Small town living just outside a busy Connecticut city
Despite being just outside New Haven, North Haven feels quite removed from urban life. Instead, North Haven is a quiet suburb largely consisting of comfortable homes on large lots and familiar small-town amenities like a community center, town green and suburban shopping plazas. “North Haven used to be considered the more affordable place to live in the area,” says Victoria Stillings, local Realtor at Coldwell Banker. “It’s a little too far from New York City to commute, so it tends to draw people who are either working locally or in Hartford. In fact, before Amazon built a distribution center in North Haven, there really was no industry at all to speak of in the town.” North Haven’s lack of commercial development means it hasn’t experienced the population surge of other towns on Connecticut’s coastline. Rather, it has maintained a slow but steady population growth from about 23,000 people in 2000 to just over 24,000 today.
North Haven has a rich history dating back to 1670.
North Haven is a place where where the pace is a little slower and residents love it that way.
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Spread-out suburban homes on large lots
The median home price in North Haven is $435,000, just above the national median home price. Some houses are in spread-out subdivisions, while others are tucked away in the woods along country roads. “The lots in North Haven are really much larger than what you typically find in Connecticut,” Stillings says. “It’s easy to find houses with one- and two-acre lots.” Most homes in North Haven were built in the mid-to-late-20th century, and popular styles include cottages, split-levels and Colonial Revivals. A few townhomes and condos are spread throughout the town, though single-family housing is more common. North Haven has a CAP Index Crime score of 2, indicating an overall lower crime risk than the national average of 4.
Cape Cod homes are also common in North Haven.
This updated Colonial-style home resides in North Haven.
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Highly rated public and private schools around North Haven
The North Haven School District earns an overall rating of A-minus from Niche. The district has four elementary schools that funnel into B-plus-rated North Haven Middle School and B-plus-rated North Haven High School. Students at North Haven High School can join more than 40 school-sponsored clubs, and they have the opportunity to play more than 25 varsity-level sports. There are also several private schools in the area, including the K-7 Slate School in North Haven, which doesn't have a Niche rating, and the A-plus-rated Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford. Choate Rosemary Hall, a boarding school, is rated the best private school in the state by Niche. Notable alumni include John F. Kennedy and Ivanka Trump.
North Haven Middle School sits on a campus adjacent to the high school.
Students from North Haven finish their education at North Haven High School.
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Views from Peter’s Rock Park and indoor swimming
Peter's Rock Park, with its trails weaving through the forest, is a popular spot for hiking during North Haven’s warm summers. Some trails lead to an overlook that provides views of New Haven and surrounding mountains like Totoket and Saltonstall. The top of Peter’s Rock – also known to locals as Rabbit Rock or the Hermitage – is the highest point in North Haven. Locals can get active during the cold winter months at Walter Gawrych Community Pool – an indoor facility with year-round swim lessons, fitness classes and open swim hours.
North Haven’s Parks and Recreation department also offers more than 150 programs each year, including kids’ camps, athletic teams and events. The Town Green, shaded by mature trees, is bordered by the Town Hall, historic St. John’s Episcopal Church and historic North Haven Congregational Church. It's a popular gathering spot for events, such as the town’s free summer concert series, which welcomes local cover bands spanning genres from classic rock and pop to funk and soul. Other seasonal events include a December tree lighting with visits from Santa and a Halloween “Trunk or Treat.” Just south, New Haven has more cultural attractions and venues, such as the Yale Peabody Museum, Yale University Art Gallery, the Yale Bowl football stadium and Yale Repertory Theatre.
The views from the top of Peter’s Rock Park in North Haven are stunning.
Chapman-Sinoway Park in North Haven is great for fishing and picnics, and it also has trails.
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New developments coming to Washington Avenue
State Street and Washington Avenue have most of North Haven’s commercial buildings, including the Amazon fulfillment center that opened in 2019. “There’s not a lot of development there right now, but it’s coming. Businesses are starting to move in, so it’s really just a matter of time,” Stillings says. More development is expected along Washington Avenue near the Amazon fulfillment center soon, with at least one retail plaza geared up to break ground in early 2025.
For groceries, residents can swing by the Target or BJ’s Wholesale Club just off I-91. Washington Commons also has a Stop & Shopping and Walgreens, among other businesses. North Haven’s town center area has a few popular local Italian restaurants.
Stop & Shop is centrally located for grocery shopping needs,
When dining out, locals love the Italian fare at Ludal’s Italian in North Haven.
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Working at Amazon and in major cities nearby
The Amazon fulfillment center on Washington Avenue employs over 2,000 people in North Haven, and more major employers, such as Yale University and the Yale New Haven Hospital System, are just south in New Haven. Hartford has more employers, including Aetna, a major health insurance provider, and Pratt & Whitney, an aerospace manufacturer.
Commuters can take Interstate 91 south to New Haven or 30 miles north to Hartford. CTtransit buses also have direct routes to both cities from North Haven. Locals can drive to New Haven’s Union Station, about 8 miles south, to ride the New Haven line into New York City, about 85 miles southeast. Tweed New Haven Airport is 10 miles south of North Haven.
North Haven is a quiet town situated 8 miles north of New Haven.
Several bus lines serve the community in North Haven.
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Having raised my family in the Milford/Orange area for the past 21 years, I have deep roots in this community. Growing up in nearby Stratford has given me intimate knowledge of the local market and its unique neighborhoods. As an active member of the Milford Arts Council and the President of the Orange Rotary, I am passionate about giving back to my community. I also volunteer with the Purple Pantry Boxes, a local food bank serving Milford and surrounding towns.
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