10 Pros and Cons of Living in New Canaan, CT

If you’d like to live in a safe and peaceful community that gives you access to numerous reputable schools while also allowing you to engage in lots of outdoor activities, then you’ll like it in New Canaan.

Located in Fairfield County, New Canaan is a Connecticut town only about an hour from New York City. About 20,700 people live in this lovely town, which is a wonderful place to raise a family. 

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of living in New Canaan, CT!

Pros

1. A lower-than-average crime rate

New Canaan has a low crime rate and is safer than 60% of the country, making it a safe place to live. The violent crime rate here is 6.6, which is low compared to the national average of 22.7. The property crime rate, on the other hand, is 14.6, which is also less than the national average of 35.4%.

The low risk of being a victim of either property or violent crime in this city notwithstanding, you must take the necessary precautions to stay safe while living here.

2  There are 7 schools in New Canaan.

One preschool, four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school are all located in this town. These institutions have a stellar reputation for excellence. Hence, you do not need to worry about finding good schools for your kids if you decide to move here because there are excellent possibilities for 

Additionally, there are higher education institutions in nearby cities; they include the prestigious Yale University and the University of Connecticut. In terms of education, in New Canaan, you won’t be left behind.

3. New Canaan is accessible by train

New Canaan has good transportation options and a system that makes accessing the town easy. There is a good rail network in Connecticut and, by extension, in New Canaan. Therefore, traveling in and out of the town by train is made possible, and with the town being conveniently positioned close to big cities like New York and Boston, you can travel by train to those cities in a short time and at cheaper rates.

4. Visit Waveny Park or Mead Memorial

New Canaan is a fantastic location for outdoor activities. The town is home to lots of green spaces and parks; worthy of note are Waveny Park and the Mead Memorial. Further attractions are the New Canaan Nature Center, Mill Pond, and Kiwanis Park.

Outdoor activities that you can participate in include hunting, camping, motorsports, shooting sports, hiking, swimming, and kayaking. Rest assured that you’ll enjoy living here because New Canaan has something for everyone.

5. Enjoy seafood at Blackstone Steakhouse or Washington Prime

Seafood is a big deal in this town and in the state as a whole. Here, you have lots of dining opportunities and get to taste a variety of seafood. If you like to try out new cuisines, then you’ll find this town interesting.

Blackstone Steakhouse is a notable restaurant in the town that offers lots of delicious seafood options like lobster rolls, fried clam strips, shrimp, and oysters. You can try any of these out. There’s also the Washington Prime, another popular seafood destination in the town known for serving fresh and mouth-watering cuisine. If you don’t eat seafood, you might fall in love with it in New Canaan.

6. You get to enjoy all four seasons

One of the advantages of living in New Canaan is that you get to enjoy all four seasons. If you’re relocating here from a region with year-round sunshine, you will be delighted to know that it snows here.

Summers are very humid. Spring is lovely, but some residents consider the season to be too short. Autumn is the most gorgeous season. Road vacations are a delight this season because of the stunning fall foliage. Winter is considered the most difficult season due to the gloomy skies and snowfalls. However, residents are accustomed to this, so whether there is snowfall or ice, activities hardly ever stop. You’ll also get used to it.

7. The poverty rate is lower than the national average

It will interest you to know that New Canaan has a low poverty rate, as is the case with the state of Connecticut. 

About 10% of the state lives below the poverty line, slightly below the national average of 11.6%. This means that there’s improved access to good food, quality education, and job opportunities.

Cons

1. The city has a high unemployment rate

Although the poverty rate in New Canaan is low, job growth in this town has been negative. Compared to the national average of 3.4%, the city’s unemployment rate of 7.7% is significantly higher. Employment has decreased by 0.3% over time. Jobs are not easy to come by in New Canaan, so residents who can’t find employment opportunities here can secure one in neighboring cities like New York and Boston.

If you’re moving to New Canaan with the hope of getting a high-paying job, you might want to reconsider or be prepared to commute every day to your place of work in a nearby city where you can be sure to get one. 

2. The city’s residents are quite reserved

One of the drawbacks of living here is the quiet demeanor of the residents. This is not to say that the people here are harsh or unwelcoming, but if you love to make new friends, you might not enjoy it here because it appears that people don’t seem to be keen on making new friends and they generally prefer to stick to themselves.

The reserved nature of residents isn’t common in New Canaan alone but is a typical lifestyle for most residents of Connecticut as a whole. People are polite and kind but don’t expect to make friends quickly or get invited out frequently.

3. The cost of living in New Canaan is 53% higher than the national average

New Canaan’s cost of living is 53% higher than the national average. With utilities being 13.5% higher than the national average, healthcare being 4% higher, and transportation expenses being 12.1% higher, this town can be expensive to live in when compared with other cities of its size.

Groceries are also 5.7% higher than the national average; a loaf of bread costs $4.27, a carton of eggs costs $2.32, and a gallon of milk costs $3. The median home price in this region is $1,653,644. The cost of living here is quite expensive and might be an issue if you’re moving from a cheaper city.

In Conclusion

New Canaan is a wonderful place to live because of its low crime and poverty rates, excellent schools, and variety of delicious restaurants. But before you make the move to this town, you should be prepared for the high cost of living, reserved locals, and low employment opportunities in New Canaan, CT.