Maybe look in the suburbs too? Milford, Branford, North Haven.

Rental affordability is a national problem right now and CT has the lowest vacancy rate in the country.

Danbury is a snooze.

New Haven is nothing like Bridgeport. You’re clueless.

I’d recommend Milford and Branford over Hamden personally.

If one is worried about property tax, live in Milford or Branford.

I agree it exists as an option that’s between Stamford and New Haven in feel, but not sure what you mean by more amenities? Like big box and mall shopping? New Haven still has it beat on city attractions.

Milford/New Haven area for sure. Relatively affordable, lots to do, shoreline, excellent culture/dining in NHV (best in the state by far).

New Haven is so much better than Stamford as a city with personality, things to do, music, art, food. Stamford is kind of sterile and corporate in comparison. Stamford of course has the huge advantage of being near NYC, but now that I live in Milford near New Haven, I get my great city fix on a smaller, easier scale and don’t need to go into NYC that often.

You should have moved to Milford. Much better town.

NW looks equally dark.

Would never choose it over the areas he’s considering though, and I grew up there.

But still in that traffic nightmare vicinity.

Madison and Guilford are pretty damn perfect. Especially if you want quiet.

Bonus points for always being in reach of New Haven for food and culture fix.

Hope you enjoyed your massive fire.

Alton Brown brine recipe, and either in oven 325 or smoker overnight. However, even when done really really well, turkey is still a very underwhelming meat to me.

Shelton: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/593-Howe-Ave-Shelton-CT-06484/57350282_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

West Haven: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5-Greta-St-6DAD8A9EA-West-Haven-CT-06516/2066753463_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

New Haven: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/115-Long-Hill-Ter-New-Haven-CT-06515/2129297387_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/158-Fountain-St-1H2-New-Haven-CT-06515/2060759183_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

Naugatuck: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/20-Diamond-St-APT-2R-Naugatuck-CT-06770/2089720399_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

All safe areas.

Go to Jones on a weeknight, if you can

Never had. Current favorite is Dogtown.

If you won’t/can’t go to East Rock where there’s a lot of good options (Atticus Market, Zoi’s, Olmo, Nica’s, Crepes Choupette, etc), then I’d recommend G Cafe on Chapel or Orange, Atticus by the art museums, Donut Crazy (solid sandwiches, nothing fancy), Book Trader. Maybe Bnatural Kitchen but never tried their breakfast items.

Holy shit, you made me very happy to have gas heat in a modern house build. Almost 3000 square feet and my absolute max bill in winter is $200 a month.

I mean, there are tons of recos in this thread already.

Any locally owned burger stand is going to be better than Sonic.

But here’s some of my favorites: Dogtown (has a great In-N-Out approximation), Mr Mac’s Canteen, Merritt Canteen, Lake Zoar Drive In, Sycamore, Prime 16, Dive Bar, Louis Lunch, Fryborg, Oar & Oak, Oar & Oak Birdhouse, Rudy’s, Denmos, Tavern on State.

For chains, I think Shake Shack and Wayback are also superior.

Do you eat fish? Rockfish is some of the best sushi I’ve had anywhere in the country. You can get takeout but it’s worth sitting at the bar and having Jason take you on a magical sushi journey. Next door, East Rock Brewing for a beer.

Menya Gumi, Mecha have great veggie ramen options. Midpoint has excellent Turkish food. Munchies has amazing vegan subs. Tacos Los Gordos for Nopal tacos.

The Cannon is a vegan soccer bar with good food. Three Sheets is also a good dive bar with good vegetarian/vegan food. House of Naan, Lazeez, and Sherkaan have great Indian.

Atticus Market excellent takeout food.

Honestly the city has SO many options. One of the best small cities for food. I’m missing a ton. Help us narrow down more!

Sally’s is amazing but delivery/box will ruin the experience. You need to go there in person. Or Modern, Da Legna, Next Door, etc. Best pizza downtown is BAR but the walk to Modern/Da Legna/Next Door, which are all on upper State St, isn’t bad.

There are sooo many better options in CT other than Sonic

Prime 16 > Plan B

Yes they just moved. IMO Dogtown is better.

Came here to say that. The Dogtown burger is excellent. In Milford, Mac’s Canteen does a great burger too.