East Haven

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the central village of the Quinnipiac tribe of Native Americans straddled the river that today bears their name. In fact, the word Quinnipiac means “people of the long water” in the Quiripy language. Today, a portion of that original village is named in honor of those original residents, Quinnipiac Meadows. While considered a New Haven neighborhood, Quinnipiac Meadows sits on the eastern side of the Quinnipiac River, adjacent to both North Haven and Fair Haven. That proximity to three urban centers is a major draw for residents here, as it offers the combination of convenient access to those city centers while still being far enough away to retain a sense of peace and quiet. “Quinnipiac Meadows is close to so many great restaurants, and it’s close to New Haven and everything the city has to offer,” says Realtor Gigi Taylor. “And the price points make it more affordable for a lot of buyers.” With Interstate 91 bisecting the neighborhood, residents here have easy highway access from virtually anywhere in Quinnipiac Meadows, enabling them to get to the shopping and dining of the three nearby cities. That said, many residents find they don’t need to leave the neighborhood for much. ALDI is conveniently located on Foxon Boulevard for grocery shopping, and both Walmart Supercenter and Lowe’s Home Improvement are situated just south of Route 80 for home necessities and other general shopping. For those times when the need for shopping trends more extravagant than utilitarian, The Shops at Yale are 3 miles west in downtown New Haven. Dining out in Quinnipiac Meadows offers a variety of options, including Pho Zaaap, which translates to “delicious pho” in Lao. But think that the menu is limited to noodle soup, even though their selection in that vein is tremendous. Pho Zaaap also serves up traditional Vietnamese, Thai and Lao favorites that extend far beyond pho. Of course, with New Haven so close, those living in Quinnipiac Meadows have the luxury of making a quick trip over the river to get a famous steamed cheeseburger at Ted’s Restaurant or a slice of New Haven “apizza” at the place that put New Haven pizza on the map, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. The median home price in Quinnipiac Meadows is $335,000 and buyers should expect to pay an average of $206 per square foot. It is worth noting that both of those amounts are below the corresponding amounts for both East Haven and the state of Connecticut as a whole. However, potential buyers do need to be aware that limited supply is currently causing an increase in home prices. “The market is really busy,” says Lauren Freedman, a broker with Coldwell Banker Realty who has more than 15 years of experience in the area. “There's not a ton of inventory, but the demand is still there because people need housing. So prices are continuing to rise.” Quinnipiac Meadows is also home to multiple nature preserves. At the Quinnipiac Meadows Eugene B. Fargeorge Nature Preserve, visitors can hike on two different loop trails that wind their way through coastal forest, tidal wetland and coastal grassland areas. There is also a birdwatching blind to check out the variety of bird life in the area. Another prime birdwatching spot is the Bishop Woods Bird Sanctuary, a 20-acre parcel of forested land favored by local starlings and migratory birds stopping off during their travels. For families looking for a place for little ones to burn off some energy, Palmieri Parcel is a pocket park in the neighborhood with a playground, walking path and open space. The East Haven School District earns an overall rating of C-plus from Niche. Deer Run School earns a B-minus, Dominick H. Ferrara School earns a C-plus, Ross/Woodward earns a C-minus and East Haven High School earns a C-plus. Students at East Haven High School can participate in 25 different school-sponsored clubs, and they have the opportunity to play more than 20 varsity-level sports. There are also several highly rated private schools in the area, including Choate Rosemary Hall, rated an A-plus by Niche which ranks it as the best private school in the state of Connecticut.