Are you thinking of living in Stamford, CT? Stamford is a city in the suburbs where you benefit from city conveniences while still living the coastal Connecticut lifestyle. In this article, we will shed some light on the pros and cons of living in Stamford.
Pros of Living in Stamford
1. Easy Commute to NYC
If you’re working in New York City, Stamford is an easy commute into NYC. As a main Metro North hub in Connecticut, the Stamford Metro North train station gets many express trains. That means you don’t have to wait long on the platform for a train!
The commute to NYC from Stamford is around an hour on the train.
Another good thing about living in Stamford is that there are 3 Metro North train stations- there is the Stamford station, the Glenbrook station and the Springdale station.
Parking is also relatively easier at the Stamford train station compared to other Metro North stations where there are notoriously long waitlists. Stamford has recently built more parking structures at the train station.
2. Amtrak Station
Stamford is an Amtrak station. That means you can catch the Amtrak to Boston or Washington DC from the Stamford train station.
It’s also an Acela station, which gives you high-speed trains to Boston and Washington DC.
3. Lots of Housing Options in Stamford
One of the best things about living in Stamford is that you have a lot of housing options. Whether you are looking to live in an apartment, townhouse, starter home, or waterfront estate- Stamford has got it all!
If you are looking for a leafy, residential neighborhood for your family- then consider moving to neighborhoods like North Stamford or Newfield. Settle into a beautiful colonial home in North Stamford!
If you want to experience city living experience in Stamford. You can consider moving into apartments in downtown Stamford and Harbor Point.
4. Shop and Restaurants
Stamford draws a lot of non-residents from neighboring Fairfield County towns. Why? Because it’s a shopping and dining hub in lower Fairfield County!
From rooftop bars to after-work happy hours to trendy cafes to fine dining restaurants- Stamford has it all. There is no shortage of restaurants and shops in Stamford.
There are also a lot of restaurants and shops along High Ridge Road.
5. Beach Lifestyle
Dreaming of living the beach lifestyle while still being close enough to commute to NYC? Stamford makes that dream a reality with not one, not two, but four beaches.
Whether it’s sunbathing, swimming, or simply soaking up the coastal vibes, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to unwind by the water.
6. Affordability Meets Proximity
Stamford is one of the more affordable towns to live in Fairfield County. You get to enjoy the perks of living in Fairfield County without breaking the bank!
Stamford has a median home price of $581,331.
7. Lots of Recreation
Stamford is home to a diverse range of recreational facilities. For sports enthusiasts, there are numerous options such as golfing, biking, boating, skating, and tennis.
Stamford has a lot of family-friendly facilities such as Chelsea Piers, a massive athletic facility with an indoor water park, multiple ice skating rinks, tennis, ball fields and a preschool.
Or Bobby Valentine’s an indoor baseball field. There are also other private facilities like the JCC, and the Italian Center.
For Ice Skating, there are several indoor ice rinks in Stamford including Terry Conners and Stamford Twin Rinks.
Families love the Stamford Museum and Nature Center for its farm animals.
Greenwich also has private country clubs and yacht clubs for those interested in joining.
Cons of Living in Stamford, CT
1. Traffic
Traffic congestion on I-95 can slow to a crawl during rush hour. It’s a problem that is not unique to Stamford, most of Connecticut that is connected via I-95 encounters this traffic!
2. Old Housing Stock
If you are looking for brand new construction in a planned community, it’s not very common in Stamford. Stamford homes are older.
When you buy a house in Stamford, you will most likely be buying a renovated home or you will most likely have to do some home renovation to get the house to your liking.
With the exception of condos, there are a lot of new condominium developments in downtown Stamford right now.
3. Expensive to Live in Stamford
It’s expensive to live in Stamford. It costs $10,959.57 a month for a family of four to live in Stamford, CT!
Check out our Stamford Cost of Living Calculator to find out how much your monthly cost will be if you live in Stamford.
What’s So Great About Living in Stamford
Stamford is a great place to live in because it offers an easy NYC commute, a range of housing options, a vibrant dining and shopping scene, beachfront relaxation, and affordability!
When it comes to finding an affordable Connecticut town that is commutable to NYC, Stamford emerges as a top contender.
These are the reasons why Stamford is often considered one of the best places to live in Connecticut.
Below is a video of Stamford, CT:
Living in Stamford, CT: FAQ
Stamford, CT is located in Fairfield County with approximately 135,470 people. Like most NYC suburbs, the majority of households in Stamford consist of families and approximately 19.7% of the population are children under 18 years old.
Stamford has a median income of $93,059. Just over half of the married households in Stamford are dual-income households while 38.3% of married households have either a stay at home mom or stay at home dad.
Below you will find useful information if you are thinking of living in Stamford, CT. The information presented in this article is based on data from the US Census American Community Survey.
What is the population of Stamford, CT?
The population of Stamford, CT is approximately 135,470 with a median age of 37.4 years old.
Are Stamford Residents Well Educated?
50% of Stamford residents have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. Compare this to overall Connecticut where 39% of CT residents have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
Check out: White Plains, NY vs Stamford, CT (Where Should You Live?)
Is Stamford Diverse?
64.2% of Stamford residents are white, 8% of Stamford residents are Asians, 28% of Stamford residents are Hispanic and 16.3% of Stamford residents are African Americans.
Are there a lot of families living in Stamford?
Compared to other towns in Fairfield County, there are not as many family households in Stamford. Family households in Stamford make up 47.3% of all households. The average family size in Stamford is 3.15. 19.7% of Stamford residents are children under 18 years old and 5.8% of Stamford residents are under 5 years old.
Are there are lot of Stay at Home Moms in Stamford?
Most households in Stamford are dual income households. There are 51.6% of married households in Stamford with both parents working, 33.6% of married households in Stamford have Stay at Home Moms and 4.7% of married households in Stamford have Stay at Home Dads.
Are there are a lot of Singles in Stamford?
Majority of households in Stamford consist of married couple household. Married couples represent 62.3% of all households in Stamford while single households represent 37.7% of all households in Stamford. Of the single households, 27.6% are singles without kids, 11.3% are single mom households and 3.8% single dad households.
Is Stamford Affluent?
Stamford has a median household income of $93,059. Compare this to overall Connecticut where the median household income is $78,444.
How Many Cars do Stamford Residents own?
41.2% of Stamford households own 1 car, 33% of Stamford households own 2 cars and 15.7% of Stamford households own 3 or more cars.
Are there a lot of rentals in Stamford?
There are a lot of rentals in Stamford. 51.6% of homes in Stamford are owner-occupied housing, while 48.4% of homes in Stamford are rentals.
How Much Is Rent in Stamford, CT?
The median gross rent in Stamford is $1,812. Compare this to overall Connecticut where the median gross rent is $1,180.
What is the Median Home Value in Stamford, CT?
The Median Home Value of owner-occupied homes in Stamford is $532,700.
What County is Stamford, CT located in?
Stamford, CT is in Fairfield County.
How Big is Stamford, CT?
Stamford is 37.6 square miles.
How Long is the Average Commute to Work for Stamford Residents?
The mean travel time to work for Stamford residents is 28 minutes. Compare this to overall Connecticut where the average time to work is 27 minutes.
What is the Property Tax Rate in Stamford, CT?
Every town in Connecticut sets its own property tax rate (mill rate). To get Stamford’s mill rate, check out our article: Connecticut Mill Rates: Town by Town List
How to Calculate Connecticut Property Taxes
Use our Calculator to Compute Your Property Taxes: How to calculate Property taxes in Connecticut?
How to Appeal your Connecticut Property Taxes
How Much is the Real Estate Transfer Tax in Connecticut?
Selling Your Home in Connecticut? Use our Calculator to compute the transfer tax: Connecticut Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculator
Salaries in Connecticut
Are you getting paid enough? What are the Highest Paying Jobs in Connecticut? (Infographs)
How Long is the Average Commute to Work for Stamford residents?
The average commute to work for Stamford residents is 27.1 minutes.
Schools in Stamford, CT
Stamford Public School has 13 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 3 High Schools. The best way to find out which school you are districted to is to use the Stamford Public School Look Up.
What are the Elementary Schools in Stamford?
There are 13 elementary schools in Stamford. Below is a list of Stamford Elementary Schools:
- Davenport Ridge Elementary School
- Hart Magnet Elementary School
- Julia A. Stark Elementary School
- KT Murphy Elementary School
- Newfield Elementary School
- Northeast Elementary School
- Rogers International School
- Roxbury Elementary School
- Springdale Elementary School
- Stillmeadow Elementary School
- Strawberry Hill Elementary School
- Toquam Magnet
- Westover Magnet
What are the Middle Schools in Stamford?
There are 5 middle schools in Stamford. Here is a list of Stamford Middle Schools:
- Cloonan Middle School
- Dolan Middle School
- Rippowam Middle School
- Scofield Magnet
- Turn of River Middle School
What are the High Schools in Stamford?
There are 3 high schools in Stamford. Here is a list of high schools in Stamford.
- AITE High School
- Stamford High School
- Westhill High School
Is there School Bus Transportation in Stamford?
School Bus transportation is provided to Stamford Public School students who meet the following criteria:
- School Bus transportation is provided to Stamford Elementary School students living 1 mile or more from school
- School Bus transportation is provided to Stamford Middle school students living more than 1 1/2 miles from school
- School Bus transportation is provided to Stamford High school students living more than 2 miles from school
- Any Stamford Public School student with an identified physical or mental disability requiring specialized transportation are eligible for school bus transporation
Which Metro North Train station is closest to Stamford?
Stamford residents have the option to use three Metro North train stations- Stamford station, Springdale station and Glenbrook station.
Springdale and Glenbrook stations are part of the New Canaan branch and depending on which train you take, you may have to transfer at the Stamford station. The fastest and most direct station is the Stamford Metro North train station.
How Long is the Train Ride from Stamford to NYC?
It takes an hour to take the train from Stamford to NYC. Below are commute times for each station in Stamford:
- The commute from Stamford Metro North train station to Grand Central terminal is approximately 53 minutes to 1 hour and 6 minutes.
- The commute from Glenbrook station to Grand Central Terminal is approximately 57 minutes to 1 hour 14 minutes minutes.
- The commute from the Springdale station to Grand Central Terminal is approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 24 minutes.
Is there parking at the Stamford Metro North Train Stations?
There are several parking lots at the Stamford train station. You can get a monthly parking permit to park at these lots or you can park at the daily parking spots.
How Do I Get a Monthly Parking Permit at Stamford Metro North Station?
To get a monthly parking permit at the Stamford Metro-North Station, you need to call the parking lots. If there is a waitlist, put your name down in the waitlist.
You have a few options for monthly permit parking at the Stamford Metro-North Train station. Republic garage which is right at the station has a waitlist of 8 months. The fee is $70 per month for parking. You can reach Republic Garage at 203-327-7998. In order to add your name to the waitlist, you need to apply in person. Parking permits at Republic Garage are available to both residents and non-residents.
Another option is to park at the Harbor Point Gateway Garage which is 5 minutes away and has no waitlist but at twice the price ($145 per month vs. $70 per month). You can sign up online for a garage space.
A third option is the Metro Center parking lot which is across the street and has a waitlist as well. You can call Metro Center at 203-353-5346.
Where is the Daily Parking at Stamford Metro North station?
Daily parking is available right at the Stamford train station (Republic garage). These are daily parking spots are for 16 hours. It usually gets crowded by 9am but you can usually get a daily parking spot at the rooftop.
You may also be interested in: How long are the Waitlists for Metro-North Train station parking in Fairfield County, Connecticut?
Interviews with Stamford Residents
Check out our interviews with Stamford residents. Get a peek into their life in Stamford.
Living in Stamford and New Canaan, CT- Laura Anne Barbosa
Matteo Pozzi’s Life in Stamford, CT
Megan Schinella’s Life in Stamford, CT
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