Fairfield

Situated in Fairfield suburbs is Greenfield Hill, a residential neighborhood with a small historic village area. Several properties in this area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church and Timothy Dwight Park. Acres of natural land and secluded single-family homes create a countryside setting within the neighborhood, but residents are still convenient to nearby highways and urban environments. “People can use the back roads here to go really anywhere, but we also have easy access to Merritt Parkway and Interstate 95,” says Andrea Viscuso, a local Realtor and team leader of the Forte Team at Compass. Residents can shop at a handful of boutique stores and local food markets scattered throughout the neighborhood. Students here are served by Fairfield Public Schools, which receives an overall A rating from Niche. With the lowest possible CAP Index crime score of 1, Greenfield Hill is considered to be very safe. In the area surrounding Greenfield Hill’s historic village, residents can find roads lined with natural greenery and older single-family homes. “It’s mostly colonial homes on large parcels of land. There are a lot of trees, really nice landscaping, and the country roads make for beautiful drives,” Viscuso says. Single-family homes closer to the Samp Mortar Reservoir include a handful of split-level residences and newer builds with traditional-style architecture. Most properties also include paved driveways and a large number have garages. The median home price in this neighborhood is just over $1 million dollars, but depending on location and property size, homes can sell anywhere between approximately $700,000 and $3 million. According to Viscuso, young learners in Greenfield Hill attend one of two primary schools: Dwight Elementary and Burr Elementary School, which both receive A ratings. Older students might head to Fairfield Woods Middle School, also rated A, which feeds into the A-plus-rated Fairfield Warde High School. With a 98% graduation rate and excellent college prep resources, Fairfield Warde is ranked No. 13 on Niche’s 2024 “Best Public High Schools in Connecticut” list. Students can also attend a handful of nearby private schools, including Fairfield Country Day School (FCDS), which is located in the Greenfield Hill historic village area and is rated A-plus. Founded in 1936, FCDS is an all-boys institution for those in kindergarten through ninth grade. More than 1,000 acres of natural open space are owned by the town of Fairfield; in Greenfield Hill, residents can head to Mountain Laurel Open Space and Samp Mortar Rock Open Space for scenic hiking trails. Only a couple miles north of the neighborhood is the Connecticut Audubon Society, a nonprofit organization with a wildlife sanctuary and conservation area that spans more than 150 acres. “The Connecticut Audubon Society hosts summer camps and other year-round programs,” Viscuso says. She adds that also located just north of Greenfield Hill is the Patterson Club, a private country club where members have access to an 18-hole golf course, a 25-meter swimming pool and a racquet sports complex. “Greenfield Hill Commons has some stores; there’s a chocolate shop, home décor store, yoga studio… it’s kind of like a mini downtown,” Viscuso says. “There’s a coffee shop with a deli that also sells vegetables and fresh produce, so it’s more like a little market.” Also in Greenfield Hill Commons is BONDA Restaurant, a cozy yet upscale dining spot that serves popular pasta and chicken dishes. For fresh local food, residents can head to Little River Farm on Mine Hill Road, a small neighborhood farm with a seasonal market stand that sells produce, eggs and firewood. More extensive grocery shopping can be done at the nearby Trader Joe’s or the ShopRite of Fairfield, which are both situated in shopping centers along the Black Rock Turnpike. Viscuso says that a number of community events take place in Greenfield Hill, including the Dogwood Festival and a farmers’ market. Taking place during Mother’s Day weekend, the annual Dogwood Festival hosts regional vendors that specialize in arts and crafts activities and retail items. Festival attendees can also enjoy food trucks, live music and guided walking tours about the area’s history. Every Saturday from May through October, the Greenfield Farmers Market is hosted at the Greenfield Hill Commons.

Walking around Stratfield Village, the history of the neighborhood is seen through the diverse range of architecture. Canopied by mature maples while the songs of robins break the silence of this quiet, residential community, Stratfield Village boasts beautiful homes, highly rated schools, and nearby outdoor and indoor entertainment options. “Fairfield offers amazing outdoor escapes and renowned golf courses but is still close enough for those looking to commute into New York City but want to live in the suburbs,” says Matthew Hyde, Realtor with William Raveis Real Estate, a Fairfield County native. They say home is where the heart is, but in Stratfield Village, the houses are the heart and soul of the neighborhood. Walking around Stratfield Village, the history of the neighborhood is seen through the diverse range of architecture. Canopied by mature maples while the songs of robins break the silence of this quiet, residential community, Stratfield Village boasts beautiful homes, highly rated schools, and nearby outdoor and indoor entertainment options. “Fairfield offers amazing outdoor escapes and renowned golf courses but is still close enough for those looking to commute into New York City but want to live in the suburbs,” says Matthew Hyde, Realtor with William Raveis Real Estate, a Fairfield County native. They say home is where the heart is, but in Stratfield Village, the houses are the heart and soul of the neighborhood. Children can attend Stratfield Elementary School and Tomilson Middle School, both of which earn an A-minus grade from Niche. They may continue to A-plus-rated Fairfield Warde High School, where dual enrollment classes with the University of Connecticut include drawing, economics and public speaking. A Romanesque Revival church stands next to the kindergarten through eighth grade Assumption Catholic School on Stratfield Road. The Unquowa School is in a Colonial Revival-style building on the same street. Copper and glass contemporary-style buildings fill Sacred Heart University’s 300-acre campus, spread across Stratfield Village’s northernmost region. Founded in 1963, the private Catholic school offers over 90 undergraduate degree programs, like nursing, marketing and journalism. While locals may hear the crack of a baseball bat as the NCAA Division I team plays at Pioneer Park, Tortora says the school barely affects the neighborhood. “There aren’t many rental properties or apartments, so they don’t live in Stratfield Village once they’re out of the dorms,” she says. “Traffic in the area gets a little heavy when the kids move in, but other than that, SHU isn’t known as a crazy party school.” Locals flock to nearby Lake Mohegan for an afternoon escape on the wooded trails or head to the dog park. In the summer, children play on the splash pad to escape the heat while the lake is full of swimmers and beachgoers. Nearby, Lt. Owen Fish Park is also home to a playground, tennis court, and a serene pond where visitors can feed the ducks. Those looking for a different scene of greenery can play one of the two challenging 18-hole courses at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course or check out Brooklawn Country Club, where members enjoy golf, swimming and bowling along with social events such as the annual Lobster Bake. For a bite to eat, JP’s Diner, located on the campus of Sacred Heart University, offers a nostalgic 1950s atmosphere, while The Tasty Yolk is a popular spot for brunch. Maione’s Pizza Kitchen offers delivery for those Friday nights spent at home. Residents can head to Stillson Plaza along Black Rock Turnpike for everyday errands, home to Trader Joe’s for organic produce. The ShopRite of Fairfield is also across the street, while a range of local restaurants and chain stores, such as Starbucks or the Little Pub Fairfield, are scattered around. The Stratfield Village Association (SVA), a registered nonprofit aiming to facilitate community involvement, hosts various events throughout the year, such as the Lincoln Parkapalooza. Every September, music from local musicians fills the air at Lincoln Park. Featuring 3 bands and a Porchfest event where neighbors can attend intimate front porch concerts, the event aims to foster a sense of community while raising money for neighborhood improvements. Residents and Sacred Heart University students have easy access to Merritt Parkway, while Interstate 95 is just outside the neighborhood’s borders. Stratford Road serves as the main thoroughfare through the area. Bus stops are easily accessible along Park Avenue, while locals are close to the Stratford and Fairfield train stations, leading the 64 miles into New York City.