[iypoon]

Stamford's mall is terrible.

[JayCT]

Stamford is expensive but not as expensive as Manhattan. Yes, the city would like to implement a light rail system but it is years (and a lot of money) from implementing it. The city is moving to improve pedestrian access throughout the city, but it must undo 40 years of planning for the automobile first. That will take a long time. Jay

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by blackcoral

I read that the city ordered in 2007 a feasibility study regarding the possibility of creating an inner-city light rail line . Any news ?

The most recent issue of FCBJ makes mention of a trolley that would presumably run from the train station on Washington Blvd.-Cold Spring Rd.-High Ridge Rd. up to the Exit 35 on-ramp of the Merritt.

Westfair Online - Stamford poised on the brink

[Bettylou22]

Fairfield County Jobs - jobs in Connecticut CT might help

[jjbradleynyc]

I live and work in Stamford--and own a home in the Bulls Head neighborhood. I've lived here since early 2006.
What I love about Stamford:
*A large city feeling downtown, with a small town feeling inside the city limits and north of the city.
*Location just 45 mins to NYC
*Location right on Long Island Sound
*Big box zoning downtown--where it should be
*Lack of many franchise chains like fast food everywhere, Wal Marts, big box stores everywhere
*Super safe city
*Only a couple of neighborhoods that are unsafe really
*Progressive leadership
*Growing City

What I don't like about Stamford:
*Expensive housing
*Rising property taxes
*Public Schools are not as good as they used to be (due to Josh Starr, current supt)
*Large tracts of vacant, razed land sitting for years and years undeveloped downtown

Stamford is a fantastic city for raising a family. It has a very small town vibe with strong community in different neighborhoods, while maintaining a vibrant and bustling/growing downtown. In the past couple of years, luxury housing is going up downtown, and new restaurants and stores are opening. I think in several years from now, downtown will be a bustling place--even late night.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

I don't live in Stamford, but I've been there a few times so here's me $0.02


- They have a nice downtown, yet they put the mall in there as part of it. IMO, a mall should be separate from a town center area. In my town, the WestFarms mall is a few good miles from the downtown area, and a reasonable distance from Park Rd and Elmwood Center, both of which have local storefronts and ethnic restaurants. Malls are about consumption, first and foremost, and are generally comprised of big box retailers and chain stores. Now, I know some of you are probably saying "but Mike, there are chain stores in today's traditional Main Street." Yes, there are, but even today on your local Main Street you have many independent businesses, as well as other things - town offices/centers of commerce, financial offices and firms, churches and synogauges (we even have a temple right between commercial properties), libraries and post offices, etc. It's more than a place to spend money.

I get your point about consumption, but big "box" stores work better downtown. Density and walkability add to their allure. Locating out in the suburbs increases traffic, sprawl, and eventual eyesores. At least, I think, if a mall or big box store is downtown and goes out of business, the density, location and traffic is there to make a new tenant/use out of the empty building, as opposed to a vacant store(s) sitting in the suburbs for a long time with no takers, and that massive parking lot--awful!!

[trooper638]

I grew up in Stamford, actually in Springdale. I lived there until I was 25 and still have family there. Stamford is a really diverse city, you have the down town area, that offers nightlife, movies, clubs, theater, plays, a college campus, excellent resturants and a lot of history, especially Atlantic St., and the south end. Glenbrook, Springdale, and Belltown offer middle income families homes moderatly priced and easy access to shopping which is within walking distance. The Cove area is a really nice beach community homes are pretty close to each other but if you like being near the beach,and also offers public docks at the marina. Shippan is a bit more expensive, and some properties have beautiful views of Long Island Sound, and Yacht Haven is located in Shippan. North Stamford for upper middle income and high income earners with larger homes and larger lots. This is more of a country atmosphere, where you will need to drive to the store.
What I love about Stamford is the diversity of it. The golfing in Stamford is great, especially at Sterling Farms. It offers being close to NYC which is about 44 mins by train or maybe an hour or so by car.
City government has improved the city with Danel Malloy as mayor. Taxes are not too bad.
What I don't like is that the school system was rated low based on goals set for students. Stamford Scored very low. Stamford is overall not as expensive as New York City. I'm proud to say I grew up there. By the way, Georges Haircutters closed in Springdale shopping center a few months ago, but he is still cutting hair at Belltown Barbers on Belltown Rd. I still go to see George for my haircuts.