New Haven, Connecticut

What It Is Like to Retire in New haven

New Haven is the 3rd largest city in Connecticut and the home of Yale University.  New Haven is a planned city laid out in a grid around a 16 acre "Green" - the heart of the downtown. Long troubled by urban blight and torn apart by I 95, the city is in resurgence thanks to a strong local economy and the efforts of Yale.   Many downtown buildings have been converted from commercial use to rental apartments and condominiums. The result is that young professionals and retirees are seeking out New Haven for an urban lifestyle. There are plenty of interesting restaurants and shops. Cultural offerings are top notch (many New York plays try out here).  Many different neighborhoods like Wooster Square offer proximity to the downtown without driving. There is a growing retiree contingent living in the city; some developers are working on projects to answer that need.

In addition to Yale, New Haven boasts Albertus Magnus College, Gateway Community College, and Southern Connecticut State College.

Where to Retire in New haven and Home Prices

There are active adult communities in New Haven (see link at top left).
The neighborhood has a lot to do with what you will pay. Condos in the nicest buildings are relative bargains compared to New York and other cities. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median selling price in the New Haven-Milford CT area was $314,400 in the 3rd quarter of 2021.

What Is Special about New haven

New Haven is a real city that can be exciting to live in.  Downtown there is a magnificent green surrounded by the Library, elegant churches, Yale's gothic campus, and office buildings.  Radiating from there are streets like Chapel with good shopping and exciting restaurants.  The city has come back and retirees are discovering it. Yale is a positive power for the community.  New Haven has a high walk score of 66.7 from walkscore.com

If you want a good insight into the new, New Haven, see this NYTimes article: "New Haven: Going from Crime to Coffee Shops"

What Is Not Special about New haven

Crime is high in many parts of New Haven.  People not used to an urban lifestyle might feel uncomfortable here. There are pockets of blight, and taxes are high. Real estate prices have been quite stagnant, particularly compared to the nearby suburbs.

Who Will Like Retirement in New haven

People looking for the urban retirement lifestyle will love it in New Haven. Restaurants and the arts are tops. When you are tired of New Haven, jump on the train and be in Manhattan in 1 1/2 hours. Or take a short drive to the beach.

Local Economy Is Driven by

Yale University and its 2 major hospitals are the principal drivers of the economy.  There is also a strong bio-tech base.

Climate and Physical Environment

New Haven is in the middle of the state on its southern coast (CT actually runs east and west as it goes away from NY).  New Haven Harbor is an important terminal for shipping.  Long Island Sound helps moderate temperatures year round.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

On a per capita basis New Haven arguably packs more culture per person than any other American city.  There is the Yale Repertory Theatre, the Shubert Theatre, and Long Wharf Theatre.  Yale Center for British Art  and the Peabody Museum of Natural History are just 2 of many museums. New Haven Symphony.  Untold cultural events emanating from Yale. And some significant architecture, both old and new. Some of the world's top architectural firms arein New Haven.  Sports fans can enjoy exciting Ivy League sports rivalries played out at the historic Yale Bowl.

Crime

Crime in New Haven is very high - almost two thirds higher than the national average.

Medical facilities

Yale New Haven Hospital is one of the world's leading teaching hospitals. St. Raphael's Hospital is a first class institution as well. Every type of medical specialty is in great supply in the New Haven area.

Transportation

New Haven is at the crossroads of both I 95 and I 91.  Tweed Airport is currently under-utilized, but offers very convenient service to Washington and Philadelphia.  Union Station offers both AMTRAK and Metro-North railroad service to the rest of the country.  New Haven has a high Walk Score of 66.7 from walkscore.com. 

Actually, there is no third airlines in Tweed New Haven Airport. New Haven has yet to seduce a third airline to cover Washington and Philadelphia. So, no, there is no services to Washington or Philadelphia. Conflicts over air pollution, noise pollution and runway extension are at odds with residents in Morris Cove. The community is split over (1) Do we want less pollution in Morris Cove? or (2) Bypass environmental harms and go for the money that New Haven needs to help the New Haven Economy.

Valuable Links

City of New Haven Visit New Haven Connecticut retirement guideWikipedia for New Haven