06883: Get ready!
Today’s New York Times real estate section profiles Westport’s neighbor to the north.
It’s a fair, balanced account of the pros and cons of buying in the “quiet and wooded” town.
The 2 places will always be linked — after all, we were once part of Weston. And today’s story mentions Westport a few times.
There are references to a couple who looked at our “popular town on the Metro-North Railroad line with beaches and a vibrant downtown. But prices were daunting,” and a real estate agent suggested “they might get more for their money in Weston, a town they hadn’t considered.”
Referring to Weston’s “single plaza in the town center, where the market, pharmacy, hardware store and sole restaurant are housed behind identical brick storefronts,” the Times says “Weston is nothing like Westport. But the more the (couple) looked around, the more it felt like home.”
If you can’t find what you need in Weston Center, you have to head to Westport.
The article notes that Westonites commute from our train station, shop in our stores, and enjoy our restaurants.
Of course, Weston’s school system is excellent. The 2-acre zoning is very appealing. And it’s got Devil’s Den, 3 private clubs and Lachat Town Farm.
Negatives include the “rather sluggish” real estate market, and a property tax rate “higher than that of most surrounding towns.”
That won’t change, says 1st Selectman Nina Daniel.
“When you come into Weston, you breathe a sigh of relief. You are not in traffic. You have a sense of being away from the hurly-burly of the world.”
For years, Cobb’s Mill Inn defined Weston. The New York Times story never mentioned the fabled restaurant.
The Times concludes:
The resistance to change that has long defined Weston has lessened of late, as newcomers push for various amenities. As first selectman, Ms. Daniel is trying to straddle the divide, agreeing with those who want, for example, sidewalks connecting the school campus with the town center, while reassuring others that the town is not headed for mass commercialization. Also up for discussion: a town green, a community center and cluster-style housing for retirees.
(To read the entire story, click here. Hat tip: John Karrel)
In 1970 my mother moved to Weston. After four years she missed Westport so much she moved back. The Westport realtors had a hard time marketing her house in Weston mainly because they didn’t bother to get to know the town and so they favored Westport listings. I dated a girl from Weston for a while in HS who looked down her nose at Westport and told me once (in all seriousness because she lacked any sense of humor or situational awareness) that she thought Weston boys were so much more sophisticated. I only dated her because I was in love with her looks. Her personality was terrible.
And at $250/sticker they also have unlimited access to the Westport beaches….of which 1/3 of the Weston households take advantage.
As someone who moved from Weston to Westport 18 months ago, I can vouch for the “sluggish” real estate market. I did love the town, and raised my kids there.
It is all relative. Many buyers will tell you Weston is too far from the train station, the beaches etc. When we market Weston homes from our Georgetown (Redding) office, buyers love how close Weston is to the Westport train station and the beaches.
Weston has a difficult road ahead without having commercial real estate to bolster their tax base. All the fine schools and teachers they have are almost all paid by home property taxes. As Governor Malloy cuts education funds to towns and cities in CT and as he shifts state costs to towns and cities in CT, Weston will have to absorb all these costs with higher property taxes. As property taxes rise, home values tend to decline. The net result is a decline in Weston’s Grand List and property taxes rise more.
The future of Weston will be interesting to watch as the desire to have very limited Commerical businesses is challenged by rising home property taxes.
Weston has never had a commercial tax base. It’s nothing new there. Weston has always been in the top ten school districts in Connecticut. The select(wo)men have been from both political parties. The bonding for the school updates is towards the end of it’s cycle. Hopefully once that’s done, the mill rate can go down.
What is the demonstrated need for sidewalks from the high school to the “center of town.” ? If new residents want such, they should have stayed where such already exists..why urbanize the look of a rural town for no apparent reason?
I can’t agree more! Who needs sidewalks in Weston, it’s a joke.
I rather pay less property tax.