New Jersey: There is a lot to like about the Garden State and you might be surprised at the quaint, small-town vibe some NJ towns have . And the commute is pretty manageable (if you live in a train town and don’t have to take a bus). But with that proximity to NYC comes traffic and crowds. Picture yourself stuck in traffic running Saturday afternoon errands – not to mention the rush hour traffic during the week (Bridgegate anyone?). But the real nail in the coffin is the crushing property taxes! It’s not unusual to pay $2,000 each month just for the privilege of living on the other side of the Lincoln Tunnel. Oh, and have you spent any time in Penn Station?

Long Island: If you live far enough out (Montauk?) then sure – the idea of living in a beach community can be appealing. If you are thinking the Hamptons, then money apparently isn’t an issue for you. But Long Island seems to be a place that people move out of and not into. Or at least, they move back to Long Island and likely have some sort of family connection there. Oh, and the traffic on the LIE makes New Jersey look downright pleasant.

Westchester: There are certainly some nice areas of Westchester, but home prices are pretty hefty (see Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan below) and NY property taxes are up there with New Jersey. 

Then there is Connecticut. Let’s be honest – there is something pretty appealing about still being in NYC airspace, but telling the cousins from Baltimore that you’re moving to New England. Yes, some Connecticut towns can be pricey, but Stamford is downright reasonable by comparison in both home prices and property taxes. Move above the Merritt Parkway (the southern border of North Stamford), and you’ve got all this and larger but manageable properties. Nearby towns like Darien, Greenwich and New Canaan are great, but you won’t touch the kind of home you can get for the money in North Stamford. And you can still stroll Greenwich Avenue or take in New Canaan’s restaurants any time you please.

Take a look at the homes available in North Stamford. You might be surprised how much you get for your money this close to NYC!