One of America’s oldest cities in one of its most charming regions, Stamford is a lively urban hub in the heart of New England. Stamford’s proximity to New York makes it a popular commuter town — it’s no more than an hour away from midtown Manhattan by train, which makes it easy to get to work or to spend the day shopping and museum-hopping.
But as Connecticut’s second-largest city, Stamford provides its 136,226 residents with a broad array of cultural amenities of its own. Within the city, you’ll find a beautiful botanical garden, a performing arts center and excellent restaurants and bars. There are 19 miles of coastline to explore and architectural wonders to behold in nearby New Canaan, like Phillip Johnson’s Glass House.
Living in Stamford does come with a hefty price tag, though. Single-family homes can easily cost more than a million dollars — a stark contrast to the state’s other urban centers. Still, if you’re looking for a city that’s close to New York with a not-too-suburban feel, Stamford, Connecticut, should be on your list. Learn more about the pros and cons of moving to Stamford below, including the weather, the job market and our favorite destinations in town.
Why People Are Moving to Stamford
Proximity to New York City
It’s no secret that one of the main population drivers in this Connecticut city is its proximity to New York City. Anyone who needs to commute to Manhattan knows that there are a lot of places to choose from, from upstate New York to New Jersey and Connecticut. So, what sets Stamford apart?
Well, for one thing, the train. Stamford is around 40 miles from Manhattan, but this could easily take you an hour and a half by car. But the express train service from Stamford to the Big Apple cuts your travel time way down — possibly even by half. On average, it will take you less than an hour to reach NYC by the Metro-North train, part of the MTA. You won’t be alone riding this rail, either — more than 8 million individuals do the same every year. Amtrak also serves the Stamford area, and if you travel by car, I-95 can take you from Maine to Florida on a near-coastal route, while the Merritt Parkway follows a more interior course through Connecticut.
Stamford is roughly an hour from LaGuardia by car, an hour and a half from JFK and just 30 minutes from Westchester County Airport, which flies direct to select cities along the Eastern seaboard — including Nantucket — as well as Chicago and Bermuda.
Thriving Job Market
The greater Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk region has a sizable labor force. Nearly 413,000 individuals work in a diverse array of industries in the area. The unemployment rate fluctuated markedly during the middle of 2024, but by October, things had stabilized, and the rate held at just 2.6% — far below the national average.
Education and health services is the single largest employment sector, supporting 85,200 jobs in the region and growing by roughly 4% over the past year. Trade, transportation and utilities is another Stamford powerhouse, supplying 64,900 jobs to residents. But this region is known for its financial chops and professional and business services, which employs 64,300 individuals, and financial activities — which employs 36,500 — are a force to contend with. Information also has an outsize presence for a region of this size, and this 12,500-job sector fared better than many in the nation during what was an unusually turbulent year.
If you’re interested in working locally in Stamford — and it’s possible not to commute to NYC, here! — there are an array of interesting corporations with operations in the city. Charter Communications, United Rentals, Purdue Pharma, Crane Co., Synchrony Financial and the WWE are all headquartered in Stamford, and Henkel and Indeed.com also maintain bases in the city.
Suburban Comfort with Urban Amenities
As Connecticut’s second-largest city — and also its safest — Stamford’s 136,000 residents have access to the best of several worlds — proximity to New York City, the convenience and quiet of suburban life and a coastal, metropolitan scene.
Downtown Stamford went through some difficult days in the late 20th century, but the contemporary city bears little resemblance to its former self. Modern apartments and chic condominiums are now the standard in this business and entertainment district, and the Amtrak/Metro-North train station is less than a mile away from the city center, making the area ideal for those who want easy access to NYC or points east. If you’re pining for a waterfront view, Harbor Point is just south of the highway, and you’ll find glassy towers overlooking the Long Island Sound and East Branch channel. Wherever you reside downtown, fine dining establishments along with cultural and entertainment venues can be an easy walk from your door. The Stamford Town Center is a multi-level shopping center with indoor pickleball courts and a Soccer Fun Zone. In its 80-year-old brick building, the historic Avon Theatre Film Center showcases critically acclaimed movies, from longtime classics to breakout indie stars of today. You can catch the hottest live performances at The Palace, which will soon celebrate its centennial. Comedy shows, tribute bands, orchestral productions and even Blippi are all a part of the 2024-25 lineup at this treasured hall.
If you are looking for a more suburban or even rural feel, Stamford has plenty of space to spread out. Northeast of the city, Glenbrook and Strawberry Hill are popular, near-town neighborhoods. Stamford High School is centrally located within this area, and international dining spots, churches, synagogues and parks are all within a short walk from home. Glenbrook also has its own stop on the MTA. Housing in this area includes modest condominiums, many of which are more affordable than the sleeker units downtown, as well as single-family residences.
With rolling hills and woodland acres, North Stamford is one of the loveliest regions in the city to live. The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, the Mianus River State Park and Scenic Reserve, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, and the Rockrimmon Country Club are all located in this pastoral district. Houses in North Stamford are some of the most lavish and expensive in the region. You will find some smaller, turn-of-the-last-century homes here, but opulent, multi-million-dollar estates are increasingly becoming the norm.
Excellent Education Options
Between private academies and the Stamford Public School District, this Connecticut city offers a robust array of educational options for families. More than 16,000 students from highly diverse backgrounds are enrolled in city schools, and students from this district rank in the 94th percentile for the SAT. If you’re considering private options, the King School, the Long Ridge School and St. Luke’s are all popular choices.
UCONN Stamford focuses on professional programs and also offers select four-year degrees. But within an hour of the city, you’ll find some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, from Columbia and NYU to Pratt, Julliard and Sarah Lawrence.
Coastal Living and Outdoor Recreation
Stamford’s status as a commuter town often overshadows its other major selling point — its idyllic landscape. Hiking, biking, fishing and sailing are all popular pastimes in this East Coast city. Here are a few of our favorite ways to get outside in Stamford.
If you live in Stamford, you don’t need to endure the bumper-to-bumper traffic out to the Hamptons to get a taste of the beach. Many seaside parks are just a short distance from downtown, so grab your kayaks and paddle boards and hit that surf! Cove Island Park doubles as a wildlife sanctuary, so you might spy a rose-breasted grosbeak while you’re rollerblading through this coastal wilderness area. West Beach and Cummings Park are joined by a marina, and in addition to their sandy beaches, you’ll find food trucks in the summer months along with soccer fields, basketball courts and tennis courts.
Stamford Harbor and Harbor Point are fun places to hang out even if you aren’t getting in the water. The scenic boardwalks are made for sunset strolls and the dockside dining establishments make it easy to take a mini-vacation right in your hometown. Sign of the Whale is a decadent gastropub that offers the best of surf and turf, from seafood risotto to beer-braised short ribs prepared with a Stamford-brewed ale.
Inland areas in this New England town offer an equally delightful respite. Located on the Greenway North Trail, Mill River Park is easy to access from Stamford neighborhoods. The carousel at Mill River is a big hit in the warmer months, while the ice-skating rink brings everyone out in the wintertime. With a great playground and a superb educational center, you’ll have lots of reasons to spend time in this family-friendly city park.
In the far northern regions of the city, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center provides an inspiring educational experience indoors and out. Tour the castle-like Bendel mansion with its elaborate interiors and Italian marble sculptures. Or visit the planetarium and observatories, which will soon be brought together in the new astronomy center. One fan-favorite here is the Heckscher Farm, where you can meet cows, goats and other heritage breeds of farm animals after strolling through the organic vegetable garden and visiting the Sugar House & Cidery, where they produce 60 gallons of maple syrup each year from their own trees. But nothing competes with the Otter Pond. Sign up to participate in one of the daily feedings for the resident river otters, Sadie and Ron.
But there’s no better place to escape into nature than the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens. Pollarded trees, “witches’ broom” evergreens, wildflower gardens and fern allées are just a few of the distinct environments that are meticulously maintained for all to enjoy. If you’re looking for a more rustic hike, head to the Mianus River State Park Scenic Preserve, where trickling streams, striking fall foliage and woodland blossoms make for peaceful, restorative journeys into the woods.
Challenges of Living in Stamford
High Cost of Living
While certain NYC outposts offer considerable cost savings compared to the Big Apple, Stamford isn’t one of them. The median home value in Connecticut city averaged $614,300 between 2019-23 — nearly twice the state average — with rent topping $2,200/month. During the same period, New York City residents coughed up an average of $751,700 for a home but spent considerably less on rent, not even breaking the $1,800 mark. Homes in New Haven and Hartford, meanwhile, fall well below the state and national median. What you’re paying for in Stamford is space. Stamford’s $600K price tag will likely get you a decent-sized lawn and suburban vibes, something NYC cannot match.
<h3>Harsh Winters</h3>
With bracing winds and lows frequently in the teens or colder, Stamford is not at the top of anyone’s list for places to spend the winter. The city receives an average of 35 inches of snow a year — enough to create sloppy road conditions and school cancellations but generally causes no real havoc. Stamford’s winter rains are almost certainly more unpleasant than its snows, and the city is a fairly wet place — an average of 52 inches falls every year. From December through March, you can expect lows in Stamford to stay below the freezing mark and highs to hover only in the 40s F.
Tips for a Seamless Move to Stamford, Connecticut
Are you ready to call Stamford home? Make your relocation process seamless with United Van Lines. We can help you take this important step — large moves, small moves and everything in between.
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If you’re moving cross-country to Stamford, United’s nationwide network of professional, long-distance movers can take care of everything. We are licensed for interstate moves, and we’ve helped millions of families like yours move to exciting cities across the country. Select a full-service moving package or one with customized moving options to suit your needs. We can provide you with packing and unpacking services, short- or long-term storage, car-shipping services and even debris removal.
If your family is making a local move to Stamford, either from another residence within the city or another city in Connecticut, United Van Lines’ interstate Stamford agents/movers can provide local moving services in the greater Stamford-Bridgeport area or in Connecticut independently under their own businesses and brands.
If you’re only moving a few things and want to handle your own move, United Van Lines pro tips on packing, including our moving checklist and a step-by-step guide to moving long-distance, can help you avoid common — and expensive — mistakes.
No matter how you move, United can make your experience more efficient and less stressful. Be sure you understand the types of moving quotes and estimates you receive before you commit. Our moving blog and digital moving guide, House Key magazine.
Want the inside scoop on the Constitution State? Learn all you need to know in our Moving Guide to Connecticut. Our city guides and state guides can also help you discover what areas of the country might suit you and your family best.
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