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This... is Greenwich Connecticut. We are going to explore living in Greenwich CT and the differences between the neighborhoods, so you can decide which area is a fit for you

Hi, my name is Charlie Vinci. I am a Greenwich CT Realtor, and my realty team and I specialize in helping buyers understand what living in Greenwich CT entails and how to relocate to the area.

Let me show you why you might want to move here, AND a few reasons why you might not.

Table of Contents:

Greenwich CT Overview:

Greenwich is bordered to the west and north by the state of New York, to the east by the town of Stamford Connecticut, and to the south by Long Island Sound.

When there is no traffic, you can make it to Manhattan's central park in about 40 minutes by car. The fastest train will get you to Grand Central Terminal in about 45 minutes. 

Greenwich  is roughly twice the size of Manhattan, but with only about 3% of the population. It has good ethnic diversity, high household income and a highly educated population (*According to the Connecticut Data Collaborative). If you can afford the housing prices, it offers a surprising number of top notch amenities.

Along the way, I am going to use our Greenwich neighborhood map. To follow along, grab yourself a copy here.

Old Greenwich:

Surrounded by water, the peninsula of Old Greenwich creates what many believe to be the ideal community. It has the best walkable village area in the town, which features its own train station, and everything you need on a daily basis, including restaurants, shopping, a grocery store, banks, a gas station, post office, coffee shop and more, all in one compact area. Many New Yorkers consider it the best walkable neighborhood along Connecticut's Gold Coast. 

To the north of the village, you also have Rosa Hartman Park and Ladden Rock Sanctuary. Both are great locations for a quick nature hike. To the east of the village area, you have Innis Arden Golf Club. It’s an 18 hole course with a rating of 70.3 and a slope of 128. Just south of the village area, you will find Old Greenwich elementary.

Old Greenwich offers condos, single family homes and waterfront estates. The finest Old Greenwich CT Real Estate will sell for north of about $6MM, With a luxurious or premium property typically selling between $3.1MM and $4.4MM, and a more affordable home will sell between $590k and $2.2MM.  The homes are closer together in Old Greenwich, so if you are looking for a larger lot, I have several other options for you. 

Another reason so many people love this location is the stunningly beautiful Greenwich point, which is called Tod’s point by the locals. This island-like 147 acre park and beach is arguably the best along the entire Connecticut Gold Coast. You will find a picturesque setting with trails, beach pavilions, nature and views of New York City. It's an excellent location for walking, swimming, riding your bike, running, fishing, and picnicking. The summer traffic can get busy along Sound Beach Ave and Shore Rd, so choose a home off the beaten path if this is a concern.

As amazing as Tod’s point is, it's not your only beach option in town. If you want to live in a beach community, we have created a map and search feature on our site that not only shows you where all of Greenwich’s hidden beaches are, but also allows you to search for homes that are walkable to these small and private beaches.

Between the neighborhoods of Old Greenwich and Riverside, you will find the beautifully tranquil Binney park. In the warm weather you will find ducks, and turtles. It’s a great place for a picnic, or a stroll along the water with the kids. This is a destination for many of the people living nearby, and it’s a great place to meet your neighbors. 

I should also point out that both Riverside and Old Greenwich are excellent locations to walk, run or ride your bike. If you come in the warmer months, I have no doubt that you will come across residents out and about on the streets.

Just across the street from Binney Park, you are going to find one of Greenwich’s four libraries. This one is Perrott Library. It has an interesting history, which you can learn about in the documentary created about it: Perrot: The Story of a Small Town and it’s Dream for a library.

Riverside:

Much of Riverside has easy access to the village in Old Greenwich, and Tod’s point. The neighborhoods of Old Greenwich and Riverside are similar in many ways, including a dedicated train station for each. One of the most noticeable differences being that the neighborhood of Riverside often has more estate-like properties. 

By the way, Old Greenwich and Riverside are so popular, we created a detailed video tour on each of them, and you should check them out if you are seriously considering either of these neighborhoods: (Old Greenwich Tour, Riverside Tour)

Riverside CT real estate offers condos, single family homes and waterfront estates. The finest properties in Riverside will sell for north of about $5MM, With a luxurious or premium property typically selling between $2.6MM and $3.9MM, and a more affordable home will sell between $288k and $1.7MM.  

In the southern part of the neighborhood you will find Riverside Elementary, and Eastern middle school. In the northern part of the neighborhood, you will find North Mianus elementary school and the International school of Dundee which is a magnet elementary school that you can get access to by living in the neighborhood, rather than winning a lottery. 

Cos Cob:

If you love the location of Old Greenwich and Riverside, but are having a hard time finding a home, Cos Cob may be a great option. It’s a more affordable community, also with its own train station, and it's close to many amenities. One of which is the beautiful Cos Cob Park. This waterfront gem is home to sports fields, a playground, trails along the water's edge, and stunning view of the Cos Cob Harbor. 

You will also have Montgomery Pinetum & Greenwich Botanical center with it’s lakes, ponds, wildlife, and trails, both are an excellent place for a short hike.

A few more minutes to the North is Mianus River Park. It has nearly 400 acres which are suitable for biking, hiking, fishing, dog walkers and runners. If you love nature, I have no doubt that this will be one of your favorite locations. Parking can be limited during busy periods, like the weekends, and the mosquitoes can be bad in the summer. So, go during the slower periods, when possible, and bring bug repellent. 

If that weren't enough, you also have Bible street playground which is excellent for kids, with it’s bocci, baseball, and basketball courts. 

But that’s not all! You also have another one of Greenwich’s best parks… Bruce Park. I’ll tell you more about this park in a minute. 

In the southern part of the neighborhood, you will find Cos Cob elementary, and just across the street is the Cos Cob Library, which is excellent.

Cos Cob offers condos, single family homes and some waterfront real estate. The Cos Cob CT real estate will sell for north of about $3.5MM, With a luxurious or premium property typically selling between $2.1MM and $3.2MM, and a more affordable home will sell between $510k and $1.5MM.

Some homes in Cos Cob will suffer from deferred maintenance or lack of curb appeal, so we always recommend using Google street view to be sure that you are happy with the area.

Downtown Greenwich:

This is where you are going to find the popular Greenwich Ave shopping area that has more than 100 high end retail stores and restaurants. When you get hungry in the area, I would suggest eating here. If you are looking for a walkable area, with an abundance of shopping and restaurants, this could be a great location for you. To know more about the shopping and all that Greenwich Ave has to offer, head over to our youtube channel and check out the Greenwich Ave Shopping video that we created. 

North of Greenwich Ave, you have the acclaimed Greenwich Library, it’s the largest in town. And towards the bottom of Greenwich Ave, you have Greenwich Common. This is an excellent park to let the kids enjoy the playground, or to experience the live music in Summer.

Around Greenwich Avenue, you have plenty of top notch town amenities, the most popular of which is Bruce Park. It includes a Museum with a full calendar of ever changing events, a large playground, ponds, walking trails, a tennis court and more. It's an excellent place for strolling, dog walking, riding your bike, running or a picnic.

There is also Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, which is south of Greenwich Ave on the water. In the warmer months, events are held here, everything from wine & food, music, car shows, and more. 

Also, If you are looking for a place to stay while you explore Greenwich, I would recommend the Delamar, which is nearby on Steamboat Rd.

On another note, Your dog will love the Grass Island Dog park, which is waterfront. It's to the west of Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, but keep in mind that the sewer treatment plant is next to the dog park. So I would  recommend going somewhere else in the warmer months.  

On the east side of the neighborhood, you will find Julian Curtiss Elementary, and on the west side you will find Hamilton Elementary, and Western Middle School.

Downtown Greenwich offers townhomes, condos, multi-family and single family homes, plus, you will find some beautiful waterfront property on the peninsula’s that are south of Bruce Park. The finest properties in the downtown area will sell for north of about $3.5MM, With a luxurious or premium property typically selling between $2MM and $3.4MM, and a more affordable home will sell between $280k and $1.3MM.  

Be aware that SOME homes in downtown Greenwich will suffer from deferred maintenance, or lack curb appeal, so again, remember to use google street view.

If you are going to be commuting to Manhattan by train, I am going to bet that you are considering a home near one of the train stations, or you are concerned about parking limitations. For you, we have a video with parking information, a walkable area map, and a one click home search. 

Belle Haven:

To the southwest of the Greenwich Ave shopping area, you will find one of Greenwich's most architecturally beautiful neighborhoods, Belle Haven. When you come here, you will find guard stations throughout the neighborhood and some parts have gated access. You can walk to Greenwich Ave, Bruce park, and the main Greenwich train station from some parts of this neighborhood. If you choose to move here, consider joining the beautiful Belle Haven Club. It’s an excellent place to make friends.

You will find a wonderfully eclectic mix of single family homes here. The finest properties in Belle Haven will sell for north of about $15MM, With a luxurious or premium property typically selling between $6.3MM and $10MM, and a more affordable home will sell between $2.4MM and $5.8MM.  If you want a beautiful estate, but it’s more land you are after, I have a few great locations coming up, but first, let’s finish up the waterfront area.

Oh, before I forget…,If you are considering other towns with low taxes, high school ratings, low crime ratings, good connection to New York city, and high end amenities, you may want to check out our neighborhood tours for Westport, Darien and New Canaan. 

Byram Shore:

Whether you choose to live here or not, I have no doubt that you will love Byram Park. This unassuming park gets better when you get out of your car and explore. Walk to the higher elevations and you will find an amazing view of the water and offshore islands. This is a great place for a picnic. You will also find an oceanfront pool open to Greenwich residents, a beach, ball fields, tennis courts and a playground. It’s not to be missed.

If it’s not ideal park weather, or you're just feeling like a bit of a bookworm, you can head over to the Byram Shubert Library. I think you will find it to be excellent.

You will love Byram Shore if you want to live in, or near large waterfront estates, and stunningly beautiful water views. The finest properties in Byram Shore will sell for north of about $3MM, With a luxurious or premium property typically selling between $1.3MM and $2.5MM, and a more affordable home will sell between $520k and $1.2MM.  

Byram and Pemberwick: 

If you are looking for an entry price point neighborhood in Greenwich, these two may be a great option. You will find condos, multi family and single family homes. The most Premium property typically sells between $865k and $1.1MM, with more affordable homes selling between $260k and $680k. Be aware that some homes will suffer from deferred maintenance and, or a lack of curb appeal.

In Byram you will also find New Lebanon Public elementary.

Speaking of public schools, some of my clients have been looking to avoid some of the schools, that’s why we created the public school district maps. Plus you can look up public school ratings, and search for homes by school district. It’s only available in our buyers guide. You can get it by going to the link on the screen.

Glenville:

If you are looking, not necessarily for the lowest price, but for a good value in Greenwich, Glenville may be a good option for you. It offers a charming village area which includes a grocery store, pharmacy, a park, restaurants, wine merchants, gas, banks and Glenville elementary school.

You will find both condos and single family homes in Glenville. The most luxurious properties here will sell for north of about $2MM, With premium property typically selling between $955k and $1.5MM, and a more affordable home will sell between $450k and $800k.  Some clients feel that it’s a bit far from the train, but all things considered, it seems like a fair trade off if you are looking for a neighborhood that offers good all around value.

Mid-Country: 

This is a vast neighborhood and it offers a wide variety of options, however, one feature most clients notice is that the lots tend to be larger than the communities closer to the water, and they tend to offer more privacy. If you are looking for a home with a park-like feel, that isn’t too far from town amenities, this neighborhood may be an ideal fit for you. 

Mid-Country is mostly made up of Single Family homes, but you will find some condos. If you see yourself living close to downtown, you may want to explore the southern part of the neighborhood. The finest properties in Mid-Country will sell for north of about $8MM, With a luxurious or premium property typically selling between $4.5MM and $6.3MM, and a more affordable home will sell between $270k and $2.8MM. 

In the southern part of the neighborhood, you will find Greenwich High School. A bit to the north you will find Central Middle School and North Street Elementary School.

Back-Country:

One thing that Greenwich is known for is its large number of estates worthy of an architectural digest cover. While you will find them along the waterfront and scattered throughout mid-country, you will find some of the most stunningly beautiful estates in this neighborhood, Back-Country. The land here is breathtaking. Driving around the streets may leave you in awe of the sprawling lawns, the rolling hills, and the country setting. Most of the estates are set far from the road and hardly visible, so this aerial view will give you the best perspective.

It’s no surprise that many of the best golf courses are here too. Including Tamarack, Fairview, and Stanwich. I counted 10 total, in Greenwich alone.

You also have many other ways to enjoy nature including Fairchild wildflower sanctuary. It’s a quiet oasis that's perfect for a nature walk. You feel like you can unplug here and let the stress drain away. In addition, a few hundred feet north from the Wildflower Sanctuary, on Riversville Rd, You will also find the Greenwich Audubon Center. In addition to the birds, it offers trails and a lake. It’s another peaceful and educational way to relax.

If you like to hike, you can also head over to Babcock preserve with its 300 acres of hiking trails. By the way, the trails here are notorious for not being well marked, so when you head over, be sure to take a picture of the trail map. 

Another asset many backcountry residents enjoy is Westchester County airport. You may not have to drive into the city to fly, because this airport makes air travel a breeze. It’s located just minutes over the New York line.

In the center of the neighborhood, you will find Parkway elementary which is Public. If you are looking for a Private School, you have ten options right in town, including Greenwich Country Day, Brunswick School, The Stanwich School, Greenwich Academy and several other specialty options. 

Many consider Back Country to be the pinnacle of Connecticut real estate. You will find single family homes and large estates. The finest properties in Back Country will sell for north of about $9.5MM, with a luxurious or premium property typically selling between $4.6MM and $7.9MM, and a more affordable home will sell between $860k and $3.2MM. If you like this area, but feel like this neighborhood is too far from downtown for you, try exploring Mid Country.

Wrap-Up

If you are still exploring, check out my website where you will find my raved about local buyers guide, neighborhood maps, and all of the homes listed for sale in Greenwich.

I hope you enjoyed this tour as much as I enjoyed making it for you. When you are ready to start shopping, call me, I’ll help you find a great home.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Best,

Charlie Vinci

203.952.7752

charlievinci@gmail.com

About the Author:

Charlie Vinci, the Founder and Lead Agent of the Charlie Vinci Team has become a mainstay in Connecticut’s real estate market, earning accolades as one of the top 3% of realtors within the state. Fueled by a dedication to the success of his clients and an ever-growing assortment of area-specific resources, the business continues to thrive in the constantly evolving real estate marketplace. An informative YouTube presence has been the primary driver/focus for the team, as it has allowed Charlie to engage directly with his audience and provide a consultative approach to an often ambiguous process. Whether an international client seeking relocation to the US or a local homeowner considering the sale of their property, The Charlie Vinci Team has the market knowledge, resources, and expedient level of service that clients not only desire, but deserve.

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