Summer homes can be great vacation spots or sources for potential rental income. When considering a second home purchase, it's important to remember:
Property Appreciation: A summer home is an investment. Investigate the appreciation rates in each area. Neighborhood Scout is a good source.
Taxes: Fairfield County has some of the lowest property taxes in the tri-state area. Familiarize yourself with the rates in each area and see if they can fit into your budget.
The Lifestyle: Each area has its unique charm and culture. Below, read about each community and click on links for further details.
Darien
Catering to upscale buyers, Darien offers a wide selection of price ranges and architecture that ranges from grand houses overlooking the water, Colonials nestled on private lanes, new Shingle-styles, Contemporaries and Condos near a train. All around this small town of fourteen square miles there’s a luxury property that will exceed your wildest dreams.
Darien community leaders are especially proud of the town’s eleven parks and beautiful sandy beaches, Pear Tree Point Beach and Weed Beach.
Participation is key to living in Darien, whether it be through sports or volunteering at a charitable organization. Darien is a community that gives back as well as provides countless ways to get to know others in town. Friendly block parties, kid’s soccer games, parades, picnics on the beach, outdoor concert along with fundraisers and events at private clubs can literally fill everyone’s social calendar. Newcomers often blend in quickly.
New Canaan
Set apart by its grandly scaled estates with incredible privacy and elevated luxury, the town offers another key ingredient – acreage. Growth of hedge fund companies have, in very recent years, placed high demand on sophisticated residences tailored for larger families and entertaining. Several established farms from the early 1900s are now beautifully transformed into idyllic million-dollar homes set on exquisitely landscaped - large properties. Truly, it’s become increasingly more difficult to find this level of privacy and so close to New York City elsewhere.
With a seemingly endless list of things to do and see in and around this beautiful area, it's never hard to find a local spot for hiking, birdwatching, walking the dog and meditating by a pond. Grace Farms is a non-profit center with a $65 million award-winning complex sprawling on 80 pristine acres of meadows offering the arts, lectures and concerts. Waveny Park is a true gem and landmark in town featuring a castle, 300 acres, fields, ponds, trails and Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. original gardens. The Glass House is designated a National Historic Landmark and museum designed by noted Modern architect Philip Johnson.
Rowayton
Home to some of Long Island Sound’s finest sandy beaches—with a public Bayley Beach and two private beaches, Rowayton retains its quintessential charm as a boater’s haven and former oyster village. Five Mile River edges Rowayton; the Sound frames two sides and the quiet coves of Farm Creek are at its very heart. Residents enjoy poetic and picturesque water views — which is often why people gravitate to million dollar homes within this quiet yet exciting village.
The village feels like a Nantucket neighborhood of wonderfully maintained, charming and classic homes nestled on narrow and winding streets. Residents become so fond of this quaint boating and sailing community they seldom want to leave.
In summer, the postcard-worthy harbor near Pinkney Park is an idyllic setting for Shakespeare on the Sound performances, and there’s a community festival that brings the entire village out.
Westport
Long a haven for artists, thespians, entertainers and writers seeking respite from fast-paced city living, this upscale Fairfield County community encompasses 33.3 square miles and boasts a population of about 26,000. Residents take pride in the town’s reputation as a hub for the creative arts. Many entertainers and creative professionals call Westport home.
For the avid golfer and tennis player, Westport has superb offerings for its residents. Westport is home to the highly regarded Longshore Golf Club, which, in addition to its golf course and tennis courts, offers a beautiful club house, a fine restaurant, swimming pools, paddle tennis, a marina