Living a College Town Lifestyle in New Haven, Connecticut

The prestigious and internationally renowned Yale University is located here in New Haven.  New Haven is a planned city laid out in a grid around a 16 acre "Green" - the heart of the downtown. Long troubled by urban blight and torn apart by I 95, the city is in resurgence thanks to a strong local economy and the efforts of Yale.   Many downtown buildings have been converted from commercial use to rental apartments and condominiums. The result is that many individuals, from young professionals to retirees, are seeking out New Haven for an urban lifestyle. There are plenty of interesting restaurants and shops. Cultural offerings are top notch (many New York plays try out here).  Many different neighborhoods like Wooster Square offer proximity to the downtown without driving.

In addition to Yale, thanks to which cultural offerings abound, New Haven boasts Albertus Magnus College, Gateway Community College, and Southern Connecticut State College.

Where to Retire in New Haven and Home Prices

There are active adult communities in New Haven (see link at top left).The neighborhood has a lot to do with what you will pay. Condos in the nicest buildings are relative bargains compared to New York and other cities. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median selling price in the New Haven-Milford CT area was $329,600, in the 4th quarter of 2022.

What Is Special about New Haven

New Haven is a real city that can be exciting to live in. Downtown there is a magnificent green surrounded by the Library, elegant churches, Yale's gothic campus, and office buildings. Radiating from there are streets like Chapel with good shopping and exciting restaurants. The city has come back and retirees are discovering it. Yale is a positive power for the community. New Haven is also considered to be both a walkable and bike-friendly town.

If you want a good insight into the new, New Haven, see this NYTimes article: "New Haven: Going from Crime to Coffee Shops"

What Is Not Special about New Haven

Crime is high in many parts of New Haven. People not used to an urban lifestyle might feel uncomfortable here. There are pockets of blight, and taxes are high.

Climate and Physical Environment

New Haven is in the middle of the state on its southern coast (CT actually runs east and west as it goes away from NY).  New Haven Harbor is an important terminal for shipping.  Long Island Sound helps moderate temperatures year round.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

On a per capita basis New Haven arguably packs more culture per person than any other American city. There is the Yale Repertory Theatre, the Shubert Theatre, and Long Wharf Theatre. The Yale Center for British Art and the Peabody Museum of Natural History are just 2 of many museums. New Haven Symphony. Untold cultural events emanating from Yale. Some of the world's top architectural firms are in New Haven, so there is much significant architecture, both old and new. Sports fans can enjoy exciting Ivy League sports rivalries played out at the historic Yale Bowl.

Crime

Crime in New Haven is very high - almost two thirds higher than the national average.

Medical Facilities

Yale New Haven Hospital is one of the world's leading teaching hospitals and now has a vast downtown campus. Every type of medical specialty is in great supply in the New Haven area.

Transportation

New Haven is at the crossroads of both I 95 and I 91. Tweed Airport is currently under-utilized, but offers convenient service to Washington/Baltimore and points south. Union Station offers both AMTRAK and Metro-North railroad service to the rest of the country. New Haven has walkable neighborhoods and routes for biking.

Valuable Links

City of New Haven

Visit New Haven

Connecticut retirement guide
Wikipedia for New Haven

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