Westport Homes for Sale

In the center of the Connecticut Gold Coast, New Yorkers originally settled into these suburbs to join authors, artists, and musicians for a more relaxed lifestyle. One of the wealthiest communities in the United States, Westport is community and family-focused while retaining that remote cottage feel. Financial services are the biggest employer, with Fortune 500 companies balanced with artists and celebrities.

The town is split by the Saugatuck River which provides a beautiful downtown backdrop for the busy center featuring major retailers and world-class dining and entertainment. 

 Population: 27,141

 Schools:

Elementary: Coleytown, King’s Highway, Green’s Farms, Saugatuck, and Long Lots Elementary

Middle Schools: Bedford, and Coleytown

High School: Staples High School

Number of Preschools: 11

Number of Private Schools: 2

 Colleges: There are no colleges or universities in town, but there are over 50 colleges within 50 miles including Yale, with the closest being Fairfield University.

 Library: The Westport Library was recently renovated to update the facility and features a 400-seat presentation area.

 Public Recreation:  Longshore Golf Course, Longshore Sailing Club, Longshore Pool, Longshore Tennis and several tennis facilities at local schools, Staples Community Pool, YMCA.

Private Clubs: Birchwood Country Club offers golf, tennis, and swimming and is situated along the Saugatuck River.

 Attractions:

Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center

Westport Arts Center

Westport Country Playhouse

Sherwood Island State Park

 Festivals:

Westport Fine Arts Festival

Norwalk Oyster Festival (neighboring)

 Neighborhoods: Saugatuck, Downtown Westport, Greens Farms, Old Hill, Coleytown, and Compo.

 

Westport, CT in Greater Detail

 Westport was discovered by New Yorkers as a perfect summer recreation spot generations ago. Cottages gave way to homes but the sparse urban space still feels like a relaxed vacation community. There are long-time residents in an aging population who enjoy the fine arts and culture available, as well as young families who see the value in privacy as well as community connection.

 

History

Westport was originally established as a farming community in the district now known as Green Farm. Originally known as Bankside, then Green’s Farm, and now, Westport, the community thrived on farming until the 1900s when it became a major shipping port for agriculture and growing industry. Also around this time artists began migrating to the area. Farming gave way to suburban pursuits in the twentieth century as New Yorkers were drawn to the beauty and relative proximity. With the New York visitors, so came the culture, upscale shopping, and quality of life.

The scattered homes throughout the town were focused on the water as it grew. One state beach and three public beaches attract tourists and locals. To preserve the safety and beauty of its shores, Cockenoe Island was purchased to prevent the construction of a nuclear facility. It is open to the public, left unspoiled and naturalized to attract seabirds like egrets, herons, terns, and cormorants.

 

Employment

Finance from New York followed the residents to Westport. It remains a top employment category, followed by insurance, professional, scientific, and technical services. Remote work or train travel is most common. Westport is one of the richest communities in the United States.

 

Transportation

Highway 1 delivers you right to the downtown core and I95 serves the beach area to the south. Many residents utilize the Metro-North Railroad line for work and to visit nearby Norwalk. The town is working to bring cycling and other transit options to the train stations in Greens Farms and Westport to further reduce road traffic. Of course, it is also an easy commute to NY city.

 

Notable Attractions

Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center – Wonderful meadows and streams invite you to walk the grounds where you will experience the very nature featured in the exhibit space and animal rescue center.

Westport Astronomical Society – Providing both talks on astronomy and cosmology and hands-on viewing most evenings, this volunteer-run attraction is open year-round.

Westport Arts Center – Exhibits displaying contemporary art are accompanied by musical performances throughout the year, readings, and introduction to art programs for children.

Downtown – a blend of New England charm mixed with world-class shopping and dining, with the Westport Country Playhouse only a few steps away. The Saugatuck River runs along one side of downtown.

Education

Both Middle and High Schools rank in the top 5 in the state. Private Schools include Greens Farms Academy, with a long history in the area, and the newer Pierrepont School.

 

Westport Recreational Activities and Parks

 

Entertainment

With a rich history and guidance under Paul Newman for several decades, the Westport Country Playhouse is nationally known for its quality theatre year-round. It has hosted Tony award-winning performances and attracted many accomplished stage actors.

Music is shared at the Levitt Pavilion, near the town center, hosting outdoor concerts almost nightly during the summer, and offers daytime entertainment for the younger crowd as well. Toquet Hall provides a great alcohol-free space for teens to showcase and enjoy music.

Parks and Recreation

With the heart of Westport set along the Saugatuck River and a beautiful coastal area, many water sports are available. The Longshore Sailing Club offers sailing and two local marinas welcome all sizes and styles of boats. Four beaches invite you to the shores of Long Island Sound including the local Compo, Burying Hill, Old Mill Beach, and Sherwood Island State Park, run by the state. Southport Beach is open to residents only during the high season. The Longshore Golf Course, pool, and tennis courts are also available in the Longshore Beach area. Tennis can also be found at Town Farms Tennis Courts and, outside of school hours, at Doubleday Tennis Courts and Staples High School Tennis Courts.

Baseball, football, running tracks, and multi-purpose turf fields are available at 12 parks. Compo Beach also features a skate park. Paddleboards and other watercraft are available along the Saugatuck River and beach areas. And indoor swimming is available at the Staples Community Pool. The Weston YMCA provides activities for the whole family. And the Wakeman Town Farm and Community Garden offer further outdoor space to get your hands dirty.

Birchwood Country Club is the only private club in the city limits.

Westport holds its history tenderly while it moves boldly into contemporary new trends in culture, lifestyle, and real estate development to serve its residents.