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Milford, Connecticut
The first place one encounters when crossing the bridge from Fairfield County into New Haven County is Milford—one of the most accessible cities in the state.
The way Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway intersect here make it easy to get almost anywhere. "Easy access to Route 34 puts Yale, St. Raphael's, downtown New Haven, theaters and restaurants just minutes away. Route 8 offers access to the entire Valley. You can be in Westport in 15 minutes.
Nearly halfway between Hartford and New York, Milford is a happy meeting ground for spouses that work in different directions. A husband might work in White Plains or Stamford
and a wife up in Torrington or Hartford. There are few places where a couple can live and do that. Even New York City is just an easy 1 hour and 20 minutes away vie Metro North
train.
For a relatively small city with a population of just over 50,000, Milford's amenities are amazingly diverse.
The city boasts over 17 miles of shoreline, much of which is sandy beach punctuated by excellent boating facilities. Milford Harbor, which boasts three marinas and new transient boat slips is unbelievable compared to anything else on the Sound.
Five beaches boast lifeguard facilities; there is a state park with a beach and a 14-acre nature preserve on Charles Island rumored to still hold treasure buried by famous pirate
Captain Kidd.
At the New Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center, which encompasses 8.4 acres of barrier beach and 840 acres of salt marsh at the mouth of the Housatonic River, 300 of Connecticut's 399 known bird species have been spotted.
Milford has abundant facilities for the sports minded.
The city boasts 24 tennis courts , 24 playgrounds, eight parks, several community centers, and two golf courses: The Orchards, an affordable municipal golf course and The Great River Golf Club at Milford, designed by Tommy Fazio.
Milford's shopping opportunities are equally varied.
Westfield Shoppingtown/Connecticut Mall is located here. On Bridgeport Avenue, a large auto mall is convenient for car shoppers. There is even a quaint town center with an appealing selection of boutiques and specialty shops. Milford also boasts several theatres and an ice-skating rink. Over 2000 businesses thrive here, including major corporations like BIC, Shick, Subway, Pfizer and 15 different hotel chains. The city also has its own hospital, which was recently expanded.
Milford combines a small-town atmosphere with the conveniences of a city. The city has managed to keep firm hold of its historic roots and New England character ever since it
was established in 1639.
Its old-fashioned Colonial green—the second longest in al of New England—is still central to city life and hosts an endless parade of festivals and community events all year long—including tow "Meet the Artists and Artisans" arts and crafts fairs that have made the list of top 100 events in North America. Highlights of Milford's active calendar of events include a Sand Castle Contest sponsored by New Haven Savings Bank that draws hundreds of contestants each year; and the famed Oyster Festival, which is held the third Saturday of August and brings over 50,000 visitors to the town each summer.
The picturesque Duck Pond is another town landmark. A park-like area just a short walk from the town center, the Duck Pond is a respite for residents who want to relax during
their lunch hours, for older folks who enjoy a peaceful park bench and for children who come to feed the ducks.
It was Milford's unique blend of small-town charm and city amenities
that convinced Rena Plank to move here from Stamford and remain here selling real estate since 1961. In the past few years, nearly 2,400 people have followed in her footsteps.
The
town's affordable homes, many of which are priced tens of thousands less than in neighboring Fairfield County, attract many new residents. The homes are interesting, they are old, they
are new, they are along the water and up north, you can have an acre of land and wonderful Eisenhower Park.
But most exciting is that Milford's 17 miles of shorefront has been almost exclusively developed as residential housing. Here, one can still find some of Connecticut's most affordable waterfront and near-the water properties.
Among its over 21,000 residential dwellings, Milford buyers can find everything from condominiums to Colonials to Ranches and luxurious New Construction. The Milford Historic
Society preserves three of the town's earliest houses on Wharf Lane, an ancient street that ran fro the town dock to the Milford Green – and takes an active interest in the town's extensive
historic district.
Milford is not just a great place to live, it's a great place to put down roots.
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