SperlingViews - Stamford, Connecticut

Update later[read more...]

I am trying to move to Stamford, Ct but I heard different comments about it. I would like to know from those who actually live there, what is their experience like?[read more...]

It sucks.[read more...]

Stamford is a medium size city with most of the amenities of a large city and is within an hour's travel to New York City. Major corporations have their headquarters here and train service is quite good. Roads can be a problem particularly the reluctance to build new highway "Super 7" or expanding I95. There are over 100 restaurants in the area of all ethnic specialties and, besides a good diverse housing stock new condos and rentals are springing up. "Downtown" has been evolving into a lively scene. There are two excellent public golf courses as well as private clubs in the area. Marine facilities are well developed and there are marinas as well as yacht clubs. The former manufacturing "south end" is being completely redeveloped.[read more...]

Good place to live, work, and raise a family. However, now largely a financial services orientation and an expensive place for young families in mid-level jobs.[read more...]

I currently reside in Chicago and I'm interested in possibly moving to Stamford in the Spring. I'm in my early 30's and I'm looking to move to a city that offers a contemporary progressive flare with a little classic charm. How are race relations in the city? I'm an African American woman who enjoys meeting, socializing and dating people from all backgrounds.[read more...]

public schools not so great...must go private. Everything else is just fine. Proximity/location to NYC is perfect.[read more...]

Spring and Fall can be great. In summer expect temperatures exceeding 90 F accompanied by mugginess for at least 3 Weeks.[read more...]

the fall is visually beautiful, the air crisp and fresh, the smell like roasted nuts.[read more...]

The up and coming section of Stamford has arrived![read more...]

I've been living in Stamford for the past 12 years and made only one mistake: not buying a house when they were $200K. You won't be able to find a decent place for under $600K today. This being said, it's a great place to live. The people: Many of us are not "new rich", only old poor who decided to stay, even after the price hike, because we had made a life here. There's a decent Spanish and Eastern European population. Some of teh black population moved North when prices started climbing. Two neighborhoods remain predominantly black. There are only 3 kinds of people in Stamford: 1)Rich people who don't think twice before buying a 2 million house on the water or in the country side. 2) Middle class people who spend every penny they have in expensive middle class houses. 3) Subsidized people who will eventually manage to save enough money to buy a nice house somewhere else. The activities: For all tastes. Culture, sports, nature. The city goes to great lengths to make acticities accessible to all. Not too many parks though. The few beaches are not nice sand beaches like Greenwich beaches. The weather: Beware of misleading statistics. We don't get 2" a year, but more around 20". Spring and Fall are gorgeous. Summer is pretty humid with lots of rain. Winters are long and cold. The schools: Stamford has numerous public schools. Preschools are very expensive . 10% of your salary will go into it, no matter whatother expenses you have and how many children you have. Elementary schools lack after-school programs. Teacher/children ratio is good. Schools are safe. Employment: I've never known anybody who could stay unemployed unless they wanted to. Offices/stores constructions are currently going on all over the place, which are bringing some more 2,000 jobs to the city. Salaries are higher than average, a bit lower than NYC. Traffic: Stamford is small enough and well designed enough that you can go from one side of the city to the other in about 20 minutes. Traffic around the train station has always been a mess and it will get much worse with all the new constructions downtown. Property taxes: High (but not as high as Bridgeport) and getting higher every year. Count around $6,000 for a one-family house. Utilities: the highest in CT. Someone must have though we're all "new rich". There's a 55% increase in water prices planned for December. Heating an apartment during the winter months will cost you around $400. A house...I'll le[read more...]

The downtown area is alive with art, cultural events, restaurants, and people. It is a wonderful place to enjoy the parks, fitness centers, museums, and a multi-cultural population. It is 45 minutes from NYC. Living near the downtown area also means that you have access to college campus, a library, trains, buses, taxis. There are two major highways - I 95, New England Thruway and the Merritt Parkway. The majority of the population is educated and professional, yet there is an electic and diverse population with restaurants to serve many, many ethnic palates. It is a great city to live in![read more...]

Stamford is a great place to live because of its proximitgy to NYC, but rather pricey.[read more...]

Interesting the culture change in this area compared to other areas in the area. Densely populated,but quaint and classy.[read more...]

I grew up next door to Stamford in the 60-70's and watched it get inundated with nouveau riche with attitude. It is one thing living around Old Money, but all these BMW (Big money wasters) moved and and turned it into an enclave of the Rich and Callous. Only very poor, nonwhites work in the local businesses (and they are shocked when someone actually speaks to them). Everyone is in a hurry and rude. The orginal Stepford Wives was filmed here and is now a reality. Such a shame, geographically, historically, and climatically a beautiful area. The people suck.[read more...]

The Stamford/Norwalk Metro area is really a great place. I love Stamford and its downtown area. Very clean, Safe, Reliable public transit, nice downtown. moderate winter temperatures more on par with NYC than the rest of NE. Stamford has a great beach and public parks and libraries. Stamford also has some great towns around it - Greenwich, Darien, Norwalk - Job market is pretty strong if you have experience in a field like finance or accounting, insurance. The Bad - Cost of Living is basically insane, I cant go out to eat around here without blowing 80 plus dollars, congestion is bad during peak rush hour going in either direction - especially toward NYC not as bad north during the mornings but coming home is a major drag...Also housing is insane I pay $800 for a small out of date studio near downtown and its a steal in this market - Great place to live and start a family awesome school system - I just graduated college though and the jobs that are here dont interest me, its too expensive for me to live and I would prefer a warmer climate and a younger scene...I could see myself coming back here when im in my 30's or 40's. Its a great place - Its just very expensive. After visiting other places I can attest to the fact that the people here are very snobby and status oriented but it never bothered me I just didnt know any better until I visited out of state. Bottom line - Awesome place if your older and settled down and can afford to live in one of the most expensive markets in America[read more...]

Stamford offers a range of housing options and costs. It offers relatively easy commuting to NY.[read more...]