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Living in New Canaan CT is amazing.. but it's not all roses here. Today we are going to talk about some of the good things, and some of the not so good things, for people who are considering moving here. Let's go.

Hi, my name is Charlie Vinci. I am a New Canaan CT Realtor, and my realty team and I specialize in helping buyers understand what living in New Canaan 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:

Introduction:

Today we are going to cover the pros and the cons of New Canaan CT. I will do my best to convey to you not my personal opinion but a culmination of what our clients have said to us and the feedback that we've received over the years. Some of the things that were good and the things they saw as potential drawbacks, so you can decide if New Canaan is a good fit for you. 

Welcome, if you're new to the site my name is Charlie Vinci, i'm a local realtor and if you haven't already been here, you may want check out the rest of our site. We have tons of resources on the area that will help you make a great buying decision. Let's get right into it. 

Small Town Feel:

One of the things that many of our clients like is the small town feel and charm of New Canaan. The town center has a tendency to bring everyone together. There is not much commercial development on the outskirts and most things can bee found right there in the middle. 

Whether it's your bank, coffee shop, shopping, restaurants, etc., everyone tends to come to the same locations and you will often bump into your neighbors and past friends creating a small town feel and a charm that is unique to New Canaan. 

More Home, Less Money:

You will typically get more for your money compared to other towns that are similar in price range such as: Darien, Westport and Greenwich. You may notice that when you look through the New Canaan listings online, you will get a bit more house, maybe a bit more yard and when you come in person you will clearly see that you do. 

Although you do get more for your money compared to Greenwich, Darien and Westport, New Canaan is still more expensive than some of the other surrounding towns that you may be comparing it to. If you're finding that New Canaan is pushing your budget a bit you may want to look to Wilton and Weston to see if you can find more home for your money as that is also typically the case. 

Low Property Taxes:

One of the huge advantages for many of our clients in New Canaan is the low property tax rate. While it's not the least expensive, it's pretty darn close relative to some of the other towns like Stamford and Norwalk. 

If you bought the same priced home in those towns the taxes would be much higher and if you didn’t know this already, you can only write off about $10,000 of your property tax, which can definitely be an advantage for many of our clients. 

School & Crime Ratings: 

According to Greatschools.org, you will find that New Canaan school ratings are very high. And as you look through some of the neighboring towns you will find that there's a little bit of a mixed bag. New Canaan’s school ratings definitely stand out and it's certainly an attractor for many of our clients. 

Another advantage for many of our clients are the low crime ratings according to Neighborhoodscout.com. If you're going to dig into the crime data and that is important to you, I would recommend that you use a site like Neighborhoodscout.com as it allows you to break down into the micro neighborhoods of a community. With this, you can decide if the crime ratings in that particular area are acceptable for you and your family. 

What I can tell you is that overall, New Canaan has fairly low ratings, not only compared to the rest of the state (also has low ratings), but compared to the country as a whole. 

Proximity to NYC:

When you look at the map of Connecticut and Lower Fairfield County in particular, New Canaan is relatively close to New York City. It is very close and it does have a good train connection right there in town. The challenge is that the train line that comes up into New Canaan is a sub line and has a transfer in Stamford. You will have to get off to transfer and that adds to the train commute. 

In total, you are looking at about seventy minutes to Grand Central Station whereas if you were in Greenwich, it would be only about forty-five minutes. If the train connection is important and you are commuting a lot, that may be a factor for you. Many of our clients aren't commuting as much as they used to, so that's not a big deal, but I figured it was worth pointing out so you can make the decision for yourself. 

Population Density:

In Fairfield County, the population density is greater along the coast. The homes are typically closer together and that's where much of the shopping and the amenities are located. As you go towards the Merrit Parkway, the lots get a bit bigger and the houses are further apart. When you then go north of the Merrit, where New Canaan is that area generally has a much more rural feel. 

Remember, New Canaan has a great town center, so it's not like you're without amenities that you would want on a daily basis.. But you should be aware that the town has a bit of a more rural feel as you get away from that town center, especially to the north of the town, towards the New York border.

If you could work with the price points in New Canaan and are okay with the train commute being a little bit longer, New Canaan is a great fit for a lot of people and I would encourage you to explore it to see if it's a fit for you.

Wrap-Up:

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

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

New Canaan CT Realtor

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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