Westport

[Anonymous]

Moving to the New York area for work soon with three kids. I went to look around and based on taxes and budget I felt that Westport was the best fit. I know it’s a longer commute to grand central, but does anyone here do this commute everyday? Is it awful?

[Anonymous]

My friends live there and her husband does this commute daily. It sounds terrible but lots of people do it. She also commutes but not as far and she is naturally the default parent. They also have a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Grew up one town over. Lots of people do it but the other parent needs to be very available (or an alternative adult). The commuter will not have much family time unless his job has flexible hours. Look in to parking availability at the train station too.

[Anonymous]

OP. My wife stays at home so that shouldn’t be a problem. I just imagine I won’t see the family during the week.

[Anonymous]

I’m from Westport. Will you live walking distance from train station? I think there is a waitlist for parking at the station so that could add to commute time/hassle. Also will you work near Grand Central? If so that will help. A lot of people do the commute - as long as you don’t live or work super far from train stations, it is doable.

You should follow the 06880 dan woog blog for town news and gossip - it will give you a sense of what life is like there. Combo is awesome in the summer!!! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I’d consider Greenwich. It’s much closer. Not sure what your house budget it but they’re not all astronomical houses there. Many neighborhoods are comparable to those in Westport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d consider Greenwich. It’s much closer. Not sure what your house budget it but they’re not all astronomical houses there. Many neighborhoods are comparable to those in Westport.

Yes, totally agree with this.

Also, don't rule out Stamford. Schools aren't ranked as highly because it's a much bigger "city" with lots of diversity, but it's a great commute/train ride into NYC (lots of express trains--45 mins, no stops to GCT). It has some really nice neighborhoods (that have nicer schools) without the price tag of towns like Westport, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m from Westport. Will you live walking distance from train station? I think there is a waitlist for parking at the station so that could add to commute time/hassle. Also will you work near Grand Central? If so that will help. A lot of people do the commute - as long as you don’t live or work super far from train stations, it is doable.

You should follow the 06880 dan woog blog for town news and gossip - it will give you a sense of what life is like there. Combo is awesome in the summer!!! Good luck!

Good advice, Woog is awesome.
Unless you're in mid town, forget it. Even at that, consider that you have to drive to the station and, as stated above, parking is a hassle if you're lucky enough to have a pass ( I hope they like reading) Compo and Longshore are the perks. But definitely look in Greenwich.

[Anonymous]

If you're not set on CT, the Metro North commute is better for Westchester Co on the Hudson Line in terms of distance-time vs budget.

River towns & northern Westchester have similar or better commutes, equal QOL and schools, and less cost IMO. We're happy on the Hudson line with our 3 kids in a well-regarded school district.

[Anonymous]

I live Westport!!! My frievd’s DH commutes to the city from there. They live at compo beach so fairly close to the train station.

I love it up there. So beautiful. Darien is also a nice town closer to the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're not set on CT, the Metro North commute is better for Westchester Co on the Hudson Line in terms of distance-time vs budget.

River towns & northern Westchester have similar or better commutes, equal QOL and schools, and less cost IMO. We're happy on the Hudson line with our 3 kids in a well-regarded school district.

Yes, but taxes are insane in Westchester.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're not set on CT, the Metro North commute is better for Westchester Co on the Hudson Line in terms of distance-time vs budget.

River towns & northern Westchester have similar or better commutes, equal QOL and schools, and less cost IMO. We're happy on the Hudson line with our 3 kids in a well-regarded school district.

Yes, but taxes are insane in Westchester.

They’re not AS bad in Northern Westchester. For less than 1/2 acre, in a village, home value around $600k, you’ll probably end up with total tax burden of 14k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. My wife stays at home so that shouldn’t be a problem. I just imagine I won’t see the family during the week.

That sucks. Don’t do it.

[Anonymous]

Did the commute from Fairfield, next town over, for 5 years. It was a grind. As others have mentioned there is a waiting list to park at the train stations, which just adds more time and logistics to the daily commute. There are plenty of people who do this on a daily basis, and many from an even further distance, but as a family we determined it was not the quality of life we wanted. (I only saw my young kids on weekends - I left before they were up and didn't return home until after they were in bed.)

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Greenwich with my dad commuting to Grand Central daily. It worked fine.

Westport was a 45 mins drive north of us - we'd visit the bookstore and my mother got her hair cut there - its a lovely town (and at the time was where Paul Newman lived).

But to commute daily from Westport to Manhattan, would be TOTAL madness.