Fairfield, CT

With its many distinctive neighborhoods, pristine beaches, a vibrant downtown and numerous leisure activities, Fairfield is an ideal community for elegant living and convenient travel to nearby metropolitan areas like Westchester County, New York City, Stamford and Hartford.
Fairfield''s eight-mile coast on Long Island Sound is a summer playground for watersport enthusiasts and sun worshippers. There are four public beaches, a marina, boat basins, sailboat storage, mooring, and docking facilities.

Beautifully landscaped parks offer picnicking, bicycling, walking, hiking and nature study overlooking the Mill River. Residents may swim in freshwater at Lake Mohegan. In winter months, ice skaters glide across Owen Fish Park, Sturges Pond and Gould Manor Park. The community, which Money Magazine ranked the best place to live in the Northeast in 2006, has six public and private golf courses, five year-round clay tennis courts and dozens of asphalt courts at parks and schools.

An extensive and diverse range of housing is available. There are stately colonials dating from the late 1700s; Greek Revival, Federal and Victorian homes; as well as striking contemporaries and a variety of condominiums inland and by the sea. Many of the grand homes, churches and some well-preserved buildings are historic landmarks. The Pequot Library in Southport, one of three public libraries, maintains one of the nation''s most impressive collections of rare volumes and Americana.

The town''s schools are modern and thriving. Fairfield Continuing Education offers learning opportunities for adults, and there are many independent and parochial schools. Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University have arts and athletic programs for the community to enjoy, including theater, lectures and Division I intercollegiate sports.

The Metro North Railroad, Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway are all easily accessible.