Since you are renting, taxes won’t be as big of a deal then if you bought, so you might want to look at the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. Definitely has a social life that is walkable. Can walk to a train station. If you are hung up on the taxes, then look at Milford. Also consider when would you be driving to either Fairfield or New Haven, you don’t want to be stuck driving on 95 to Fairfield in the morning!