A few days ago, after I got most of my real estate appointments set up for a couple of days, I thought it would be a great idea to spend an afternoon taking a hike in Danbury's Tarrywile Park. It's a great spot to enjoy nature in all of it's glory with over 700 acres and over 21 miles to trails.

With my camera in hand and sunglasses on, I took a short drive over to the Southern Boulevard entrance, a short trip from anywhere in Danbury. The city of Danbury purchased the land about 25 years ago from a developer that was hoping to create a community similar to Heritage Village in Southbury and has continued to acquire land over the years, making it today larger than Central Park in New York City.

With a terrain varying from large open meadows to dense forested hills as well as a couple of ponds, you can enjoy Tarrywille Park for years on end and still discover new parts and see different types of foilage and fauna. The park helps create that semi rural feel of the Long Ridge and Brushy Hill neighborhood with those two roads running just on the outside parts of the park borders.

The Ives Trail is currently under construction and once completed in a couple of years, it will be possible connect from the Rogers Park through Tarrywile all the way over to Ridgefield (across Route 7) and into the parks over there, Wooster Mountain, Bennett's Pond State Park, Hemlock Hills and Pine Mountain for a whole day's hike through the wilderness of Northern Fairfield County. There are typically guided hiked through Tarrywile on Saturday mornings around this time of the time. In the fall, the park plays hosts to several high school cross country meets, since it is the home course for the Danbury High School and Immaculate High School teams. Tarrywile also has an abandoned castle, the Hearthstone castle, located at Brushy Hill side of the part and the city and various community organizations are working on a plan to restore and repurpose the castle in a way that will fit the neighborhood and the park.

A short walk from the main entrance gets you go Parks Pond. I usually see a wide mix of people reading books, picinicing, walking their dogs or fishing in the pond, but Tarrywile was surprising quiet that day. The pond is pretty low because it has not not rained in a few days. For a nice stroll, bear right here and take a quick left over a little uphill onto the white trail. The hiking trail, about one mile in length, gives a complete view on Parks Pond without steep hills to worry about.

For a more rustic experience or if you are looking for a longer hike, explore the area beyond the water tank up the hillside of the south and southwestern region of the park In that area, you can proceed up to the Mootry Peak Lookout which offers great views of Danbury. You can see Danbury City Hall, the Danbury Hospital, the Riverview Office Complex, the Danbury Fair Mall, Westville Commons, Kensington Woods as well as other area landmarks and the surrounding hillside. On clear days, I have even seen Lake Kenosia and Candlewood Lake. At many times, I felt like I was in Vermont opposed to just minutes south of downtown Danbury and close to many large cities.

Please take a moment to look at the visual tours I have prepared on Tarrywile Park:

For more information on Tarrywile Park, please visit their website.

Here is some information several different neighborhoods in Northern Ridgefield and in the Ridgebury section of Danbury.

Pleasantview :

A vast neighborhood in Northern Ridgefield, close to exit 1 on I-84 and many corporate offices on the west side of Danbury. This Tuccio built neighborhood offers a variety of real estate options ranging from one level ranches to deluxe newer colonials.

Recreational membership in the association includes swimming, tennis and more. Pleasantview is also close to the Ridgefield Golf Course and shopping in Danbury.

Keeler Drive Ridgefield, CT.

Turner Hill:

A cluster home subdivision with open space, walking trails and community pool and recreation center in northern Ridgefield near the New York State line. A community of country colonials and capes .City water/sewer and gas.

Turner Road Ridgefield, CT.

Stone Ridge Estates:

A luxury neighborhood of 59 homes made out of several different styles. Gracious farmhouse and colonial homes set the seen this lovely countryside neighborhood in Ridgebury.

Close to major commuter routes, Stone Ridge Estates features grand homes sculptured set on gorgeous wooded terrain.

Old Trolley Road Ridgefield,CT.

Ridgebury Hills:

A Toll Brother's built community of 90 homes near exits 1 & 2 on I-84 in Western Danbury. Ridgebury Hills features city services (water & sewer) and small lots to maintain. The neighborhood features several different models colonials with modern open floor plans and luxury appointments.

Aster Drive Danbury,CT.

Ridgebury Estates (Ridgefield):

A small neighborhood in a central Ridgebury location near Boehringer Ingelheim. Good access to Danbury and Westchester and lower Fairfield County.

Some homes have great hillside and valley views.

Beaver Brook Road Ridgefield,CT

Scondon:

A wooded setting awaits you in Scodon. A three phase devolpment of country lanes surrounded by nature yet convenient to I-84 and I-684. Near the Danbury Mall, Boehringer and the Ridgefield Golf Course.

Easy access to the Metro North Train Stations. Scondon offers optional membership in the Pleasantview Recreation Association. This convenient Ridgebury location lends itself to great a great commute to Pepsi, IBM and White Plains. Very close to much protected open space, including Hemlock Hills, Pine Mountain and Bennett's Pond State Park.

Scondon Drive and Pheasant Drive Ridgefield,CT.

Chestnut Hills Estates:

A large one acre lot subdivivison in Northern Ridgefield, close to the New York State border and Ridgefield Golf Course. Enjoy the country atmosphere with the homes set on the land for the balance of privacy and neighborhood.

Finch Road Ridgefield, CT.

Briar Ridge Estates:

A desirable location with easy access to Route 7 South and I-84 west. This sought after location along the Danbury/Ridgefield border features mostly raised ranchs and colonials. Briar Woods Estates offers a neighborhood setting in a private location.

Rolfs Drive Danbury ,CT.

Ridgebury Estates (Danbury):

A commuter's delight! The Ridgebury Estates in Western Danbury is a community of 70 attractive raised ranch, split level and the occasional cape cod styled homes. Homes rarely come on the market in this community with great access to the corporate office parks nearby and I-684.

Large 1 acre lots gives the perfect mix of a neighborhood as well as privacy. Several homes in the community back up to open space.

Benson Drive Danbury, CT.

Find your next home in Ridgebury using listingbook, a tool that allows you to search the Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service (MLS) like an agent. Also, you can find recent real estate sales in your neighborhood as well as find homes for sale in the Candlewood Lake Region.Sign up for a free account today.

North Ridge:

A central location minutes north of downtown Danbury and one minute to exit 5 on I-84 sits North Ridge. The residents enjoy access to a pool and tennis courts. 105 units built in 1979.

Padanaram Road Danbury, CT

Covered Bridge:

A small complex with it's own bridged entrance over a babbling brook.

Covered Bridge is a wooded setting set off a main commuting artery and there is easy access to major shopping and restaurants.

The community features 51 townhouse style units and is next to the proposed greenway.

Padanaram Road Danbury,CT

Park Brook:

A cozy neighborhood in a hidden wooded setting just minutes to exit 6 on I-84 and shopping.

Park Brook features attractive one to three bedroom floor plans in a community where the amenities include a pool and playground.

Jeanette Road Danbury,CT.

Enclave:

Be near the heart of downtown Danbury in this special Enclave of townhomes. This community built in 1995 features 2 bedroom townhomes with open floor plan, partially finished basements and a 1 car garage.Enjoy the advantages of living in a well managed community within walking distance to shopping, restaurants and the War Memorial.

Main Street Danbury ,CT

Somers Village:

Somers Village a small community of 45 units in a central Germantown location near Western Connecticut State University and the Danbury Hospital. It is also close to the Danbury Train Station.

Somers St Danbury, CT

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Enjoy the advantages on the living prestigious west side of Danbury without breaking the bank in any of these condo and townhomes communities. With the prices, you can afford to own, stop making your landlord rich and control your own destiny by investing in your future!

Village square:

Village Square is easily accessible setting near exit 3 of I-84 and Route 7, making it an ideal commuting location for working in Westchester County, New York City , Norwalk or Stamford. 131 units enjoy access to the community pool, playground, tennis courts and club house.

Offering 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units. Close to schools, Danbury Fair Mall, corporate offices and downtown Danbury.

Park Avenue Danbury, CT.

Pinewood Circle:

Pinewood Circle is just minutes to exit 3 and exit 4 of I-84, Rt 7 and the mall making it a commuter's dream.Complete a pool and ample parking, Pinewood Circle's 54 units benefit from gas heat.

Park Avenue Danbury, CT.

Danbury Mill:

Nestled against a babbling brook, the historic building turned 42 unit complex offers 1 and 2 bedroom units with some original exposed bricks and beams exposed in a west side location minutes to New York State and highways. NY City Style at affordable Danbury Prices!

Oil Mill Road, Danbury CT

Riverwoods:

Built in 2006, the community has 2 bedroom townhomes in a convenient west Danbury spot with low common charges. Some of the 34 units have river views.

Oil Mill Road, Danbury CT

Westville Commons:

Westville Commons is a community of 82 units affordable luxury townhomes on the desirable west side of Danbury. Offering 2 townhome models plus a clubhouse and pool.

Built in 2005, the community is to be found two minutes from exit 4 on I-84 and just minutes to Richter Golf Course and the Danbury Fair Mall.

Scuppo Rd, Danbury CT.

Driftway Hills:

Set on a private hillside setting on the west side of Danbury is the tight knit Driftway Hills community. One minute to Mill Plain Rd, Driftway Hill's location is a dream for New York commuters.

Driftway Rd Danbury,CT.

Seach for affordable condos on the west side of Danbury using listingbook.

Southwoods:

A community of 62 tri level townhomes in an attractive lower Danbury location.

A great commute to lower Fairfield County and to points east and west is the main attraction to Southwoods.

South Street Danbury, CT

Summit View:

Summit View is an quiet upscale community of 77 townhomes in southern Danbury near the Bethel line. Built in 1992. A great spot for community south to Stamford/Norwalk or to New York.

South Street Danbury, Ct.

Southfield:

Southfield is centrally located in southern Danbury, minutes to both downtown Bethel and downtown Danbury. Built in 1988, consisting of 18 units.

South Street Danbury,Ct.

Camelot Court:

Affordable newer townhouses on the Danbury/Bethel line. Offering convenience and privacy in a cozy community of 30 townhomes. Low common charges including city water and sewer.

Mannions Lane, Danbury Ct.

Search for condos and townhomes or all types of real estate in Danbury and the Greater Danbury Area (Brookfield, New Fairfield, Bethel, Newtown, New Milford), the Candlewood Lake region and on the Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service (MLS) with listing book. Sign up for a free account.

A central location mintues north of downtown Danbury and close to Danbury Hospital, Western Connecticut State University and Candlewood Lake, an investment in a home in Hayestown is also investing in a lifestyle. The community features new restuarants, including Koo, Danbury Town Park, the Danbury PAL Center, Hatters Park and the Duck Pin bowling alley! Here is some information about a few the condo communities in the Hayestown area.

Park Ridge:

Located a short stroll from Candlewood Lake, the attractive country setting of Park Ridge makes it feel like you are on vacation. The complex has a variety one ,two and three bedroom floor plans.

The resident's benefit from a community pool ,playground and large amount of parking.

Rose Lane, Danbury, CT.

Arrowood:

Tucked away in a private wooded setting, yet minutes to shopping, I-84 and Candlewood Lake, Arrowood's 74 units offers peace and quiet in an attractive country setting.

The community features a pool for its residents. The one and two bedroom units are elegantly designed for today's living.

Close to schools, Danbury Hospital and Western CT State University . East Pembroke Rd Danbury,CT

Towne Summit:

An eye-catching complex near the Danbury Hospital and Candlewood Lake. The homes of Towne Summit a bright open main level floor, generous bedroom sizes upstairs plus a lower level family room with separate laundry room and garage.

Virginia Avenue Danbury, CT

Gaslight Village:

Great access to the Danbury hospital and Western Connecticut State University in a beautifully landscaped setting of 31 condos and townhomes.Built in 1990, the community is also close to shopping and exit 5 and 6 on I-84.

Dean St Danbury,CT.

Seach the Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for condos near Candlewood Lake in Danbury using listingbook. Sign up for a free account to search listings.

Another attractive neighborhood of affordable luxury townhomes in Danbury is the Arlington Woods community. Located in the convenient Shelter Rock neighborhood, Arlington Woods offers great access for both commuting to Westchester and New York and also Waterbury, Hartford and New Haven. Built in 2004, the homes have the same modern designs and superior construction that sold almost 500 homes in Sterling Woods and Kensington Woods with a fresh interpretation. The floor plans are ideal for casual and formal living.

The community features three different models, the Aspen, the Bayberry and the Chestnut. The Aspen model features 1,348 square feet, the Bayberry with 1,642 square feet and the Chestnut has 1,820 square feet of living. The units have almost the same layout: the ground level features a foyer, open living room dining room combination, kitchen, breakfast room and powder room on the main level: a master bedroom and second bedroom, each with its own bath on the second floor (except in the Aspen model there is only 1 bath upstairs, accessible through the master bedroom and hallway); and a family room in the basement, a deck and/or patio and a one car garage on the lower level (except in the Chestnut model where the garage is accessed through the main level). The units typically have hardwood floors on the main level and carpeting upstairs. Additional amenities include a fireplace in the living room, gas heat, and a residents-only pool, exercise room and meeting facilities.

There is easy access to shopping on Newtown Road (Route 6) and Federal Rd, Route 7, exit 8 on I-84 and all other local attractions and office parks and corporate centers. Currently, there are 8 homes for sale in Arlington Woods (per CMLS 6/21/08) of the 99 homes in this hillside community with a lovely wooded permiter. There are 3 Aspen models, with the average list price of $304,000, 4 Bayberry Models (including 1 under deposit) with the average list price of $351,950, and 1 Chestnut model offered at $398,000. Putting all of the numbers together for the community, the average list price is $338,063.

Search for homes for sale in Arlington Woods on ListingBook.

If you are looking for a nice affordable luxury townhome community in Danbury, Sterling Woods is your place. It is one of the largest communities in Danbury, but also sits of one of the largest parcels of land in Danbury and the buildings in the community have been designed in a way to make Sterling Woods feel more like a resort, rather than just another townhome community. It has several amenities, including a pool, clubhouse, exercise room, playground and walking trails. Homeowner associations dues start around $220 a month for the smaller units (subject to change) and include city water & sewer plus refuge service.

The original section of Sterling Woods, about 80 units,opened in 1986, and then the considerably larger section (354 units) was started about 10 years later and took several years to build out.

One of the attractions to Sterling Woods is the close proximity to almost everything minutes away from the community, the shopping options and dining options Costco,Stew Leonards, Circuit City, Home Depot, Panera Bread and Applebees. The Berkshire corporate center is close by, with businesses including GE Capital and Duracell located there. Super 7 and I-84 are also just 3 minutes away for easy access to local attractions and businesses in all directions.

There are very few units to choose from currently in Sterling Woods. There is only 1 unit for sale in the original Sterling Woods, offered at $343,000 , and 3 in the new part of Sterling Woods (2 Beechnut Models (2 bedroom 2.5 baths), offered at $350,000 and $359,000 respectfully, and 1 Chestnut model (2 bedroom 3.5 baths) offered $369,900) of the 354 units. Other styles of homes in Sterling Woods range from 2 bedroom 1.5 bath townhomes to detached homes with 3 bedrooms.

If you've been looking for a newer affordable luxury townhome on Danbury, contact me to set up an appointment to see what's waiting for you in this resort like community, in a convenient location in Northern Fairfield County.

Find your home in Sterling Woods with listingbook.

Following up to the blog I worte about 2 months ago, the condo and townhouse market in Danbury has changed a little bit since then. Here is a quick snapshot of what the current condo market is like in Danbury (per CMLS 5/16/08). Of the

Here is a quick snapspot of what the current condo market is like in Danbury (per CMLS 5/16/08). Of the 301 units that are currently active in Danbury

$200,000 and under: 75 units (including 10 under deposit). Average market time is 88 days.In addition, there are 8 units which are pending.

$200,000-$250,000: 70 units (including 3 under deposit). Average market time is 81 days. In addition, there are 5 units which are pending.

$250,000-$300,000: 46 units (including 3 under deposit). Average market time is 57 days. In addition, there are 7 units which are pending.

$300,000-$350,000: 36 units (including 5 under deposit). Average market time is 104 days. In addition, there are 10 units that are pending.

$350,000-$400,000: 23 units (including 3 under deposit). Average market time is 82 days. In addition, there are 7 units that are pending.

$400,000-$450,000: 11 units (including 0 under deposit). Average market time is 82 days. There are currently 1 units that are pending.

$450,000-$500,000: 14 units (including 0 under deposit). Average market time is 122 days. In addition, there are 2 units that are pending.

$500,000-$550,000: 14 units (including 0 under deposit). Average market time is 96 days. There are currently no units that are pending.

$550,000 and higher: 17 units (including 0 under deposit). Average market time is 121 days. There are currently 1 units that are pending.

Search the Greater Fairfield County MLS for condos and townhomes for sale in Danbury with Listing Book.

Aunt Hack, Danbury CT

Located on the western side of Danbury, the Aunt Hack neighborhood is centered on the around the Richter Golf Course. Richter Park, which opened in 1972, has a layout to accomodate golfers of all skills but also has some fairways and rolling greens with bunkers that can be a challenge at every turn. The matured landscaping plus the large tall trees lead to really special fall views againist the natural landscaping.

There are several different styles of homes. On the eastern side of the neighborhood, around the intersection of Cedar Crest Drive and Elmcrest Drive, there are mostly mid 1950s ranches and 1960s raised ranches on about 1 acre lots. As you proceed south from there are a couple different cul de sacs, some with only 1970s colonials and more modern colonials.

A couple of the streets do even have a mix of all of these styles. When you are in toward the center of the neighborhood, along Aunt Hack Road and Lindencrest, the primary homes are large mid century colonials and large mid century ranches, with a few newer homes built in the few remaining lots. Once you go around the curving roads toward the western side (roughly where Maple Crest intersects with Aunt Hack Road), there becomes more of an overall variety of homes. Styles and eras range from 1980s contemporaries to modern traditional colonials and some large cape and ranches.

One of the major attractions to the Aunt Hack neighborhood is the superb location for commuting and shopping. The neighborhood has been easy access to exit 2 of I-84 and is only 7 minutes away from I-84. The location is also ideal for those working in the large office buildings on the west side and southern end of Danbury, such as Boehringer Ingelheim, Belimo, GE Captial, Cartus and Raytheon among others. Many new restaurants and stores has opened down the road on Mill Plain Road .Another feature that makes this neighborhood special in Danbury is the potential to become a member in the Aunt Hack Swim Club, a private association.

There are currently 10 homes for sale in the Aunt Hack neighborhood (per CMLS 5/14/08). Prices range from $385,000 for a 3 bedroom 2.5 bath ranch built in 1968 on 1.2 acres with some water views up to $995,000 for a 5 bedroom 4 full bath colonial with 3950 square feet sited on just under a 1 acre lot built in 1993.With an average list price of $594,289, the average list price is 25% higher than the city of Danbury as a whole, but the current market time is 33% less.

In 2007, 17 of homes were sold in the Aunt Hack neighborhood (per CMLS) with the average list to sale price of 96.5% Real estate sales ranged from $336,000 for the small price to x$ for the big house. The average sales price in the community in 2007 was $555,555. There has been not been any sales in the neighborhood so far this year, however 3 sales are pending with the average asking price of $599,767.

If you are or know of anyone that is thinking about selling their home in Aunt Hack or would like a personal tour or for me to send the homes currently only the market in the Aunt Hack neighborhood in Danbury, please call me at 203-796-7700x305, 203-417-0523, or send me an email.

Search for real estate for sale in Aunt Hack and on the west side of Danbury with Listing Book.

Please a take a moment to look at the virtual tour: