMO Brookfield is the most "dead" of the three, with a pretty typical suburban strip mall area, no true town center, and not much else. Unless you're into lakes, as it borders 2.

You could also look at Trumbull and Monroe and do the 25 commute.

[hvexpatinct]

Originally Posted by BHuntsman

Thanks! We are renting in Shelton right now and find it very convenient to amenities. The bustle of the town, as well as schools there concern us.

Right - Shelton is convenient to amenities, but further than you need to be from Newtown, and not as strong on the school front. Oxford is the town where amenities are lacking - sorry my post wasnt more clear.

[kidyankee764]

It really depends on what kind of town you're interested in. All these towns are, for the most part, similar.

If Shelton has too much "bustle", you may not be happy in parts of Bethel and Brookfield. Parts of all those towns are quiet, as well. Brookfield is kind of sterile, IMO, but nice. I agree with the other poster who posted they would have a difficult time spending $500k to live in Bethel, and I'd also say the same for Shelton.

Easton, Redding and Oxford are woodsy and residential with little to no shopping, but amenities are in surrounding towns less than 15 minutes away. Easton and Oxford will be about 20-30 minutes from Exit 9 on 84. None of these towns will be greater than a 30 minute commute.

All towns have great schools, with Easton/Redding probably coming out on top, and Shelton at the bottom - but still solid.