Stamford, Connecticut

Stamford offers the best of both urban and suburban worlds, with residential neighborhoods and a thriving downtown. It’s about an hour away from New York City via train, making it a great location for commuters who don’t want to raise a family in NYC. It’s also conveniently located for weekend trips to upstate New York. 

Downtown Stamford is home to more than 80 restaurants and clubs, as well as stores, art galleries, and theaters. The historic Palace Theatre has showcased off-Broadway musicals, the Stamford Symphony, and the Connecticut Ballet. There’s always an event to take part in, whether it’s free fitness sessions or outdoor painting classes. 

Stamford has over 40 parks and recreational areas, with 19 miles of shoreline along the Long Island Sound. Cummings Park offers views of the water with walking trails, a beach, and a boardwalk, while Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens provides a tranquil escape among nature trails. In North Stamford, you’ll find the historic Stamford Museum & Nature Center that blends art and history with nature; it even has a planetarium.

Health care and higher education are also easily accessible. There are 28 hospitals within 50 miles recommended by more than half of patients, and Stamford is home to a regional campus of the University of Connecticut.