Small town community in the New England countryside
Located in Fairfield County, the small town of Monroe combines suburban and rural to bring residents the best of both worlds. Homes here line winding, nature-filled streets that branch off from main roads, such as Monroe Turnpike, and sprawl out into the countryside. Along the turnpike itself, which travels throughout the town, locals can find a handful of small commercial areas and Monroe’s town center, which includes a town hall, the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, several places of worship and the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department. Mother-daughter duo Kim Camella Roy and Dianne Camella are local Realtors with RE/MAX Right Choice who say that one of the town’s biggest draws is its highly rated schools; with an overall A rating from Niche, Monroe Public Schools have been awarded numerous accolades, including School of Distinction honors from the state of Connecticut and National Blue Ribbon recognition from the U.S. Department of Education. With the lowest possible CAP Index score of 1, this area is considered to be very safe and low on crime.
Historic New England homes and newer condo complexes
Locals can find a mix of residential properties in this area: “You can find everything from single-family homes to adult communities to a handful of condo complexes,” Kim says. “We have a few 55+ communities here; most of them are condominiums, but a new one is currently being built and will have detached homes.” Single-family homes make up a majority of properties and encompass a wide range of architecture, but some of the more common home styles include residences with Colonial influences, Cape Cod dwellings and properties with traditional-style architecture. Split-levels and ranch-style residences can also be found throughout the area. Monroe was founded in 1823, so properties here also vary in build year. “We have some historic homes in the town center that are listed on the national registry,” Dianne says. She adds that the town also has a dedicated Historic District Commission that oversees the preservation of historic buildings and places of interest. The median cost of a home is just over $530,000, but prices can range anywhere from approximately “$450,000 to $1 million,” according to Kim.
Students attend award-winning Monroe Public Schools district
Young learners have three primary school options in the Monroe Public Schools district: Monroe Elementary and Fawn Hollow Elementary are both rated A-minus, while Stepney Elementary School has an A rating and was designated a School of Distinction by the Connecticut State Department of Education for the 2022-23 year. Students in grades six through eight can enroll at Jockey Hollow Middle School, a B-plus-rated institution where, according to Dianne, students can elect to attend a STEM Academy on a satellite campus at Masuk High School. The A-rated Masuk High School serves secondary students and received a federal Blue Ribbon award in 2015 for outstanding academic performance. Opportunities for post-secondary credits and advanced placement curriculum are available at Masuk.
Explore nature at the Webb Mountain Park Discovery Zone
“Monroe has a really nice park system, which is a big draw,” Kim says. “Wolfe Park is about 360 acres, and from the park, you can take the Wolfe Park Hiking Trail to Great Hollow Lake; you can fish there, you can swim, and there’s a playground.” Wolfe Park also features several outdoor athletic facilities, including tennis courts and two baseball fields. “There’s also Webb Mountain Park, which has a nature center called the Webb Mountain Discovery Zone,” Kim says. Webb Mountain parkgoers can also go camping and hike up to a scenic outlook. Residents can also find a golf course near the Monroe town center: “Whitney Farms Golf Course is a public 18-hole course – they also have a nice little restaurant and catering options,” Dianne says.
Local dining options and mom-and-pop shops
According to Dianne, Monroe is home to a number of mom-and-pop shops and local dining spots. For a bite to eat, residents can head to Bill’s Drive-In, a characterful town favorite established in 1940 that’s known for its tasty grinders, burgers and wraps. Located along Main Street, Country Pizza & Restaurant has been a community staple for years and has a menu full of classic Italian and Greek dishes. Just down the road is Monroe Diner, a popular family-owned eatery serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Residents can do their weekly grocery shopping at Stop & Shop in the Monroe Plaza Shopping Center, which sits right across the street from Angelo’s Specialties, an Italian deli and food market.
Monroe Farmers’ Market named best in the state
“We have festivals on the Monroe Town Green throughout the year, including the Strawberry Festival,” Kim says. “St. Jude Church also hosts their Italian festival where they bring in carnival rides.” The Town Green is also the site of the Monroe Farmers’ Market, which takes place every Friday from June through October and was voted the No. 1 Farmers’ Market in Connecticut by America’s Farmland Trust in 2023. “There’s also an outdoor summer concert series at Wolfe Park,” Dianne says.
Route 25 connects to major highways and nearby cities
Public bus Route 19X is operated by Greater Bridgeport Transit (GBT) and has multiple stops along the Monroe Turnpike. There are a few major thoroughfares in the area convenient for commuters: “Route 25 will connect you to I-95 and Merritt Parkway,” Dianne says. Using Rte 25, locals can drive approximately 12 miles into Bridgeport’s downtown area and Interstate 95. “It’s a small town, but you’re only a 15 to 20-minute drive away from other areas,” Kim says.
Photography Contributed By
Collin Quinlivan
