One of the nifty (yes, that’s a word that still I use) about having a blog is that there is a tool on the “back end “as they say in blogville,that allows the writer to see what the most popular articles are. As good as that is, the tool can’t tell me what my readers would like or are HOPING to find on this site.
So here’s the thing. I’d love to hear from you. Let me know what you would like to find here on 
http://www.thegoldcoaststandard.com.
Need a tip?The number one thing people do when they land on the site is a home search. Thats great! Read the rest of this entry »
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I can’t say enough about the amount and quality of kids activities in town.If you buy a home in Darien your children will never be bored.
In addition to a full program for kids at the fabulous Darien Library,organizations such as the YMCA, YWCA and Darien Parks and Recreation and Darien Arts Center offer a full plate of activities for kids.
This years Spring catalog from Darien Parks and Rec just ca
me out and there is something for every kid in town.Little League,Soccer,Lacrosse Hockey,Sailing Golf,Softball,Tennis,Swimming,Music lessons,Karate and even Fly Fishing for kids.
Some of the more unusual activities include….. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: darien kids, Darien Little League, Darien Sports, home remodel
I like to read the Darien papers each week and am regularly amused by an article or silly item in the Police Blotter One week, garden gnomes were stolen from a lawn and then there are the burglaries of purses stolen from the front seat of unlocked cars. (Really?)
This weeks item concerns the new Whole Foods market which is coming to Darien this May. It sits on the corner of Ledge Road and the Boston Post Road and has been the source of much controversy.It was suggested that a store of this size (really big) would ruin the small town feel of Darien.(Pftttt.You cant stay in 1950 forever)
After a couple of years of political and legal wrangling, the store was finally approved and plans to open in 90 days or so.
This weeks item in the paper concerns the size of Whole Foods’ illuminated sign in the front of the store. Dariens’ zoning regulations do not allow for illuminated lettering larger than 10 inches tall on any building. These regulations were written in the 1970’s…..forty years ago!
Needless to say,the Whole Foods lettering will have to be substantially larger than that. A letter to the Editor of the Darien Times suggests we enforce the regulation because we have “accommodated” the new Whole Foods store enough.
Hmmmmm clever ….you can build it but we forgot to mention, you can’t light it. SIGNS of the times!Puuuuuulease!
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Below is a link to a 2010, CNN Money Report showing New Canaan,Darien and Westport as the Top Earnings towns is their Best Places to Live report.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/moneymag/0807/gallery.bplive_topearners.moneymag/2.html
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I plan on writing individual posts on each of the condo complexes here in Darien. In the meantime, I thought Id offer some information on what is typically covered under monthly condo fees. Although many of these items are not applicable to Darien properties, it is helpful to have a full overview should you be looking to buy elsewhere.
So what are the typical things that condo fees cover in Darien or nearby towns?
The first thing is what is called Master Insurance.This is the insurance policy that the condo association purchases to cover the buildings structures and common areas. Usually,you are responsible for insuring the contents of your unit and some banks insist upon it.
Depending on the town ,your fees may or may not cover water and sewer bills.Some associations use a formula that prorates the cost according to the number of residents and others simply pay from one meter and use the association fees.
Most of the expenses covered by fees are simply the dividing up the cost of home ownership and are used for things such as snow removal,landscaping,common utilities,management fees and building maintenance.
Some condominium complexes offer amenities like swimming pools, tennis courts,paddle courts,gyms, doormen, and elevators. If these amenities are not important to you,look for another complex. You will be paying for them whether you use them or not.
Large scale projects like replacing roofs,painting etc can be financed in a couple of ways depending on whats laid out in the condominium association documents. If the association takes a long term view, these expenses may be anticipated and will not require an additional assessment.
Other boards prefer to keep common charges low and assess the residents as large project come up.
Be sure you review the “condo docs” carefully before buying to assess what your additional fees are likely to be as well as how well the board is managing your money.
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As has been the case over the past year, the entry level of the market is the most popular. The difference this year however is that the upper end of the market is moving as well. Guess those buyers that were circling like planes over LaGuardia have gotten permission to land. Welcome.
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Even those actively looking for a Darien home have asked me, “What is the correct way to say the name of the town?” Dictionaries list the pronunciation as “DAIRy-yen” but most of Dariens’ 19,000 residents pronounce their town name as “dairy-ANN, like Maryann.
Similar confusion surrounds the pronunciation of the neighborhoods of Tokeneke and Noroton. For the record, it’s “TOW-keh-neek” and “Nor-O-ton”.
There- now you’re a local.
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South of Interstate 95,the area known as Tokeneke is an exclusive enclave within the town of Darien.The homes are prized for their privacy and access to the inlets and bays around Long Island Sound.Most of the oldest homes were built as part of the original Tokeneke Park development, which took its name from a Native American sachem who is said to have led a tribe that hunted and fished in the area. An Indian’s silhouette is used to mark the park boundaries.
Prospective Tokeneke Park buyers were invited to stay at Eagle Rock, a colonial-style inn constructed by the development company. The inn, which overlooks picturesque lagoons at the bridge crossing to Contentment Island, has been extensively renovated for use as a private residence. .
More modest Darien properties can be found farther inland, though prices rarely dip much below $1 million.Homes in the Tokeneke area can sell for as much as $7million. Read the rest of this entry »
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This article was written several years ago and published in The New York Times Real Estate section . With minor adjustments to number of pupils enrolled in the schools and the median price of a home,this is a very accurate picture of the area. It was also where I lived when I first came to town!
If You’re Thinking of Living In/Noroton and Noroton Heights; A Haven for Both Sailors and Commuters
By LISA PREVOST
Published: December 14, 2003
The Noroton section of Darien is defined by two peninsulas that reach into Long Island Sound. They provide many inlets and coves to create lovely areas for sailors and beachgoers alike.From there Noroton spreads inland across the Boston Post Road,past I95 and into the inland neighborhoods of Noroton Heights.
The shorter of the peninsulas, Noroton Neck, is divided into shore communities like Noroton Bay and Pratt Island, both notable for their multimillion-dollar properties. A new four-bedroom colonial on the Pratt Island waterfront was recently listed at $5.69 million. The peninsula is also home to the world-renowned Noroton Yacht Club, whose former members have included two America’s Cup skippers. The club currently runs the largest junior sailing program in Fairfield County. Read the rest of this entry »
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