7 Reasons to Move to Darien, CT
By Sean Creamer on February 02, 2024
Making the transition into homeownership is an exciting step in life, especially if you seek to live in the Tri-State Area.
You can seek out the high life in NYC, find bucolic properties in Westchester County, or make a move to the suburbs of New Jersey or Long Island. But some of the most attractive regions are found in Connecticut's Gold Coast in Fairfield County. And one of the towns that stands out from the crowd is Darien, CT.
Located right on the shores of the Long Island Sound, the area is a perfect haunt if you want waterfront life blended with access to nature and the city. To give a little more perspective on the town, the team at Prevu Real Estate prepared a quick guide on why local residents move to Darien, CT.
Small town nestled among big cities
Unlike the neighboring cities of Stamford to the west and Norwalk to the east, Darien is a small town at heart. Around 21,000 people call the winding residential streets and coastal lanes of Darien home.
It is the smallest of all the Gold Coast towns, yet you might not believe that if you saw the houses lining the streets. Many homes have large plots of land and well-apportioned homes with ample bedrooms and bathrooms. But Darien is not all manors and giant estates like those found in nearby Greenwich and New Canaan. Homebuyers in Darien can find modest homes near the Metro North Station, which is close to I-95.
The waterfront in Darien is unique, featuring beaches, coves, and rivers. There are also numerous parks and country clubs within town limits. But days out in the sun are only part of the fun in this corner of Connecticut.
Darien has several shopping districts, so shopping-minded buyers do not have to travel far for their retail therapy.
Plenty of shopping within easy reach
There are three main commercial corridors in Darien, and each provides a distinct, cozy feel.
Those living in the northern reaches of town can get their shopping done in nearby Stamford. The district is part of neighboring Springdale and runs north to south along the western side of town. Darien locals go to the area for the trampoline park, several eateries, and the ever-popular Lock City Brewery.
Folks living in the middle of Darien can use West Avenue to find several shopping outlets and grocery stores for clothes and food shopping. To the south, Route One, otherwise known as Post Road, has several delis and restaurants for locals living near the waterfront.
Yet the best small town shopping is at the convergence of Post Road and West Avenue. This junction is where the Darien Amtrak Station is and acts as the unofficial commercial Main Street of the town. From big-box strip malls to small mom-and-pop shops, this is the historic center of town, and many of the brick-faced buildings reflect the age of the area.
Darien's commercial regions have a great selection of homes, ranging from large modern homes to older homes perfect for first-time buyers.
A homestyle for all buyers
Unlike most Connecticut towns, there is a varied stock of houses, perfect for all homebuyers living in Darien, depending on their tastes.
Near the waterfront and farther to the north, palatial dwellings set back from the road create large parcels of land with sprawling homes. Many of the homes in Darien date back to the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. So expect to see many larger houses feature different variations of high-gabled Cape Cod homes.
But down by the waterfront, restored homes dating back to the 1800s grace the shoreline. Darien has two waterfront neighborhoods, Noroton to the west and Tokeneke to the east. Tokeneke is a managed community, and the homes have associated HOA fees.
Despite the general inventory of resale homes, Darien does have the occasional option of new construction from local developers. Yet, for all the luxury properties, there is still a supply of starter homes closer to I-95 and the Darien Metro North Station, perfect for buyers who commute for work.
Easily accessible
A big part of moving to any city or town in the Tri-State area is figuring out commute times for work.
Many people move to places like Connecticut and New Jersey yet work in New York City. But just like Jersey City now hosts many firms, plenty of Connecticut cities like Stamford, Norwalk, and even Greenwich along the I-95 corridor have office parks.
Darien sits among these cities, making the small coastal town perfect for commuting-minded homebuyers. And if the Connecticut Turnpike gets a traffic jam, drivers can head north towards the Merritt Parkway to mastermind the rush hour traffic going to and from NYC.
While a large contingent of drivers makes their way throughout The Constitution State using the Turnpike or Parkway, many folks living in Darien use Metro North to reach the nearby cities. Plus, if you work in the Big Apple, the line takes commuters to and from Grand Central Station in just under an hour.
The station is perfectly situated at the junction of Post Road and West Avenue, which are within reach of residents throughout Darien. There is also a second train station in Noroton for folks on the western side of town.
Additionally, the New Canaan branch stops in Darien, providing a path into the northern areas of Connecticut. And while many people leave Darien for work, they tend to spend their weekends in town for fun.
Plenty of outdoor fun
Darien is perfect for folks who love to spend their free time in the sun. There are over 11 parks and fields for locals to explore, and each is more different than the last.
For instance, Woodland Park is covered in foliage that hides crisscrossing biking trails underneath the leaves. Cherry Lawn Park offers community gardening, picnicking spots, and sports fields on the other side of town. There are even horse-riding farms and stables for equestrian-minded folks to use in their free time.
Of course, golf is a huge pastime in Darien, and there are three private country clubs in town. The Country Club of Darien, Woodway Country Club, and the Wee Burn Country Club are in the northern side of town.
Darien residents love to come together for events. Each year, there are model boat sailing competitions at Tilley Pond in the summer, community arts festivals in the spring, and a pumpkin carving carnival in the fall.
Yet some of the most fun in Darien is at the waterfront, where you can explore beaches, rivers, and coves.
Pristine waterfront
Part of the allure of moving to Connecticut is being close to the salty air of the Long Island Sound.
Darien lives up to the title of the centerpiece of the CT Gold Coast, as the waterfront homes rival the North Shore Long Island Gold Coast mansions. Nestled in coves or taking up entire peninsulas, most homes have private beachfront and dock space.
The unique waterfront creates a playground for kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders, as there are several ponds, coves, and tidal rivers to explore. While most of the shoreline in Darien is private land, Weed Beach and Pear Tree Beach are open to the public.
Weed Beach is where locals gather each year for the family concert series and the yearly Weed Beach Fest. This festival brings music, food, and folks from the community together in June to celebrate Darien.
Luckily, not all boaters need a private beachfront and dock space to enjoy the water. The Noroton Yacht Club and Darien Boat Club provide locals without shorelines to participate in the fun.
There is a lot of history at the waterfront, as these waters have supported communities going back hundreds of years.
Historic background
Originally home to the Siwanoy People, an Algonquin-speaking subtribe, European settlers arrived in Darien back in the 1640s.
The waterfront in the Noroton area provided good land to set up a small town that connected settlers to nearby Stamford in the 1700s. Throughout the 1700s into the 1800s, Darien, known as Middlesex Parish at the time, grew around the original settlement.
The name Darien, pronounced "Dairy-ann," did not pop up in historical records until the early 1900s. Most homes from the era were Saltbox-style homes, and one still stands today on Post Road in Noroton. Beyond fishing, one of the major industries during the time period was logging, and several sawmills powered the economy.
As the town grew, residents began building a library in the 1890s. It outgrew four locations on Post Road and is now one of the most-used library systems in Connecticut. Beyond having a coveted LEED-Gold sustainability certification, it offers numerous programs, books, and events for locals to enjoy.
