Twin rinks had 2 pool tables and a bar in it. Played in a league on Wednesdays there. It’s a hockey rink so crowd mostly players after their games or parents watching their kids. There’s a bunch of bars in Stamford with pool tables tho and if willing to venture 20 mins there’s a pool bar in Norwalk with tons of tables. That’s more of a bar with music and shit.

I'm a lifer. Been here for most of my 39 years...until about three months ago.

I was living with my parents and helping them out a bit. They're looking to hopefully sell and make a move south within the next 6 months to a year, so I figured I'd look for my own place.

Even though I make $70K, for rent, I intentionally budgeted as if I made $10K less, +/- $100. I wanted to be able to have some kind of life outside of work and home...and perhaps be able to stash some money away.

It just wasn't happening here. I thought I'd be able to find something in my budget in maybe Norwalk, but nope, it's gotten just as bad there. One studio I looked at there was $1500/month!

I now live in Black Rock (Bridgeport). I found a nice little studio for like $1200 a month. I still work in Stamford, so, yeah, the commute isn't great. Even if I budget in another $100/month for gas, I'm still paying less than I would be if I stayed here.

My friends are still here as are my parents (at least for now), so I still spend a ton of time down here. I'm hoping the market will cool down eventually but unfortunately, I don't see it happening any time soon. Given the right opportunity, I'd totally move back.

Lmao. Sorry your whining isn't based in reality. Maybe you should try being a happier person.

the high schools free and reduced is a bit higher too cuz a lot of families with the means pull their kids out of the public schools for high school bc they have a not so good reputation

suck my dick goofy take that condescending ass tone back to scarsdale this not a debate tourney dummy

Nothing you've said suggests the fact Stamford has the lowest violent crime per capita is a "myth." You have discovered the concept of geography and population centers — concepts that exist everywhere else too — but they don't impact the data.

On average, in general, Stamford is safer than other cities in New England with a population above 100k. In fact, it is the safest. This does not mean crime doesn't exist. It means if you're looking to buy a house, Stamford is very attractive compared to alternatives (NYC, Bridgeport, New Haven, Norwalk).

the stamford lowest crime rate is a myth. 2/5 of stamford geographically and 1/10 population wise is north stamford (north of the merrit), which is basically a very wealthy neighborhood with 0 crime and poverty. When you factor in Westover and Shippan (neighborhoods of the same character that are pretty much isolated from the rest of stamford and have 0 crime 0 poverty), and just consider Stamford to be downtown, its inner city, and its working and middle class suburbs, it's just as dangerous as anywhere else. Before the south end started gentrifying it was even worse. it's not NYC by any means but in parts it might as well be.

all the fucking New Yorkers #yankeegohome

Check out Russell Speeder’s on Main St. It isn’t touchless but you can get unlimited washes for $25 or $30 a month. It is a decent wash and go at least 1 once or twice a week.

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Yes, exactly.

The increase in value is the result of property prices going up. If you don't own property (like a home), you're not capturing any of that new wealth. Even if you do own property, you're not capturing the increase until you sell your home. If you purchased a home 10 years ago, then the increase of your property value has resulted in a much higher property tax every 3-4 years (whenever the citywide evaluation is done). So your costs have gone up and you're feeling the squeeze. Unless you sell, which most people don't want to do if they have a life here already. Of course, I would guess most families using FRPL are renting and don't own property.

This is another reason why anti-development is counterintuitive but it's specifically for an argument that rich people don't like. If you build more housing, then property values won't be artificially inflated due to a shortage. This means property values... won't go up as much. Of course, if you're already wealthy and you're living within your means you want property to increase in value so you can get a return on your investment (owning property).

One thing you could do is build more of the "missing middle." Condos and multifamily homes. This is property that renters could reasonably afford without necessarily impacting the property value of homes because people who want homes — outside the city, big yard, away from downtown — don't want a condo. But the city doesn't build those units because they change the "character of the neighborhood." They'll say they care about parking and water/drought, but it just so happens it prevents "poor people" (i.e. someone who is not rich) to move into the neighborhood.

Also minor point, Stamford doesn't fit the definition of gentrification. All of the new housing is built on dilapidated land, brownfields, or formerly industrial zoning. With the exception of the Smith which replaced affordable housing, but that's because the owners sold it since they couldn't maintain it anymore. To the extent people are getting "priced out of their neighborhood" it's because of the lack of housing being built, not because old housing is being replaced with expensive housing.

Look outside of downtown. Classic channels: Facebook marketplace, craigslist, flyers in grocery stores. There is a lot of apartment inventory north of Hoyt Street but you'll never find it by googling "apartments in Stamford." All the big companies dominate search engines. Woodside Green is a good example, but there are many more.

The people love Stamford

Wow….TIL thank you!!!

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Colony is NOT a Fairfield spot. The original Colony has been going strong since 1935 on Myrtle Ave.

My fiancé drops me off at the train (2 min drive, but if not it’s a ~10 min walk) and then a ~55 min train ride and my office is right by GCT so it’s just steps until I’m in the lobby. 3-4 days a week would be ideal, but 5 feels taxing IMO. Luckily I roll out of the office around 4 everyday and finish on the ride home but at the end of the day, it is 2 hours a day spent commuting, so I try to use the time to do errands or wedding plan so I can just chill when I get home. Still wouldn’t move back to NYC over it!

Colony is a Fairfield spot…. Remo’s is Stamford… they just opened a Sally’s if you want New Haven

Fair enough

If you’re considering the pizza option, do Colony. It’s the OG and the vibe is miles ahead of Riko’s. Sit in a booth or at the bar.

And for garden catering/reddi rooster, you have to get one of the ‘special’ bags of nuggets and fries. You can get cones mixed in.

I mean, I'd definitely rather not pay $1800 a month, the price of groceries and stuff will definitely eat into my savings somewhat. Hopefully after the first year I'm either able to make more money, find some hidden nook that's a bit more affordable, or find someone with whom to share a 2 br. It's all uncharted territory from here, but I'm really excited to start working there.

Might have to scratch Greenwich off the list, although it's all up to whatever place I happen to find that's within my budget. I've seen a few affordable places in Greenwich, but they certainly aren't luxury apartments.

Thank you!

I just looked on apartments.com and set the filter to $1,500 or less and a couple private listings popped up. Those are probably your best bet.