Part of the Greater New York metropolitan area and the fourth largest city in Connecticut, Stamford welcomes its residents and visitors with green parks, tall buildings and historic districts. It holds one of Connecticut's largest libraries and was home to the lesser-known Stamford witch trial in 1692.
If you're thinking about relocating to the "Lock City," follow this guide for helpful information and tips to make your transition seamless and easy. Start with getting a free quote here at Movers.com.
Stamford Climate
You'll find a blend of both humid continental and a mild subtropical climate in this city. From late May to mid October, the weather is often warm and humid. Highs reach above 80 degrees but can drop below 60 during the evening hours, with thunderstorms during the hottest months (June, July and August).
From late November through mid March, temperatures are much colder with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. The weather in the winter months can be inconsistent - one day can be mild in the mid 50s, and the next in the low 20s with snow and frigid wind. The snow averages approximately 30 inches annually in the city.
Stamford Neighborhoods
If you're looking for a place to settle down, Stamford has over 40 neighborhoods to choose from, including a downtown and two historic districts.
The Downtown area of the city is comprised of the Downtown Historic District, Atlantic Square, Landmark Square and Mill River Park. Downtown Stamford Historic District thrives economically, with major retailers, hotels, restaurants and other service businesses located in the area. In addition, major corporations, Fortune 500 companies, a shopping mall and the University of Connecticut all have home bases downtown.
Areas like Shippan and Shippan Point are ethnically diverse and include some notable local landmarks like Marion Castle, a waterfront mansion on the National Register of Historic Places. Shippan Point also has two yacht clubs and the Chesterfield Inn. For Greek Revival and Colonial Revival architecture, try Long Ridge Village Historic District, also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Registering Your Car
Upon moving to Connecticut, the state gives you 60 days to transfer your vehicle registration to a Connecticut one. Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and emissions test is required. You will need a copy of this test, your out-of-state title, an application for registration, proof of insurance and proper identification when going to the DMV to register your car.
Once you are an official resident of Connecticut, you will have 30 days to transfer your out-of-state license to Connecticut. You'll need to present your out-of-state license when you make the change, and it must not be expired for more than two years. Before you are issued your license, a vision test will be administered - road tests may be waived based on the licensing agent's discretion. You will have to bring multiple forms of identification, fill out an application form along with an application fee, and pay a license fee of $72 or $84 dollars, depending on how long the license will be valid for.
Stamford Schools
Stamford Public School System serves the city for public education. With 11 elementary schools, five middle schools and three high schools, Stamford Public School System enrolls over 16,000 students. There are four magnet elementary schools, and two magnet middle schools in the district, as well as one K-8 school.
The city touts a highly educated population, where nine out of 10 people are high school graduates, and almost half of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher. For higher education programs, University of Connecticut, Bridgeport University and Sacred Heart University are located in the city.
Stamford Employment
Despite the woes of the recent recession, Stamford's unemployment rate was 6.4 percent as of December 2012, below national average and boding well for the local job market. The city's top employers include the city of Stamford at approximately 3,000 employees, UBS at approximately 2,500 employees, and Stamford Town Center at approximately 2,500 employees. Many Fortune 500, Fortune 1000 and Courant 100 companies are headquartered in the city.
Stamford is a major retail center of Fairfield County as well, with a lot of its labor force in trade and wholesale. The average salary in the area is approximately $86,000, as a majority of the population hold jobs that require a bachelor's degree or higher.
Need a job in Stamford and don't know where to start? Take a look at fairfieldcountyjobs.com for latest postings and to upload your resume.
Living Costs in the City
The price tag to live in this New England city is relatively high, depending on where you're moving from, so be sure you have a salary that complements living in the area. In 2012, Samford was ranked seventh in a list of top 10 most expensive cities to live in among urban areas by COLI. The overall cost of living is approximately 64 percent higher than the national average, with utility costs almost 40 percent higher.
Homes in the Stamford average at approximately $350,000, while the average listing price of homes is in the $750,000 range. One-bedroom apartments start at approximately $1,200 and upwards depending on amenities and square footage of the unit, but average more in the $2,000 range. Utility costs vary on the size of your home and the usage, but expect to pay somewhere between $150-$300 per month. Don't forget about water, sewage, property taxes and other costs associated with owning a home, like association fees and homeowners insurance.
Stamford Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Stamford, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Connecticut. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Stamford Transportation
Stamford has mass transportation via bus, rail and air. The city is located on the main branch of the New Haven Line provided by the Metro-North Railroad, which runs to New York City. Commuter trains run through the city between New London and New York at the Grand Central Terminal, and the average commute is approximately 45 minutes. Amtrak also serves the city with routes between Boston and Washington D.C.
CT transit is responsible for the bus service in the city, with its main terminal on State Street, and runs through Darien, Norwalk, Greenwich, Port Chester and New York.
For main highways, you'll have limited access to Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway through Stamford. State highways like Route 1, 137, 104 and 106 serve the area, with Route 1 being the main highway during morning and evening commutes.
Culture & Contemporary Life
If you move to Stamford, you'll find a booming film industry thanks to a 30 percent tax credit for movie production, which was implemented in 2006. Some of the films shot in the area include Rachel Getting Married, College Road Trip, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and Confessions of a Shopaholic.
For recreation, you'll find two municipal golf courses and numerous parks that offer beaches, picnic spots, playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball and softball fields, public ice skating and volleyball courts.
For cultural experiences, the Stamford Museum and Nature Center houses works by Gutzon Borglum, creator and sculptor of Mount Rushmore, and Bow Tie Cinemas has two movie houses in the area. The "Alive @ Five" concert is hosted annually in Columbus Park, and the Stamford Symphony Orchestra conducts classical concerts and pop concerts at the Palace Theatre.
Stamford Relocation Tips
- If you'll be commuting to an area outside of the city for work, you'll have access to a few different options. Consider purchasing a monthly commuter pass instead of daily tickets - it could save you money.
- Stamford is just 30 miles from Manhattan, take a day trip and explore neighboring cities!
- The area is known for UConn Huskies basketball, go out and catch a game on campus.