if you are trying to get out of new haven, the only cheaper options along that stretch of the shoreline are west haven (which is still pretty affordable) and bridgeport (which, like new haven, varies wildly depending on which neighborhood you are looking in)

as others have said, the naugatuck river valley has affordable rents, too. it's served by the waterbury branch line of metro north so it's possible to live a car-light existence up there, although it's much easier along the shore.

are you talking baldwin drive? riding the length of baldwin drive and coming back on the red trail is probably my favorite ride in the area.

Totally doable worst cause scenario you have a half hour walk. I did it for years. Still easier than driving in paying for parking etc. In warmer seasons it’s a nice little walk.

Nica's isn't my favorite. If you check the comments, you'd see I recommended P and M. (And Liuzzi). The old school style that I'm talking about is still found at Liuzzis for sure. Any pizza worth a damn sells pizza and not much else in my opinion.

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Honestly, small enough that you're better off walking. As many have said drivers can be dangerous. But bikeable nonetheless.

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I agree ☝🏽

Yeah, I took a right rather than going towards the lookout, happily discovered a lot more distance to be covered. Gravel was spiky and loose but held well on the way down.

The family prefers modern for a regular pizza, but for white, i trek to Ansonia to get zuppardis.

Don’t leave it or it will be stolen

I’m born and raised in East Haven, what are you talking about? Liuzzi, P&M, Nica’s, Nonna Gina’s, Scarpellino’s, literally any decent pizza place, all make great chicken cutlets and by extension, chicken parm.

Have people had a lot of luck with this? The stuff I heard coming out of the commission early on didn’t seem promising

Anywhere along 95 will let you commute via train. The Milford stop is right downtown and pretty convenient depending on where in town you live. I believe commuter parking is free at West Haven too, which might be an option. You can live anywhere and drive a couple miles and park to take the train.

+1 for milford, although the rent might not be that much cheaper as the land use is mostly single family homes and not too many apartments. Lots of great spots to hang out in town with different vibes and it would probably be best for your fairfield/new haven situation given the metro north line. Some new apartments just went up by the train station but if you need to go out further, there are covered bike lockers.

Take the rent increase to the fair rent commission first. While you wait for your case to be heard, you pay your current rent, and often they will rule in favor of the tenant or for a compromise between tenant and landlord. The ruling is good for a year, then you can appeal again on the next increase.

I have a car, but it’s up there in miles and I want to generally cut down on my driving.

Nice downtown/green with lots of restaurants and walkability and activity. Great beaches. Affordable housing. Low property taxes.

I discovered Zuppardi’s after standing in line at Sally’s and having a rando walking by shout at us that Zuppardi’s was better with no wait. I’m not 100% convinced that they’re better, but they’re certainly on par, and I appreciate that I can get it by the slice in Ansonia! The white square is definitely really good there.

Do you have a car? You’ll find cheaper rents in the valley - Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Shelton and will still be about 20 minutes away from either Fairfield or New Haven.

Why is Milford the best?

Living your best life!

I forgot about cappettas.

arrest me

And you lived in New Haven for like 3 years. I've been here my whole life. What I am getting at, is that the crap that most places call chicken Parm is fucking Sysco chicken tenders with marinara and shit mozzarella. There are some great places left, like Liuzzi in North Haven. There used to be Italian delis across New Haven that made Chicken Parm from scratch. Maybe you can recommend a great chicken Parm? My guess is if you could have, you would have. Dip shit.