A gem of the East Coast, Stamford, located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, is an unbeatable place to live, work, study, and raise a family. About an hour drive from New York City, Stamford combines suburban appeal with urban amenities, providing both space for peace and solitude and opportunities for connectivity. Visitors and residents of Stamford can wander around the lively downtown area for a shopping spree and dining or dip their toes in the water at a sandy beach at one of the city’s numerous parks. With all that it has to offer, Stamford should definitely be on your list of communities to check out.
Overview of Stamford, CT
In 1640, European settlers purchased the land of Stamford, originally called Rippowam, from the native inhabitants. The native inhabitants signed over a tract of land that stretched from the Mianus River to Bedford, Pound Ridge, Five Mile River, and Long Island South. They received four kettles, four fathoms of white wampum, twelve knives, twelve hatchets, twelve glasses, twelve hoes, and twelve coats in exchange for the land.
By 1790, Stamford had developed into an agricultural and market town of about 4,000 residents, most of whom were farmers who grew rye, oats, livestock, wheat, corn, and potatoes. Nearly 60 years later, the railroad was born, giving outsiders access to Stamford. The town’s population more than doubled to 11,000 by 1880 and steadily grew from there. In 1933, the state legislature approved a new charter for Stamford, which allowed for a salaried mayor, a city council, and a finance board.
Today, Stamford is home to over 136,000 people.
The Schools in Stamford, CT
Stamford is part of the Stamford Public Schools district, which educates over 16,000 students. The district comprises two pre-schools, 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, and three high schools.
Parents also have a handful of private early education options to choose from for their young learners. If searching for a faith-based learning program, there’s the Catholic Academy of Stamford and the Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut. For those looking for a comprehensive, enriching curriculum, The Children’s School might be best suited for your children’s needs. The private school teaches students about literacy, numeracy, the arts, technology, and more, paired with enrichment programs like American Sign Language, sewing, robotics, yoga, zoology, and chess to name a few.
The University of Connecticut has one of its regional campuses located in Stamford, an ideal option for students seeking an education from a renowned research university but in a small college town setting. The university offers 14 bachelor’s degree programs, several graduate and professional programs, and over 4,500 internships, providing its students with diverse, comprehensive learning opportunities.
Transportation in Stamford, CT
Getting around Stamford and the surrounding areas is simple and convenient due to the plethora of public transportation options. Many routes via CTTransit make stops at different parts of town, including downtown and the Stamford Transportation Center, which serves as a hub for InterCity bus services (Peter Pan and Greyhound), the Metro-North Railroad, and Amtrak. The Stamford train station for the Metro-North Railroad is only about an hour commute to the Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Additionally, Amtrak has a station in Stamford and makes connections in major destinations in the Northeast region, including New York City, Washington, D.C., Providence, RI, and Philadelphia.
For those with a bigger travel itch, no need to fret. There are a handful of major airports nearby with domestic and international flights, whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or an extended vacation overseas. The Westchester County Airport is only approximately 18 miles away from Stamford, meanwhile, LaGuardia Airport is about 34 miles away, John F. Kennedy International Airport 42 miles away, and Teterboro Airport 39 miles away.
Parks & Outdoor Recreation in Stamford, CT
To say that Stamford has abundant open spaces and outdoor activities is quite the understatement. With over 40 beautiful parks and recreational areas, residents and visitors have endless choices for how and where they want to unwind. Many parks feature playgrounds, skating rinks, fishing, picnic spots, horseshoe pits, sports fields and courts, marinas, and more.
A park that should be on everyone’s bucket list is Mill River Park run by the Mill Park River Collaborative. The park spans 14 acres and features pathways for biking and walking, a pavilion with a carousel, a bakery, patio, a performance space, fountain, and ice skating rink. Further development plans include extending the park to the South End Shoreline and up to Merritt Parkway with pathways. Other outdoor spaces to visit include Cove Island Park, which features a wildlife sanctuary and beaches, and Cummings Park’s beach, fishing pier, and boardwalk on the Long Island Sound.
Garden lovers can check out the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens. Described as a “living classroom” for people to immerse themselves in nature, the arboretum houses 13 gardens and hundreds of species, making it perfect for strolling the grounds or researching plant species.
Additionally, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center offers plenty of activities for kids and families, including the Heckscher Farm, Nature’s Playground, the Wheels in the Woods accessible trail, an observatory with a motorized roll-back roof, the Edith & Robert Graham Otter Pond, and the Knobloch Family Farmhouse.
For those wanting to putt a golf ball around, Stamford provides a couple of choices: E. Gaynor Brennan Municipal Golf Course and the Sterling Farms Municipal Golf Course. Now, for individuals drawn to the water and coastal habitats, Soundwaters Coastal Education Center is a must see. Surrounded by salt marshes and sandy beaches, the center, located in Cove Island Park, hosts a wide range of programs, including concerts, workshops, lectures, art exhibits, environmental displays, and canoe trips.
Dining and Shopping in Stamford, CT
For avid shoppers and foodies, Stamford provides a smorgasbord of diverse retailers and dining options.
The Stamford Town Center, located downtown, is a mecca for shopping and dining by itself with over 100 shops and a pedestrian-friendly restaurant strip. The center includes familiar brands, such as Macy’s, J. Crew, The Cheesecake Factory, and The Capital Grille, but also unique local boutiques and eateries. Halo Rolling Ice Cream is a delightful pit stop to grab refreshing delicious ice cream, smoothies, fruit teas, milk teas, or bubble teas. If you’re a skating enthusiast, pop into Dxxdle for creative skateboards, artwork, or apparel. Meanwhile, crystal lovers can peruse the shelves at Patty Blue Crystals, a handmade jewelry store that sells ethically sourced gems and crystals founded by a certified crystal healer.
The downtown area also provides some other high-quality dining and shopping options outside of the town center, including Columbus Park Trattoria, Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar, U & I Deco Fine Arts & Framing, and Zemo Men’s Store.
Culture and Arts in Stamford, CT
With a thriving culture and arts scene, Stamford provides a robust community for creatives. The Palace Theatre hosts local cultural organizations, such as the Stamford Symphony Orchestra, the Connecticut Ballet, major off-Broadway musicals, and world-renowned performers. On the other hand, the Avon Theatre promises an “art cinema” experience and displays art house and independent films.
The Stamford Art Association’s Townhouse Gallery hosts eight shows, a mix of solo exhibits and juried exhibits, annually. The association is a nonprofit made up of sculptors, printmakers, painters, photographers, and multimedia artists.
History buffs can find solace at the Stamford History Center and its various exhibits, mostly about local history. The center also houses a research and genealogy library, a thrift shop, and the Hoyt-Barnum House, the oldest residence in Stamford containing artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Thinking About Moving to Stamford, CT?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a young professional seeking business opportunities and an exciting nightlife or a family wanting to raise your children in a community with several outdoor activities. Stamford has amenities and perks to meet everyone’s needs and desires.
Want to learn more about Stamford, CT? Contact a local expert strategist to learn more about the community or to find your next home in Stamford.
