My husband and I live in Philly but are looking to move to CT in the next year or so as we start our family to be closer to my parents. My family is in NW CT and we'd like to be within about an hour of them. Looking at New Haven area, but also other nearby towns (Milford, Shelton, Hamden etc). We're mid 30s and definitely used to a city vibe but open to suburban areas as long as there is a lively downtown area / things to do. We likely plan to rent, at least until we decide if we'd like to stay long term or only a few years (we own our Philly home and it will be worth it to keep and rent out when we move). We'll be visiting in January and would like to take a day or two to explore some neighborhoods or fun things to get a better feel for the area.

So I'm looking for some recommendations! A. Decent areas to rent for young family, best sites or time of year to look B. Any must-do things (restaurants, parks, sightseeing, events) to check out in January to help sway my husband on the area

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flytweed t1_iw8soe6 wrote on November 13, 2022 at 8:47 PM

I’m not just being New Haven-biased, but that’s exactly where you are describing. I’ll agree with others who’ll say start looking first in the East Rock neighborhood, but the Westville, Wooster Sq, and Downtown neighborhoods are great, too, and I’ll let them say why.

beaveristired t1_iw97ryu wrote on November 13, 2022 at 10:27 PM

Westville or East Rock would be my top pics. East Rock has a lot of new parents but it’s a little transient, many are grad students who are only here a couple years. Westville has more long term residents, many young families, larger yards. I recommend renting in East Rock the first year, because it’s more densely populated and easier to make friends, and closer to downtown.

Wooster Square, Beaver Hills, Downtown, and Morris Cove are other family friendly neighborhoods in New Haven. Milford and Branford are nice nearby towns with small downtown areas.

My parents are also NW CT-ish and this is about an hour away, very easy.

JackConnellyRealtyCT t1_iw8ujgy wrote on November 13, 2022 at 8:59 PM

Like the other comment mentions, all those neighborhoods within New Haven are amazing and been on the come up for the past few decades but have seen a real boom in the past few years especially.

Milford is a beautiful coastal town that has miles of public and private beaches as well as a lively downtown along with a major mall and the Boston post road which is also a major shopping corridor!

Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions!

mozzking t1_iw9vtdi wrote on November 14, 2022 at 1:26 AM

I’m from Guilford and now live in NHV. Guilford is an amazing town to raise a family with a brand new highschool but may be too suburban for you. But Deff go check out the green. NHV is amazing and I’ve very much enjoyed living here the past 9 years. East Rock and Wooster square are just phenomenal places to live. Also check out the up and coming neighborhood around the Quinnipiac River Historic District. A brewery and high end oyster bar have both opened up shop there in last 6 months.

dangstax2 t1_iwa2vr3 wrote on November 14, 2022 at 2:22 AM

I second this, Guilford is awesome as well as Madison, . very family friendly and quiet and good education. North haven & Wallingford isn’t bad as well but Guilford and Madison are better

roadpupp t1_iw9hwx2 wrote on November 13, 2022 at 11:40 PM

New haven is great. I grew up in Beaver Hill. When we moved back to Ct, we opted for Branford due to my wife teaching in NH and our concerns with schools. If I were renting I would look in North Haven! Milford Hamden orange Branford and maybe West Haven.

HartfordResident t1_iwd4irs wrote on November 14, 2022 at 7:29 PM

Within CT "lively downtown" only describes New Haven, really, if you want to be honest. Though the Hartford area has its charms, they are more spread out. I also like Greenwich but could never afford it LOL.

Clover_Jane t1_iwbmqi1 wrote on November 14, 2022 at 1:10 PM

Rental property around here gets scooped up very quickly. Actually, any property really whether rental or purchasing, goes fast so I'd start looking for somewhere to rent a little bit before you plan on actually moving here. It's definitely what they call a sellers market which has been difficult on buyers/renters, at least everyone I know has had a difficult time.

Other than that, all the places everyone mentioned are great places. I saw someone mention Morris Cove which is really a great neighborhood but prob more suburban than you're looking for and there's no bars/restaurants immediately nearby within walking distance. It was a very Italian neighborhood at one point but has changed a bit so there are a few small markets but that's it. East Rock is probably more what you're looking for.

CTRealtorCarl t1_iwccclw wrote on November 14, 2022 at 4:25 PM

Lots of different directions to go here.

Milford, definitely great has a lot to do and great spots to go out and have some drinks/food...but if you are looking to walk from spot to spot, not so much.

Hamden, has some good spots but they are few and far between (just my opinion). Outside of Mikro I don't find myself going out in Hamden all that often... most of the bars are overrun with Quinnipiac students. Side Street and Aunt Chiladas are great for people in the mid to early 20's but you may feel out of place in your 30's.

Shelton, similar to Milford has some good spots but I don't think you'll find yourself walking from spot to spot. Probably expect to see a slightly older more "local" crowd at the bars. Honestly not super familiar with Shelton, only places I have been are Spotted Horse and Crave.

I'm sure as you know the closer you get to NW CT the "quieter" it is going to get...

As others have mentioned I think a spot like Westville or East Rock would be great especially if you are renting initially.

curbthemeplays t1_iwf07dl wrote on November 15, 2022 at 3:30 AM

Definitely look at Milford as a 2nd option to New Haven. It’s the least quiet suburb in the area, has a great downtown, shoreline, food, community events, etc. You might be bored in Shelton, and Hamden has insane property tax without the schools to back it up.

Some spots to check out in Milford: downtown/harbor/green/duck ponds, Silver Sands boardwalk, Trumbull Ave, Gulf St to water, Beach Ave walk along water in Woodmont, Audubon Center. Great food at Strega, Scratch Baking, Walnut Beach Creamery (in season), Corner (brunch), Dogtown. Tribus Brewery. Stappa Winery in nearby Orange. Lots of good pizza, Jimmy’s and Papa’s are favorites.

Milford has several walkable areas (downtown, Devon center, Walnut Beach). In fact, much of the town south of Route 1 has sidewalks.

Easy access to NW CT with excellent highway access.

In New Haven, Downtown, East Rock, and Wooster Square is where you want to be. While Westville is nice and cute little center, and has the excellent Westville Music Bowl, it’s fairly small, smaller and quieter than Milford downtown and not well connected to the downtown New Haven area.