A community of about 9,000 people in Fairfield County, Sandy Hook is a close-knit village with a growing downtown. “In a nutshell, Sandy Hook is classic Connecticut,” says Andy Sachs, managing broker of Around Town Real Estate, who’s served the area for over a decade. “It’s a village in Newtown, Connecticut, that’s been through revitalization in the past decade. More shops, restaurants and recreation have made it a gathering hub for the greater area.” The downtown area is also where locals gather for events, displaying a community cohesion that was partially borne from the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Today, the nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise is headquartered in the area and advocates against gun violence.
Show your town pride at Newtown’s Labor Day Parade, a celebration for all ages.
The "Be Kind" mural in Sandy Hook is a powerful reminder of compassion, inspired by the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation.
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Colonial Revivals and cottages throughout Sandy Hook
The village’s quiet, shaded streets are lined with classic New England-style homes. Bungalows and cottages from the early to mid-1900s are interspersed with newer builds, like split-levels and ranch-style homes from the late 20th century. Larger properties, like farmhouse-inspired homes and Colonial Revivals, were built in the later 1900s and early 2000s. The median sales price in Sandy Hook is about $560,000, which is above the national median.
Colonial Revival homes in Sandy Hook reflects the village’s classic New England architecture.
A cozy cottage style home in Sandy Hook highlights the area’s charming and historic character.
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Swimming spots, walking trails and boating on Lake Zoar
Public green spaces are scattered throughout the village. Community parks have sports fields and playgrounds, while nature preserves are popular places to go hiking or bird-watching. During the summer, locals go swimming at the public pool at Treadwell Memorial Park. Lake Zoar, a freshwater reservoir just south of Sandy Hook, is another swimming spot. “There’s a small beach there that’s never crowded,” says Lauren Auresto, a real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate who’s lived in the area for years. “There are boat slips out there, too, so it’s nice for people not to have to drive to the coast.”
Sunset at Lake Zoar in Sandy Hook paints the sky with stunning colors over the calm water.
Treadwell Memorial Park in Sandy Hook offers a public pool, sports fields, and green space for all ages.
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Popular eateries in downtown Sandy Hook
Downtown Sandy Hook has a collection of local restaurants, ranging from casual pubs to elevated eateries. “We’ve had a lot of new restaurants open in the area, which people have really loved,” Auresto says. Residents find supermarkets just outside the village in Newtown, but the closest big box stores are about 7 miles west, in Bethel. This area is also where residents find the nearest major medical services; Danbury Hospital is about 10 miles from Sandy Hook.
The Foundry Restaurant in Sandy Hook offers a cozy dining experience with a menu full of flavorful dishes.
The highly rated Danbury Hospital is just a short drive away from Sandy Hook.
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Students can attend top-rated Newtown Public Schools
Kids are zoned to Newtown Public Schools; the district earns an A rating from Niche and serves about 4,000 students. Many children attend Sandy Hook Elementary School, a new building that opened in 2016 following the 2012 mass shooting. The community chooses to spend the anniversary of the tragedy in solemn remembrance, and the village has a circular memorial park dedicated to the 26 victims.
Newtown High School serves Sandy Hook students in grades 9th through 12th.
Sandy Hook Elementary School is a modern, welcoming space for young students in the community.
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Seasonal events like Rocking the Hook at the center of town
The village gathers for seasonal events and holiday celebrations. “Rocking the Hook is a free concert at the bandstand in the middle of town, where they’ll have musical acts all throughout the day,” Auresto says. The September concert also has food trucks and local vendors. For Halloween, small businesses open their doors to trick-or-treaters. Residents can adopt a lamppost to decorate for the winter season and attend the village’s holiday tree lighting in December.
Rock the Hook brings the Sandy Hook community together every September for a full day of music and fun.
Find freshly baked goods and more at the Newtown Farmers Market in Newtown, CT.
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Commuting to New Haven, Hartford and even New York City
Though some who live near downtown may walk to its restaurants and shops, most residents depend on cars to get around. Interstate 84 crosses through the village, connecting to the greater Fairfield County area. Commuters often drive northeast to New Haven or Hartford, which are about 25 and 50 miles away, respectively. “Some people commute all the way to New York City,” Auresto says. “With the rise of hybrid schedules, living this far out has become much more palatable.” Midtown Manhattan is about 75 miles southwest of Sandy Hook. The closest international airport is Bradley International Airport, located about 56 miles northeast. Crime statistics for Sandy Hook are not readily available.
Written By
Amanda Boivin
Photography Contributed By
Augusto Abreu
Video By
Benjamin Rose
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Justin Bette,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Sandy Hook, CT sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Sandy Hook, CT over the last 12 months is $574,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Secluded Retreat with Modern Charm in Sandy Hook. Tucked near the end of a meandering country road, this beautifully renovated 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom raised ranch offers the perfect blend of privacy, style, and functionality. Set in a quiet and peaceful section of Sandy Hook, the home welcomes you with an open-concept main level featuring a crisp white kitchen, sleek finishes, and a spacious
Great 2 family home in Sandy Hook near the center. Main house has 4 bedroom, 3 on the 2nd fllor, 1 on the 3rd floor, beautiful updated Kitchen, Hard wood floors, Dinning room. Large living room. 1 bedroom separate home with Kitchen and Living room on the 1st and Bed/bath on the 2nd. Big fenced in rear yard. Great for kids. River frontage , dead end road. State parkland surrounds the home. Look at
Wonderful lakeside Lifestyle! Relax! Dappled View Of Lake Zoar. Level lawn, room for garden. Pleasant Central Air. Lower level living suite with full bath, private entrance to patio, peek-a view of the water. Enjoy Life! Walk to neighborhood playground. Rent out the Veteran's Hall for your party of 60. Easy to Lake Zoar Boat Launch. Savor the fabulous Southbury lifestyle. Excellent region 15
Welcome to 8 Stone Gate Drive. Set on a serene cul-de-sac surrounded by pastoral equestrian views, this charming 3 Bdrm/2.5 Bth Colonial with its lantern lined drive offers a perfect blend of classic charm & modern comfort. Nestled beyond stone walls & sweeping lawn set back from the road, this inviting home offers curb appeal yet enjoys privacy. Natural light illuminates the home. It's open
This adorable 3-bedroom home offers a perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Nestled on a level lot, the property features a clean, move-in-ready interior with hardwood floors, central air, and ceiling fans throughout. The attached 1-car garage adds to the home's appeal. Well Maintained mechanicals, Newer roof and durable vinyl siding, ensuring peace of mind for years to come. Whether you're a
Secluded Retreat with Modern Charm in Sandy Hook. Tucked near the end of a meandering country road, this beautifully renovated 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom raised ranch offers the perfect blend of privacy, style, and functionality. Set in a quiet and peaceful section of Sandy Hook, the home welcomes you with an open-concept main level featuring a crisp white kitchen, sleek finishes, and a spacious
This adorable 6 yr old house is located in one of Newtowns lake communities. Enjoy the private beach, for swimming,boating or fishing all with in walking distance from the house. This 2 bedrm newly built home has a large eat in kitchen, with island, tall white cab and stainless steel appliances, liv room with access to deck, upstairs 2 large bedrms and a laundry room. The house was built with 2x6
Charming 1 bedroom rental with private entrance. Apartment attached to the main house occupied by the owners. Chalet feeling with vaulted ceilings and beams. Plenty of hideaway storage areas throughout the apartment. Off street parking in a great commuter location. Stackable Washer/Dryer in the kitchen area. Tenant to provide credit report and references upon making rental offer. Pets will be
Recently renovated 2 bedroom apartment just steps from the center of Sandy Hook. Vaulted ceilings, extra large windows, in unit laundry, LVP flooring throughout, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, plus additional onsite storage available. Included are 2 off-street assigned parking spot. Available 7/1/25
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
