Greenwich

A close-knit, casual neighborhood of Greenwich, Cos Cob is minutes from golf courses and spectacular views of the water. “Cos Cob has something so special about it — it brings you back to your roots,” says Kristen Studwell, an agent with Compass and a Greenwich native who has lived in Cos Cob for more than seven years. “It’s very family-oriented, and we have access to parks and nature trails, which is a fantastic perk.” Along the main thoroughfares in Cos Cob, sidewalks allow pedestrians to safely explore small businesses. Residential streets curve past maple and evergreen trees and are met with waist-high hedges or tidy stone walls. Along East Putnam Avenue, residents can find several spots to enjoy a sit-down meal or to grab ingredients to prepare something at home. “Rinaldi’s Deli has been serving the community for over 30 years. It’s run by Steven Vizzo, a Cos Cob native — he greets everyone with a smile,” Studwell says. Some other local favorites are the Little Pub Greenwich, The Cos Cobber and Louie’s. Though there’s a Whole Foods less than 2 miles away, specialty shops such as Fjord Fish Market, Scarpelli’s Sausage and Greenwich Cheese Company offer convenience and fresh flavors. There are a few boutiques as well, including habitatgreenwich, which has a curated selection of home décor. For more retail options, Greenwich Avenue is the go-to spot. Scattered throughout the community are an abundance of parks and recreational facilities. “The Montgomery Pinetum Park is one of our favorite weekend adventures with our kids and dogs,” Studwell says. “We get lost in the beauty — it is a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life.” The Bible Street Park has a couple of playgrounds and several sports fields. “During the summer, they have a camp that’s a favorite among Cos Cob families,” Studwell says. “Local elementary gym teachers created it to let the kids be kids again — they get to play stickball and field day-type games.” Aspiring ballerinas can take lessons at Beam & Barre, and art lovers of all ages can sign up for lessons at Make-Modern. Housing in Cos Cob ranges from condos to single-family residences, many of which sell in the millions. There are a few remaining colonial-era homes, but most places were built from 1920 onward, and there are several new traditional-style builds as well. Condos often start around $600,000 and luxury options may top $2 million. Some single-family houses might sell for just shy of $1 million; however, the majority of offerings are between $1 million and $2 million. Properties can reach up to $5 million. At this price point, buyers can expect views of the water and about 5,000 square feet of living space resting on a quarter of an acre of land. Students in the community are part of Greenwich Public Schools, rated No. 3 in the state by Niche. With an A-plus score overall, the district is one of the area's big draws for homebuyers with school-aged children or dependents. Young learners can begin their academic journeys at Cos Cob School, which gets an A rating and has a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. Central Middle School also scores an A. Students finish their secondary academic journey at A-plus-rated Greenwich High School; it offers more than 150 clubs, including one centered around artificial intelligence and another for appreciating Albanian culture. Some parents choose to send their kids to private schools — a few nearby options are Greenwich Country Day School, the all-male Brunswick School and all-female Greenwich Academy. Cos Cob locals can enjoy Greenwich-area events. Some of the most widely attended ones are the Greenwich Town Party in May, where several bands perform, and crowds gather on land as well as on water to listen. Greenwich Wine + Food is another notable festival; proceeds from the tickets go toward food-related charity causes. On the Fourth of July, both Old Greenwich and Greenwich put on fireworks displays. Residents can head east or west to see them up close or watch from a distance at Cos Cob Park. Public transportation in the community includes CTtransit buses, which stop along East Putnam Avenue. Those who need to commute farther can catch a Metro-North train at the Cos Cob station; the trip to Grand Central Station takes about an hour and ten minutes. Interstate 95 also passes through town, giving drivers a direct route to New York and the rest of the Eastern Seaboard. The nearest airport is White Plains Airport, about 6 miles away, which offers direct flights to more than 10 locations year-round. Medical care is available at Greenwich Hospital, a 2-mile drive from Cos Cob. The hospital is affiliated with Yale New Haven Health and has a 24-hour emergency facility. Parts of Cos Cob are prone to flooding. Those located within a flood zone may be required to purchase additional flood insurance for their home. Homeowners nearest to Interstate 95 and the train station are likely to experience noise from passing vehicles, particularly during high-traffic times. Residents of Fairfield County (which includes Greenwich) are prone to strong winds and ice storms, per the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Old Greenwich is a relaxing community along Connecticut's coast, home to local businesses and with easy access to the beach. "It's a very sophisticated, yet old-fashioned small town with a variety of people from many backgrounds that are very down to earth and fun to be with," says Cynthia De Riemer, an award-winning Realtor and local in Old Greenwich. "You bump into people that you know, but then you’re always meeting someone new, which means there's usually fresh new ideas and lots of community spirit.” Many streets here are marked for private residences, where New England and Cape Cod homes show off gambrel roofs, dormer windows and shingle siding. Its cozy downtown features new and old stone buildings with small boutiques, a bookstore and restaurants. Students attend top-rated schools within the Greenwich Public School district, which is the No. 5 best school district in Connecticut and scores an A-plus on Niche. Old Greenwich is one of the more desirable Greenwich neighborhoods because "it is one of the shorefront communities. Greenwich Point Park, we call it Tod's Point, is the crown jewel of amenities within all of Greenwich," De Riemer says. "People put in their kayaks and sailboats, swim and picnic at the beautiful beach and can hike the multiple trails." Binney Park is across the street from Perrot Memorial Library, with walking paths and sports fields. A pavilion rests on the island within the park’s pond, where visitors can ice skate in the wintertime or view 4th of July firework shows in summer. Innis Arden Golf Club, established in 1899, offers its members an 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, racquet sports courts and fitness center. Townhouse and condo associations in Old Greenwich offer their residents access to fitness centers, pools, sports courts and outdoor gathering spaces. These townhouses and condo units can be found at prices between $350,000 and almost $800,000. A few single-family ranch-style homes with two-to-three bedrooms can cost around $700,000, but most homes in Old Greenwich start around $2 million. These sprawling homes with Craftsman columns, spacious porches and wide windows sit on lots with less than an acre. Estates with proximity to nearby beaches and more than five bedrooms can reach prices over $9 million. “Homes near the water may end up in a flood zone but people are still willing to live here because of the lifestyle and the community,” De Riemer says. “There are ways to correct it, and while water may be disruptive in some areas, in others, it’s not so bad.” For such a close-knit community, it’s no wonder that Old Greenwich hosts several annual and weekly events. “One of the things I love about Greenwich is that the libraries are amazing. Perrot Library is a very beloved amenity in town,” De Riemer says. “They have events for kids, like Perrot in your PJs, where they go at 7 pm for bedtime stories, which is cute. They also have a variety of speakers and authors who come in weekly.” The library also hosts Movies in the Park at Binney Park in the summertime. During the 4th of July, residents can camp out at Binney Park or on the coastline at Greenwich Point Park to watch the fireworks shows. Old Greenwich's vibrant downtown consists of many shops and restaurants. "We call the downtown area along Sound Beach Avenue ‘The Village’ because it's got many shops, restaurants, a post office, grocery store, elementary school and a train station to NYC... it really feels like a village here," De Riemer says. Sweet Pea’s Baking Company has classic farmer’s breakfasts and triple stack pancakes alongside pastries and coffees. Since 1994, Upper Crust Bagel Company has been serving bagels to the Old Greenwich community. Osteria Applausi is a family-owned restaurant that believes in simple and wholesome Italian cuisine such as their famous slow-braised veal shank. For everyday errands, Kings Food Markets grocery store and Ace Hardware are also nearby. Depending on their address, students can attend kindergarten through fifth grade at North Mianus School or International School at Dundee, both of which are graded an A-plus. They can also attend Old Greenwich School for kindergarten through fifth grade, which scores an A. All students in Old Greenwich can then move on to Eastern Middle School for sixth through eighth grade, and finally Greenwich High School, both of which are graded an A-plus. Old Greenwich, though coastal, is within driving distance of Stamford, about 4 miles north via Shore Road. Manhattan is about 37 miles south, and Old Greenwich residents can get there in about an hour during times of low traffic. The Old Greenwich train station is right in town and can take passengers to Stamford and Grand Central Station. The Stamford Hospital is located 3 miles north.

Located on the southernmost part of the Connecticut coast, Byram seamlessly blends friendly, embracing neighbors and exclusive residential life. "Byram is one of the most expensive parts of town," says Cynthia DeRiemer, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. "In the Byram neighborhood, there are people from all over the world, and there's a strong sense of community." Byram, a Greenwich suburb, offers a mix of residential homes. There are 1,000- to 2,000-square-foot Cape Cods and older colonials with hardwood floors and up to a half acre of backyard space, some that have been developed into multifamily dwellings, in the $500,000 to $900,000 price range. "In the more exclusive part of town, prices reflect that, with homes going for about $7 million on average. It's a strictly residential area, and when people think of Greenwich with the big expensive homes, this is where they think of," DeRiemer says. These larger, 3,000- to 5,000-square-foot Colonial Revivals and postmodern homes come equipped with up to an acre of yard space, some with fenced-in back patios and attached multi-car garages, starting around $2 million and growing upwards of $7 million for waterfront properties. Students in the area are part of Greenwich Public Schools, rated No. 3 in the state by Niche. With an A-plus rating overall and A-plus ratings for its clubs, activities, teachers, academics and college prep, this school district is one of the area's big draws for homebuyers with school-aged children or dependents. Byram's youngest learners can start their academic journeys at New Lebanon Elementary School, which has an A-plus rating on Niche. Western Middle School has an A rating from Niche, excellent ratings for its teachers and academic programs and a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. Students finish their secondary academic journey at Greenwich High School, the fourth-best high school in Connecticut, according to Niche. Greenwich High has an A-plus rating overall and A or higher ratings for its 150+ clubs, including artificial intelligence, cornhole, gambling awareness and music theory clubs. For a bite to eat, head to the shops at Byram. "There are some great restaurants in that part of town," DeRiemer says. Locals love Bar Rosina's, located in the cluster of businesses along Mill Street that make up Byram's commercial district. Bar Rosina's serves tasty Italian cuisine in a rustic setting, with hardwood floors and warm colors throughout, lending the feeling of a mother's kitchen to the restaurant. This strip of restaurants makes going out to eat in Byram a breeze, residents enjoy this walkable area on weeknights and weekends. Residents can often be found hanging out at Byram Park, a beachfront greenspace with a pool, baseball field, and open space perfect for basking in the sun or throwing a frisbee back and forth. During the warmer months, locals enjoy grilling at the park's picnic shelters, splashing around in the water or anchoring their boats around one of the small islands near the shore. In the southern tip of the neighborhood, Hawthorne Beach offers swimming and beach access to members of the Hawthorne Beach Association. Several bus stops line Mill Street, and Interstate 95 runs through the neighborhood, making it easy for residents to get anywhere along the New England coast. Locals can drive south on the interstate for 30 miles and land in the heart of New York City, or they can drive north for 48 miles to arrive in New Haven. Byram offers an attractive mix of premium housing and waterfront neighborhood amenities like beaches, docks and parks. Its commercial district is home to popular restaurants and highway convenience, and the area's friendly community creates a welcoming atmosphere, making this Greenwich coastal suburb a desirable place to call home.

Known as one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country, Back Country Greenwich is exactly as it sounds. Located about 6 miles from the town of Greenwich, the community is surrounded by golf courses and nature preserves and is riddled with sprawling multimillion-dollar private estates. “There is a lot of acreage in Back Country,” says Realtor Amanda Miller of Houlihan Lawrence and area resident of 35 years. “The area is definitely for someone who likes a bit more privacy.” With easy access to the Gold Coast of Connecticut and Manhattan just 40 miles away, it’s no wonder why this affluent neighborhood is so highly sought after. Selection in this neighborhood consists entirely of single-family homes that price starting in the millions. Large private lots and sprawling landscapes are characteristic of the area, providing ample space for tiered gardens, private pools, tennis courts and courtyards. Prospective buyers can find a variety of styles here. A modest three-bedroom cottage on four acres begins around $1.3 million; a seven-bedroom modern Craftsman mansion on five acres starts around $4.1 million, and a stately six-bedroom Georgian Colonial with a private pool prices around $6.5 million. These options run all the way up to a 15,000 square foot French Colonial Revival on 27 acres, with its own wine cellar and a heated indoor pool, beginning at $30 million. Top-tier properties like this also have amenities like secluded beaches, guest houses, spas and walled gardens. Students are zoned for Greenwich Public Schools, rated the No. 3 district in the state by Niche. Young learners in the neighborhood begin at Parkway School for elementary, which earns an A, before heading to Eastern Middle School, which receives an A-plus rating. Students finish their secondary educational journey at Greenwich High School, the fourth-best high school in Connecticut, according to Niche. Greenwich High has an A-plus rating overall and A or higher ratings for its clubs, activities, teachers, academics and college prep. The school has more than 150 clubs to choose from, including artificial intelligence, cornhole, gambling awareness and music theory clubs. Golfers will be delighted by the multitude of choices, as there are no less than five courses in Back Country Greenwich. Golf Digest ranked the Stanwich Club on the eastern side of the neighborhood as the best course in the state of Connecticut in 2023, with Tamarack Country Club on the western side earning the No. 4 slot. “It’s a great area for people who like to play golf,” Miller says. “There are great parks with lots of trails, too.” For a breath of fresh air or a meandering stroll through the New England woodlands, Babcock Preserve offers over 7 miles of trails canopied by towering oak trees, and the Greenwich Audubon Center manages seven public wildlife sanctuaries, such as the Fairchild Wildflower Sanctuary. The nearest shopping and restaurant options to the neighborhood are 6 miles away in downtown Greenwich. Residents can grab coffee and a traditional French pastry from Raphael’s Bakery, shop for groceries at Whole Foods and stop in at Saks Fifth Avenue along Greenwich Avenue. Five miles further in Old Greenwich, Le Fat Poodle is a famous French bistro that serves iconic dishes like wicked tartare, blistered shishito peppers and the pu-pu platter. To end the day, Siren Restobar is a relaxing spot to sip a cocktail and catch up with friends. US Route 15 cuts through the area, and Westchester New York County Airport borders the neighborhood, making travel easy. “The airport is very convenient for anyone who commutes to places like Chicago or Virginia,” Miller says. “It’s all private terminals, and it’s just very convenient.” Residents can also catch a train at Greenwich Station, which will bring them straight to the heart of New York City in just over one hour. One of the most popular places to spend a Sunday in Back Country is the Greenwich Polo Club. “The polo is a great spectator sport,” Miller says. When the weather is fair, residents flock to the polo matches held every weekend to spread a blanket on the lawn and share a picnic with the family or splurge on the Players’ Lounge experience, complete with a VIP bar and reclining lawn chairs. Picnic boxes are available, along with offerings from several food trucks that can be enjoyed at the picnic tables scattered about.

With breathtaking views of the waters and home to one of the most premium shopping destinations in the country, Downtown Greenwich is the heart of this New England town, offering exciting art, culture and entertainment options. Greenwich first became popular with the arrival of the railroad in the early 1900s, and it quickly became the destination for wealthy New Yorkers who wanted country estates as second homes to escape the bustling city. While the narrative still holds true, Downtown Greenwich is now synonymous with luxury living, filling the landscape with premier boutiques, a vibrant art scene, million-dollar residential homes and top-performing schools that are on par with all the desirable attractions of the town. “People are always struck by the beauty and convenience of the town,” says Fred Camillo, First Selectman of Greenwich. “We have beautiful beaches you can walk to, world-class stores, great dining and sporting venues, and we have the lowest tax rate in Connecticut.” “We are the gateway to New England, and you’ll see lots of traditional New England-style homes. Properties have strict zoning regulations, so we don’t have many houses that look out of place,” Camillo says. The community’s single-family Cape Cod, ranch-style and traditional homes around 1,500 to 2,000 square feet may start at $850,000 and climb to $2 million. Larger New England shingle-style houses with front porches and dormer windows, Colonial Revivals and Tudor Revivals close to 4,000 or 5,000 square feet can reach between $2 million and $4.5 million. Yard sizes vary from 2,000 square feet to a half-acre, and yards are often well-landscaped with white picket fences or trimmed shrubbery. Tucked between Indian Harbor and Smith Cove, the prestigious Indian Harbor Association features peninsula and waterfront estates in a gated, around-the-clock secured community that starts at $5 million and goes up to multi-millions. Condo units range from $400,000 to $700,000, while townhouses and duplex units run between $700,000 and $2 million. Referred to by Greenwich locals simply as “The Ave,” Greenwich Avenue is one of the most prominent shopping destinations on the East Coast. Home to upscale designers and department stores such as Baccarat, Hermes and Saks Fifth Avenue, the lively shopping district also features locally curated boutiques and longstanding mom-and-pop stores, including Out of the Box and Michelangelo’s. Make a reservation at the iconic L’Escale and enjoy French fine dining right on the waters at Greenwich Harbor. Additional options include Eastend for New American fare and the Northern Italian bistro-inspired Terra Ristorante Italiano. Grocery store options include Acme, Whole Foods Market and Garelick & Herbs, and Target is about 6 miles away in Stamford. Located on a small peninsula in Greenwich Harbor, Roger Sherman Baldwin Park offers sparkling views of the water and is a great place to catch a breeze and enjoy the water. With a skate park and a relaxing open field, this park is often the gathering place for many outdoor concerts and events. Home to Bryce Museum and 100 acres of natural landscape, residents can explore Bruce Park’s scenic walking paths along the ponds and play sports at the athletic fields and tennis courts. Children can explore the sizeable playground’s well-maintained equipment and climbing ropes. For swimming, boating and other water activities, residents may head to one of Greenwich's popular beaches, such as Island Beach or Greenwich Point Beach. The annual Art to the Avenue Festival is where Greenwich Avenue becomes an outdoor gallery with artwork by local artists displayed for an entire month. Locals may also explore the numerous independent art galleries that dot The Ave, including C. Parker Gallery and Weber Fine Art. Bruce Museum organizes the Outdoor Crafts Festival in spring and the Outdoor Arts Festival in fall at Bruce Park. Film lovers may plan to attend the Greenwich International Film Festival in late April, and shoppers can bookmark their July calendar for the Greenwich Sidewalk Sale, where shops on Greenwich Avenue line the streets with pop-up tents and bargain deals. In celebration of the historic town, Greenwich citizens come together every year for the Greenwich Town Party, featuring music lineups and children's activities such as face painting and bounce houses. Area primary students may attend Julian Curtiss School, rated A by Niche, which is a public magnet school offering instruction in world languages such as Spanish and French. Central Middle School also scores an A while Greenwich High School receives an A-plus and offers over 350 classes, including 32 Advanced Placement courses. Known for its proximity to New York City, Greenwich is about 35 miles from the metropolis via Interstate 95. Metro-North Railroad has a train station in Greenwich, providing commuters with transportation services throughout New York and Connecticut. Westchester County Airport is about 8 miles away and offers nonstop flights to major cities such as New York, Chicago and Miami, and Greenwich Hospital is right by the neighborhood.

Though it’s right next to Greenwich, Riverside swaps the coastal atmosphere for a more suburban feel, where residents walk the tree-lined streets, and the community gathers to support the local PTA. “You’re going to run into your neighbors as you’re walking to school, and you’ll start to see familiar faces in the neighborhood,” says Megan Epand, a real estate agent with Houlihan Lawrence who has served the area for seven years. Known for its luxurious homes with lush landscapes and views of the Long Island Sound, Riverside also has top-rated schools, coastal recreational opportunities and a commuter rail that routes to New York City. Wandering through the quiet streets, canopied by tall oaks, an array of architecture greets the eye, from stately New England colonials to sleek, modern designs and the occasional Tudor with exposed beams and stone accents. “There are beautiful homes on a little more land. Everyone really keeps up their homes,” Epand says. Riverside is filled with pristine landscaping with rounded shrubbery and bright blooms. The neighborhood is one of the most expensive in Connecticut, as the average household income is far above the rest of the state, and the median selling price is around $2.2 million. Most properties were built in the mid-to-late 20th century, and prices for all single-family homes start around $800,000. Cottages and Colonial Revivals cost between $1 million and $3 million, while Tudor Revivals or classic Nantucket shingle homes start around $4 million. Occasionally, sprawling contemporary estates go on the market for anywhere between $6 million and $16 million. Binney Park is a public green space with a pond encircled by a walking loop with benches for waterside strolls and relaxing picnics. Kids kick soccer balls around the park’s sports fields, and residents meet for tennis and pickleball matches at the tennis courts. “You’ll see lots of kids out on the Riverside school’s playground on the weekend when school isn’t in session,” Epand says. The Riverside Yacht Club is a members-only organization with a marina for sailing enthusiasts, and the nearby Greenwich Point Park offers walking trails where locals can watch the sunset as waves lap against the rocky coast. The park also has a sand beach for swimming and enjoying views of the Long Island Sound. East Putnam Avenue is a commercial corridor where locals find reliable chains and a few elevated eateries. Mornings start with brunch at CFCF Coffee, a café serving avocado toast, pancakes and iced lattes. In the afternoon, Sushi Soba serves fresh sushi rolls and soba noodle soup in a trendy, modern setting. Tony’s at the J House is an Italian Steakhouse, and Valbella is another upscale Italian restaurant serving pasta and filet mignon. Balducci's is a specialty grocery store that carries a wide selection of wine, cheese and organic produce, but residents can drive a mile north to shop at ShopRite, a larger supermarket. Locals often drive east to Old Greenwich or west to downtown Greenwich for additional restaurants and shopping. Downtown, there are boutiques and retailers like J. Crew and Aritzia, and the Stamford Town Center, which is 3 miles northeast, is packed with stores like Macy’s, Sephora and Target. School PTAs play an active role in the community. Every May, the streets are filled with residents of all ages running a three-mile trail through Riverside, while neighbors line the streets to cheer them on during the Riverside Run, a fundraiser to support local PTA programs. The PTA also honors service members with a Veterans Day celebration on the Riverside School lawn. Binney Park also has an Independence Day fireworks display. Locals enjoy proximity to Greenwich for large-scale events, like the Greenwich Town Party, a ticketed music festival with food, local vendors and kid-friendly activities. Past town party performers include Billy Joel, the Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Residents can drive about 4 miles southwest to take advantage of other Greenwich activities. “There’s a ferry that takes you out to Island Beach, that’s fun in the summer. You can just spend the day exploring the island and swimming, and they have a snack bar out there,” Epand says. Students attend schools that all earn A-plus ratings from Niche. Kids start at Riverside Elementary School and progress to Eastern Middle School. Greenwich High School, which Niche ranks as the fourth best public high school in the state, serves older students. The high school encourages student engagement with over 300 courses and extracurricular activities. Students can join clubs that focus on creative writing, architecture appreciation, foreign languages, investments and more. “There is a train station stop in Riverside, so it’s commutable to New York,” Epand says. The New Haven line on the Metro-North Railroad takes residents to Grand Central Station in about an hour. Interstate 95 is close by for those who prefer to drive 40 miles southwest to New York City. The rest of the neighborhood is comprised of peaceful residential streets — though many don’t have sidewalks, Epand says it’s not uncommon to see people biking or walking their kids to school.