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Moving to Fairfield CT? – 6 Top Tips Before You Move

Streamline your Fairfield CT move so that you can feel comfortable in your new hometown on Day One.

Discover the 6 top tips to keep in mine when planning move to Fairfield CT with Fairfield CT Realtor, Jennifer Lockwood. It can sometimes be intimidating to move to a new area. You may be wondering which neighborhood is right for you or what to expect in terms of lifestyle and day-to-day activities. If you’re considering a move to Fairfield CT, I’m here to help make your transition easier than you ever thought possible. Here are my six top tips to keep in mind when you’re planning a move to Fairfield.

1.   Be prepared for wide-ranging weather patterns.

One of the things you’ll often hear people talk about when living in Connecticut is their love of the four distinct seasons we experience here. Here’s what to expect in each.

Spring

April showers bring May flowers, as they say, and In the spring, we do have a fair amount of rain, with some lingering cool weather. It takes a while to warm up, but does so by the time June rolls around.

Summer

In the summer, we can get from 80-90 degrees with a fair amount of humidity. We also have a lovely and warm late summer, continuing into mid-September.

Fall

Like many New Englanders, fall is my favorite time of year. The weather gets cooler — around 60 degrees — and the changing leaves make a beautiful setting for hiking. You’ll see spectacular colors here in Connecticut and enjoy convenient proximity for short trips to Vermont and New Hampshire where the leaf-peeping is really incredible.

Winter

Winter is cold (around 20-30 degrees on average) with occasional colder, stormier winters. We could have snowstorms every other week, while some years we have none at all. In Fairfield proper, anything north of the Merritt Parkway tends to get more inches of snow and colder weather than neighborhoods to the south. If you live on the beach or at the center of town, you’ll get less snow than someone only 10 or 15 minutes away.

2.   Though we don’t have local teams, you’ll still find plenty of big sports fans.

Here in Southwestern Connecticut, we’re only an hour from New York, so many of us tend to adopt New York teams. I am a diehard New York Giants fan along with all of my family. We’re only an hour and 15 minutes away from MetLife Stadium. For baseball, we’re only an hour from Yankee Stadium.

What tends to happen is that if you’re a New York Giants fan, you tend to be a Yankee fan. If you’re a New York Jets fan, you tend to be a New York Mets fan. And you’ll find quite a few of both around here.

Connecticut is in New England, of course, so we do have a lot of New England Patriots fans and Boston Red Sox fans. There’s quite a mix here, so no matter what team you root for, you’ll find lots of passionate fans to root with.

3.   You’ll enjoy the convenience of exceptional train service.

There are three train stations on the Metro North train line that goes right into the city. In addition, we have an Amtrak stop right next door in Bridgeport. It’s super-convenient for those commuting or trying to get into New York quickly — we’re only an hour and 15 minutes away by train.

If you need to commute to the city on a regular basis, you’ll need to get a parking pass. Visit the fairfieldct.org website and apply for that sooner rather than later since there’s a waiting list depending on which train station you want to use. In addition, you’ll find a wealth of information on that website about parking and train service.

4.   Fairfield is a tremendously pet-friendly place.

If you’re moving here with pets, you’ll find a pet-friendly community. There is a leash law for your dog, so if you’re walking them, you’ll have to use a leash and pick up after them. However, we are fortunate enough to have two locations where dogs can go off-leash.

From October 1 to March 31 you can go to Jennings Beach and have your dog run around off-leash. Year-round you can go to Lake Mohegan Cascade — which is a beautiful mile trail — and let your dogs off of their leashes. There you’ll find a great community of fellow pet owners who come there and walk their dogs.

If you’re looking for more locations, including other off-leash experiences, check out the website bringfido.com. In addition, go to fairfieldct.org and the Fairfield Recreation Department. There’s a link there with all of the rules that pertain to dogs and horses and the area trails. While the rules have changed a little bit due to CDC guidelines, you can go to these sites and stay up-to-date on the current policies before you bring your dogs out with you to see the town.

 

5.   Fairfield CT neighborhoods are some of the best in the country.

Of course, one of the things you probably want to know — and one of the more important things to take into consideration — is where do you want to live within the town of Fairfield? There are twelve distinctly different neighborhoods with their own unique characteristics and price points.

As we start your search, we’ll answer some of the following:

  • What is the median average price range within Fairfield’s neighborhoods and how do they fit into your budget?
  • Do you need to be near the town center? The beach?
  • Do you want to be walkable to the train or town restaurants or do you want more property?

You’ll find a wide variety of options in area neighborhoods. Some communities have relatively small lots while others have a quarter acre up to a half acre. In Greenfield Hill, you can get two acres of property, but of course the price point is a little bit higher because you have more land.

Different areas of town experience different levels of demand. In the current market, the beach area, the center of town, and Southport are all quite sought after. You can find plenty of information under the Town tab on my website. Check them out and let’s discuss the areas you’re most excited about.

6.   You’ll find plenty of places online to start your research if you’re moving to Fairfield CT.

Finally, let’s talk about places where you can start doing research even before you move. These social media accounts and websites offer you a wealth of information.

Instagram

@fairfield_moms

Here you’ll find a great resource for community events, things happening around town, and information on many of the area’s small businesses.

Facebook

You can join some Facebook groups where you’ll find local people who give recommendations and offer their personal experiences. Feel free to ask some questions there and you’ll get more insight and information than you’ll find just by looking on the internet.

Websites

Fairfield has quite a few entrepreneurs and small businesses. In fact, we have a mantra here: “Doing it local.” That’s because we try to support as many small, local businesses as we can.  Check out the following for information on the local business community:

Of course, it’s my goal to be your ultimate resource. Reach out to me by phone, text, or email anytime. I love what I do and I love introducing newcomers to all of the best of Fairfield, Connecticut. I’m here to help you all along the way.

Want more information on Fairfield CT? Check out my website and neighborhood information
Town of Fairfield

Check out the Neighborhood Map of Fairfield CT
Fairfield CT Neighborhood Map

Watch the playlist of all related information to Fairfield CT
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Looking to buy a home? Start here with a Buyer’s Information Guide
Buyer’s Guide

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