Moving with our dog
Mar 17th 2019, 4:23 pm
#16
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Re: Moving with our dog
Thank you for the replies!
Hmm.... Hubby has a 2h commute each way now so we would really like to cut down on that if possible. We are budgeting for 2 cars anyway, the idea being him driving to the train station to commute (he will be working right by Grand Central as well) and me still being able to get around too. Hubby has one colleague in Ridgefield and one in Norwalk who were both singing praises over their home towns but I guess we'll just have to see what feels right when we're on our reccie, taking all the input we get here into consideration along the way. I guess it also depends on what properties are available at the time we are looking as I understand the rental market moves rather quickly over there.... And which landlords allow dogs, of course
Hmm.... Hubby has a 2h commute each way now so we would really like to cut down on that if possible. We are budgeting for 2 cars anyway, the idea being him driving to the train station to commute (he will be working right by Grand Central as well) and me still being able to get around too. Hubby has one colleague in Ridgefield and one in Norwalk who were both singing praises over their home towns but I guess we'll just have to see what feels right when we're on our reccie, taking all the input we get here into consideration along the way. I guess it also depends on what properties are available at the time we are looking as I understand the rental market moves rather quickly over there.... And which landlords allow dogs, of course
Mar 17th 2019, 11:23 pm
#17
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: Moving with our dog
You should look at the timetables for the Metro-North Railroad — the New Haven and the Harlem lines, to see which towns lie within a suitable commuting range. The New Haven line serves the places you have mentioned in CT (though actually when I lived in Ridgefield I would drive half an hour to Katonah and take the Harlem line to Grand Central). The Harlem line goes through Westchester County, New York, which has many nice towns with good school districts that might make a better option for your OH with a shorter commute.
Mar 18th 2019, 2:55 am
#18
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Moving with our dog
Thank you for your response debdes! So you didn't need to get a health certificate or anything? From what I read that's what we *should* need along with the rabies shot. She has a passport but it's Latvian cause ethics where she's originally from but im hoping so long as all her shots are up to date that won't be an issue 
So did you need to call the airline and add the dog to your booking? Sounds ideal the way you did it and it's what we were hoping to be able to do - just drop her off with our luggage and then pick her up at our destination...
So did you need to call the airline and add the dog to your booking? Sounds ideal the way you did it and it's what we were hoping to be able to do - just drop her off with our luggage and then pick her up at our destination...Last edited by Pulaski; Mar 18th 2019 at 2:58 am.
Mar 18th 2019, 11:18 am
#19
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Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 976
Re: Moving with our dog
As others have suggested, the airline might have additional requirements, so it's a good idea to check with them also. That being said, we travel by car from Canada to the US fairly regularly and our dog comes with us. The only requirement for him to cross into the US (and back into Canada) is a vaccination report from our vet showing that he has had his rabies shot more than 30 days and less than a year before he crosses the border.
Mar 18th 2019, 7:49 pm
#20
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Re: Moving with our dog
You should look at the timetables for the Metro-North Railroad — the New Haven and the Harlem lines, to see which towns lie within a suitable commuting range. The New Haven line serves the places you have mentioned in CT (though actually when I lived in Ridgefield I would drive half an hour to Katonah and take the Harlem line to Grand Central). The Harlem line goes through Westchester County, New York, which has many nice towns with good school districts that might make a better option for your OH with a shorter commute.
But we will speak to our realtor (a colleague's wife) and see where we are at. NYS seems to have some beautiful countryside as well, but I feel like we've set our hearts on CT (well, him more so than me as I've never even been there yet lol!)If you plan on exercising your dog anywhere other than the local "city park" invest in a blaze orange vest for him (her?). While the precaution may be unnecessary, it may also help prevent a catastrophe.
) so I'm guessing it might not be as pressing as she'll always be under our "control"...?As others have suggested, the airline might have additional requirements, so it's a good idea to check with them also. That being said, we travel by car from Canada to the US fairly regularly and our dog comes with us. The only requirement for him to cross into the US (and back into Canada) is a vaccination report from our vet showing that he has had his rabies shot more than 30 days and less than a year before he crosses the border.
Mar 18th 2019, 8:35 pm
#21
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Moving with our dog
.... Unless you plan to go walking in the woods, in which case you should also get a blaze orange vest and ball cap for yourself. 
Mar 18th 2019, 10:58 pm
#22
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 4
Re: Moving with our dog
I highly recommend you check out PetAirUK. They flew my two cats out to Tampa and were just amazing. They will be able to let you know everything your dog will need to fly and can arrange them to be on the same flight as you. They really were worth every penny and the crates they built for my cats have been kept for emergency evacuations
Mar 19th 2019, 1:32 pm
#23
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Joined: Mar 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 352
Re: Moving with our dog
We moved with our dog back to the US last summer with Delta, who took great care of him. A little tip for the crate, print out your flight itinerary and the dog's name, along with a contact number both in the UK and the US, to make it easier for the handlers. When checking him in, we provided Delta with his health certificate, rabies vaccination record, and a letter from our vet to say he was in good health to handle the flight. When you board the flight, you can ask one of the cabin crew to confirm that your dog is on board too, and to remind the captain of that!
Upon arrival in the US, customs just wanted the health certificate and it was very quick and hassle free. We were able to keep the food we brought in with us, but I've heard from others they make you discard any dog food.
Worth mentioning we moved from Japan not UK, and were on orders, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference. Just wanted to share our experience.
Good luck!
Upon arrival in the US, customs just wanted the health certificate and it was very quick and hassle free. We were able to keep the food we brought in with us, but I've heard from others they make you discard any dog food.
Worth mentioning we moved from Japan not UK, and were on orders, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference. Just wanted to share our experience.
Good luck!
Mar 20th 2019, 1:48 pm
#24
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 199
Re: Moving with our dog
I highly recommend you check out PetAirUK. They flew my two cats out to Tampa and were just amazing. They will be able to let you know everything your dog will need to fly and can arrange them to be on the same flight as you. They really were worth every penny and the crates they built for my cats have been kept for emergency evacuations
Oh dear.... lol! I shall look into this, thank you!We moved with our dog back to the US last summer with Delta, who took great care of him. A little tip for the crate, print out your flight itinerary and the dog's name, along with a contact number both in the UK and the US, to make it easier for the handlers. When checking him in, we provided Delta with his health certificate, rabies vaccination record, and a letter from our vet to say he was in good health to handle the flight. When you board the flight, you can ask one of the cabin crew to confirm that your dog is on board too, and to remind the captain of that!
Upon arrival in the US, customs just wanted the health certificate and it was very quick and hassle free. We were able to keep the food we brought in with us, but I've heard from others they make you discard any dog food.
Worth mentioning we moved from Japan not UK, and were on orders, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference. Just wanted to share our experience.
Good luck!
Upon arrival in the US, customs just wanted the health certificate and it was very quick and hassle free. We were able to keep the food we brought in with us, but I've heard from others they make you discard any dog food.
Worth mentioning we moved from Japan not UK, and were on orders, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference. Just wanted to share our experience.
Good luck!
Mar 20th 2019, 4:55 pm
#25
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,854
Re: Moving with our dog
Ok, great! Thanks for the advice and I'm glad your dogs are ok! What kind are they, if you don't mind me asking? We have a dachshund (or shall I say Wiener dog )
We are looking at places like Ridgefield (I quite like the idea of being a bit further inland as we're right on the south coast here in the UK and I miss being near the woods....! Plus I'm sooo tired of it always being windy
) We are also considering the route along Stamford, Norwalk, perhaps Weston or Easton. Hubby will be working right in NYC so wer're trying to stay within a comfortably commutable range for him. Good schools are important too as we have 2 kids as well..... I have never actually been to CT so I have no idea what to expect lol! Can't wait for our reccie but it's obviously starting to get a bit stressful here already trying to find out everything we need to know and getting our ducks in a row.....
Mind if I'm a bit nosey? Where are you in CT? And how do you like it? Anything you wish you'd known before moving out there?
)We are looking at places like Ridgefield (I quite like the idea of being a bit further inland as we're right on the south coast here in the UK and I miss being near the woods....! Plus I'm sooo tired of it always being windy
) We are also considering the route along Stamford, Norwalk, perhaps Weston or Easton. Hubby will be working right in NYC so wer're trying to stay within a comfortably commutable range for him. Good schools are important too as we have 2 kids as well..... I have never actually been to CT so I have no idea what to expect lol! Can't wait for our reccie but it's obviously starting to get a bit stressful here already trying to find out everything we need to know and getting our ducks in a row.....Mind if I'm a bit nosey? Where are you in CT? And how do you like it? Anything you wish you'd known before moving out there?
https://www.fairfieldct.org/lakemohegan
And after October / March they also take dogs to the beach:
https://www.fairfieldct.org/content/2765/2783/3418.aspx
If you are renting you won’t pay property tax directly, but it will factor in to your rent, in Fairfield (Town, it's the same name as the county) the rental properties are mostly closer to the train stations or Universities. A lot of other areas with better schools are mainly owner occupied. Although some rentals do pop up in those areas, often when someone has failed to sell a property. As an aside while some real estate agents cover multiple towns I have not met any that are registered in NY and CT, I guess they could exsist closer to the state line, so you may need multiple if you are looking in a wider area.
Last edited by tht; Mar 20th 2019 at 5:04 pm.
Mar 20th 2019, 7:10 pm
#26
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,854
Re: Moving with our dog
For Schools use somthing like this as a starting point:
https://www.greatschools.org/search/...arter&state=CT
But make sure you go to the town website and check the address of any rental again their list, because the maps are not always accurate and even some streets may have 1 side go to 1 school and the other to a different one.
https://www.greatschools.org/search/...arter&state=CT
But make sure you go to the town website and check the address of any rental again their list, because the maps are not always accurate and even some streets may have 1 side go to 1 school and the other to a different one.
Mar 20th 2019, 9:59 pm
#27
Peace onion
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 5,686
Re: Moving with our dog
As we always tell people who want to bring over their televisions/cars etc; it's easier and cheaper to just sell it and get a new one here.
A lot less hassle all round. Probably easier on dog. Plus you can typically get a better model for what you pay in the UK.
A lot less hassle all round. Probably easier on dog. Plus you can typically get a better model for what you pay in the UK.
Mar 20th 2019, 10:17 pm
#28
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: Moving with our dog
Mar 21st 2019, 11:46 am
#29
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 199
Re: Moving with our dog
You don’t have to be inland for woods, a-lot of dog owners in our town go places like this:
https://www.fairfieldct.org/lakemohegan
And after October / March they also take dogs to the beach:
https://www.fairfieldct.org/content/2765/2783/3418.aspx
If you are renting you won’t pay property tax directly, but it will factor in to your rent, in Fairfield (Town, it's the same name as the county) the rental properties are mostly closer to the train stations or Universities. A lot of other areas with better schools are mainly owner occupied. Although some rentals do pop up in those areas, often when someone has failed to sell a property. As an aside while some real estate agents cover multiple towns I have not met any that are registered in NY and CT, I guess they could exsist closer to the state line, so you may need multiple if you are looking in a wider area.
For Schools use somthing like this as a starting point:
https://www.greatschools.org/search/...arter&state=CT
But make sure you go to the town website and check the address of any rental again their list, because the maps are not always accurate and even some streets may have 1 side go to 1 school and the other to a different one.
https://www.greatschools.org/search/...arter&state=CT
But make sure you go to the town website and check the address of any rental again their list, because the maps are not always accurate and even some streets may have 1 side go to 1 school and the other to a different one.
We are currently looking at sites like realtor.com or Zillow and checking their school ratings but we keep being told that the school ratings really only become relevant from high school so we shouldn't worry too much about it yet.... We do have quite a long wish list for the property (purely because we LOVE our house here in the UK so it'll have big shoes to fill lol) but we realise some compromise might be necessary as it'll depend purely on what properties are out there when we come to seriously look for a home....