Scenic small-town atmosphere and outdoor recreation in New Milford
New Milford offers scenic living in Western Connecticut’s rolling hills. Though this is geographically the state’s largest town with its largest lake, it maintains a small-town feel with just over 7,600 residents. It also has an abundance of land designated for recreation, some of which is private. “You get a lot of benefits by being a resident. Parts of the lake and several parks are for residents only,” says Lou Capellaro, a local Realtor with Keller Williams Realty, who lived in New Milford from 2007 to 2024. While many New Yorkers purchase second homes here, it’s also a permanent destination with a quaint downtown and a convenient commercial corridor.
Housing ranges from modest condos to multi-million-dollar estates
New Milford has a wide range of housing options and a median price of $465,000, over the national median of around $400,000. One-bedroom condos downtown sell for as low as $115,000. Condos near Candlewood Lake with multi-car garages and a community pool sell for as much as $550,000. Single-family homes date as far back as the 1700s. Historic properties from the 18th and 19th centuries are mostly downtown and often feature Colonial and Victorian architecture. Those needing a lot of work can sell for as low as $165,000, while large, preserved estates sell for more than $1 million. Homebuyers will find houses in all shapes and sizes in the scenic rolling hills, with smaller homes selling for $250,000 and upscale properties for more than $1 million. Lakefront properties range from around $1 million to $2.5 million.
There's a moderate flood risk in New Milford, due to the Housatonic River. Homes and businesses close to the river have a higher risk of being impacted by flooding. One of the most recent major floods occurred in 2011, which was caused by heavy rainfall and closed Routes 7 and 67.
Boating on Candlewood Lake and hiking by the Housatonic River
One of the most popular outdoor destinations is Candlewood Lake, the largest lake in Connecticut, with more than 5,400 acres of water. “Candlewood Lake is a big deal for boaters," says Capellaro. "It gets pretty busy in the summer. And on the weekend? Forget about it.” People regularly dock their boats by the beach at Lynn Deming Park, which is open to residents only. The 5-mile New Milford Trail takes hikers through nature next to a train track along the Housatonic River. Youngs Field is also along the river near downtown, with several athletic fields and a playground. Lovers Leap State Park is on the far south side of town with a hiking trail over an iron bridge from the 1800s, past historic ruins and up 1,200 feet to a rock formation with views of the river gorge. According to local lore, it’s from this spot that Native American Princess Lillinonah and her lover leaped to their deaths, which is how the park got its name.
Local businesses downtown and busier shopping centers on Danbury Road
On the east side of the river, New Milford’s downtown has a quintessential New England feel. “It’s a very authentic downtown with stone buildings, churches, a library and local businesses,” Capellaro says. The cafes, restaurants and bars provide diverse dining experiences. River & Rail Café serves coffee and pastries in an intimate atmosphere with chic décor. O’Connor’s Public House is a more rustic Irish pub scene. And Lucia Ristorante is known for its fine-dining Italian cuisine. Downtown also has several gift shops, antique stores and boutiques. Danbury Road (U.S. Route 202) runs along the west side of the river and has shopping centers with big-box retailers and a mix of local and national chain restaurants.
Downtown theaters and community events at the Village Green
Downtown, locals can catch a play at Theater Works, enjoy a musical or dance performance at FineLine Theatre Arts or watch a film in the historic Bank Street Theater, built in 1902.
Several events are held downtown at the Village Green. In summer, dozens of local artists display their work, and kids perform dance routines on the green. During the holiday season, locals gather at the green for the annual tree-lighting ceremony. New Milford GOAT Days is a weekend-long spectacle held at Youngs Field. While GOAT stands for “Greatest Of All Towns,” the event features actual goats to cuddle with, carnival rides and other activities.
Well-rated public schools and a highly regarded Catholic boarding school
Most kindergarten through second-grade students on the east side of the river attend Northville Elementary School, while most on the west side go to Hill and Plain Elementary School. Both receive a B grade from Niche. Students from both schools go on to Sarah Noble Intermediate School and Schaghticoke Middle School, each graded a B-minus. New Milford High School receives a B-plus.
Ninth through twelfth-grade students may attend Canterbury School, a Catholic, college-preparatory boarding school. It receives an A-plus.
A 90-minute drive or a 2-hour train ride to New York City
New Milford is a car-dependent community with no public buses. From U.S. Route 202, it’s about a 30-minute drive to Danbury and a 90-minute drive to New York City. “New Milford is considered a suburb of Danbury, which is a suburb of New York,” Capellaro says. Train stations along the Metro-North Railroad are about 25 minutes away. A train ride to Grand Central Station in Manhattan takes nearly 2 hours.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
