There are millions of people commuting into New York City to work every day and finding an affordable place to live when commuting can be difficult. There are lots of great New Jersey towns that you can live in, but some people prefer to escape the high prices and taxes that come with being a New Jersey resident and choose to settle down in Connecticut.
The best places to live in Connecticut when commuting to New York City are:
- Greenwich
- Darien
- Stamford
- New Canaan
- Norwalk
How Long is the Average Commute from Connecticut to NYC?
The average commute from Connecticut to NYC is between 45 minutes to an hour.
Top 5 Places To Live
Greenwich, Connecticut (45 Minute Commute)
Greenwich is a great place to live if you are looking to relocate to Connecticut and commute into New York City. With a commute of 45 minutes, it is a great choice for homebuyers. The median listing price for homes in Greenwich is around $2,000,000, but you can look in the Byram, Anderson Ridge, and Chickahominy neighborhoods to find homes that range from $500,000-$900,000.
If you are looking to rent there are a ton of affordable options that start at just over $2,000 per month. The neighborhoods are beautiful and you will get what you pay for if Greenwich is the place that you decide is right for you.
Greenwich is filled with tons of attractions and things to do. There are historical sites, such as Putnam Cottage, Greenwich Historical society, and the Bruce Museum, and high class shops that line Greenwich Ave. These stores include Apple, TUMI, Hermès, Saks Fifth Ave, Lululemon, and more.
If you are interested in enjoying the views and what mother nature has to offer you can visit Greenwich Point Park, a 147-acre park that is set on the top of a peninsula that juts into the Long Island Sound. You will get a great view of the Manhattan skyline while sitting on the golden beach that runs along the peninsula. You can go fishing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing as well as swimming in the calm waters.
Getting into New York City will take 45 minutes by car and around an hour by train.
Click to view the Zillow listings in Greenwich, Connecticut.
More: Best Places to Live in New Jersey to Commute to New York City!
Darien (55 Minute Commute)
Darien is one of the wealthiest municipalities in the United States with a median household income of $208,125. There are just above 21,000 residents and you will see beautiful historic homes, minimal office buildings, and an extremely luxurious set of social activities to partake in.
Darien residents volunteer at one or more of the charitable, cultural, or environmental outreach programs in the town or are a part of the Darien Boat Club, Noroton Yacht Club, or the Tokeneke Beach and Tennis Club. These organizations help to create a rich social scene for the residents of the town and offer networking opportunities with other residents of the community.
If you have a young family Darien should be one of the top options on your list. The town is focused on building a successful school system. These schools are mostly located on the Metro North line and the town has much more of a neighborly feel than some of the other towns in the area. Your children will be learning with many other students of parents that commute into the city and hold high-paying jobs.
Getting into New York City will take around 55 minutes via car and just over an hour by train, depending on what time you leave.
Click to view the Zillow listings in Darien, Connecticut.
Stamford, Connecticut (54 Minute Commute)
Stamford is one of the most affordable towns in Connecticut if you are going to be commuting to New York City for work. The average home value is just above $540,000, which is very affordable for most families that have at least one person working in NYC.
Living in the Stamford p is a must for any avid hiker that needs to travel into the city for work. You will have access to Cove Island Park, Stamford Museum & Nature Center, and Fort Stamford Park. There are also a handful of theaters and local breweries that you can visit after you hike or walk. Stamford is definitely more of a middle-class town that has a ton of entertaining attractions that are great for families and young couples who are looking to save money by not living in New York City.
With a 53 minute drive and a 59 minute train ride into the city, Stamford is one place that you should check out before making a final decision on where you want to live.
Click to view the Zillow listings in Stamford, Connecticut.
New Canaan (1 Hour & 5 Minutes)
New Canaan is known as the school town in Connecticut. It is most known for its great education system and this has caused home prices to increase over time. It is one of the top 10 school systems in the entire country and offers a quiet, suburban neighborhood feel.
There are a lot of parks and leisure places to visit in New Canaan, including the Phillip Johnson Glass House, Waveny Park, Silvermine Arts Center, and the New Canaan Nature Center. They also have escape rooms, boat tours and The Maritime Aquarium within driving distance.
The average home value in New Canaan is above $1,300,000, but you can find apartments and townhomes that range from $350,000-$800,000. You can expect to pay at least $2,000 a month when it comes to rent, but you are going to be in a great neighborhood that will offer the one of the best educations for your children.
You should expect to drive 1 hour and 5 minutes or take a 1 hour and 20 minute train to get into the city. This is a bit longer than the other places on this list, but the education system is unmatched.
Click to view the Zillow listings in New Canaan, Connecticut.
Norwalk, Connecticut (1 Hour Commute)
Norwalk is the final place on our list that you should look at before making a decision on where you will move to in Connecticut. It is the most affordable out of the five locations that we have covered, coming in at just under $350,000 for the average home.
Norwalk has just under 90,000 residents and is filled with young professionals that are just starting their careers and enjoy the nightlife and opportunity that New York City offers. There are plenty of craft bars and cocktail lounges, restaurants, and nightlife events to keep you busy, while also offering a neighborhood feeling.
Norwalk also is the home of the Maritime Aquarium, Sheffield Island Lighthouse, and the Sono Collection, which is a large shopping mall with tons of popular stores. You may be within walking distance to Calf Pasture Beach and will be able to relax during the summer while fishing off the pier.
It will take you 1 hour to get into the city by car and 1 hour and 17 minutes by train. These times are similar to the commute that you could expect if you were living in Pennsylvania and commuting into New York City.
Click to view the Zillow listings in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Ready To Move To Connecticut?
There is a wide variety of neighborhoods that you can move into in Connecticut and you will need to do your research to find a home that fits within your budget and offers the amenities that you are looking for. Commuting from Connecticut is definitely an option for many people as they return to work and want to be living in an upscale location that offers new experiences and allows them to disconnect from the hustle and bustle that New York City offers.