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Living in Darien CT is amazing.. but it's not all roses here. Today we are going to talk about some of the good things, and some of the not so good things, for people who are considering moving here. Let's go.
Hi, my name is Charlie Vinci. I am a Darien CT Realtor, and my realty team and I specialize in helping buyers understand what living in Darien CT entails and how to relocate to the area.
Let me show you why you might want to move here, AND a few reasons why you might not..
Table of Contents:
Pro: Great Walkable Locations
Darien might be a good fit for you if you are looking for a great walkable area. In fact, with all of the current re-development in town, you will have two great walkable areas in the future, one near the Darien Train station, and another near the Noroton Heights Train station. We will do videos on these areas as the projects develop, but in the meantime I would suggest looking into these two spots if you like to walk to the train, shopping or restaurants. You can go to the Darien page of our website, the link is on the screen, for a list of homes for sale near each of these locations.
Pro: Good School Ratings (According to Greatschools.org)
If schools are a high priority for you, greatschools.org rates Darien schools at the top of their range. You can use the school look up feature and school district maps in our Darien buyers guide to help you with your search, but first let's cover a few more of the pros and cons of moving here.
Pro: Quick Train Ride to Grand Central
Con: Expect Significant Traffic Commuting to NYC During Rush Hour
If you are looking to commute to Manhattan, the fast train from the Darien station will get you to grand central in under an hour. If you are planning to Commute to New York by car, well, you should expect to sit in traffic and I would recommend using Google Maps to determine your commute time.
Pro: Lower Housing Prices Compared to Greenwich & New York
Con: Higher Housing Prices Compared to Other Towns in Fairfield County
If you are looking for an inexpensive home in Darien, well, you are going to have a challenge on your hands. On the other hand, If you are comparing the prices in Darien to commutable areas of New York you should find Darien to be a very good value.
You can move to Norwalk, Stamford, Fairfield or Wilton, and get more home for the money, and this is going to be a good option for some people.
The challenge with Norwalk and Stamford specifically, are that the public school ratings are much lower according to greatschools.org and every other site I have seen. Now, you could send your children to private school, and have a smaller mortgage in these towns, and this does work for some people, but there are some financial disadvantages to this approach which I'll explain in a minute.
Pro: Great Waterfront Real Estate
If you would like to live in a waterfront home, Darien has some of the most stunning coastal waterfront real estate in the area. One way that it stands out from other towns in this regard is that much of its waterfront property has more of a premium island-like feel, somewhat reminiscent of the South Carolina or Georgia coast.
Pro: Low Real Estate Taxes
If you want to minimize your taxes, and well, who doesn't, Darien has the second lowest real estate tax rate in the county and you will find your housing taxes to be approximately half of what they are in neighboring Westchester County, New York. We have more information on mill rates and local taxes in our Darien buyers guide.
Con: Not as Many Amenities as Nearby Towns
If you love shopping, great restaurants and nightlife, well, many of the neighboring towns have Darien beat. That's not to say that Darien doesn't have everything you need, because it does. However you may find yourself frequenting other area towns for shopping, entertainment and restaurants.
Wrap-Up:
If you are still exploring, check out my website where you will find my raved about local buyers guide, neighborhood maps, and all of the homes listed for sale in Darien.
I hope you enjoyed this tour as much as I enjoyed making it for you. When you are ready to start shopping, call me, I’ll help you find a great home.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
203.952.7752
Darien CT Realtor
charlievinci@gmail.com
About the Author:
Charlie Vinci, the Founder and Lead Agent of the Charlie Vinci Team has become a mainstay in Connecticut’s real estate market, earning accolades as one of the top 3% of realtors within the state. Fueled by a dedication to the success of his clients and an ever-growing assortment of area-specific resources, the business continues to thrive in the constantly evolving real estate marketplace. An informative YouTube presence has been the primary driver/focus for the team, as it has allowed Charlie to engage directly with his audience and provide a consultative approach to an often ambiguous process. Whether an international client seeking relocation to the US or a local homeowner considering the sale of their property, The Charlie Vinci Team has the market knowledge, resources, and expedient level of service that clients not only desire, but deserve.