Darien

 

The beautiful coastal town of Darien, Connecticut may be one of the smallest towns on the Gold Coast, but it’s a vibrant and active place to live. With a stellar school system and plenty of kid-friendly activities, there’s no wonder why the town is continuously ranked as one of the best places in the nation to raise a family.

The land comprising present-day Darien was first cleared around 1641 and was more fully established by settlers in 1739. Darien boasts plenty of Revolutionary War-era history and remained a small, rural community for many years—at least until a railroad was built in the late 1800s. The town experienced a housing boom after the Civil War, with wealthy New Yorkers spending their summer days in mansions along Darien’s beautiful waterfront.

Darien is known for its natural beauty. From sprawling mansions on the water to historic wooded properties, there are plenty of beautiful places to call home. Many houses are restored and renovated Cape Cods and Colonials, and the area offers condominium options as well.

 

• Abundant beaches and parks
• Excellent school system
• Quick train ride to New York City 
• Strong community feel with lots of annual events 

Darien is a suburban coastal town with beautiful views of Long Island Sound. Ranked by Bloomberg as one of the top 10 richest places in the country, homes are extravagant, and resources are plentiful. But don’t be put off by New England stereotypes—Darien is welcoming to newcomers, with lots of social events at the local clubs and community events where you can spend time with new friends!

Darien is known for its younger population, lots of families, and a higher-than-average number of children per family. Manhattan commuters love calling Darien home due to its proximity to two Metro-North stations. Plenty of residents are New York City expats in search of a more suburban lifestyle, especially while raising a family.

 

With a rich local culture and lots of community engagement, Darien offers plenty of restaurants, stores, and other opportunities to gather with your family, neighbors, and friends.

Darien Sport Shop is a great place to shop for clothing for the whole family as well as all of the sports equipment you need. Family-owned and operated Palmer’s has a grocery store, a flower shop, and a bakery while grocery staples like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are nearby.

Sip on a glass of wine at Scena in Downtown Darien or enjoy dinner and drinks at upscale bistro Ten Twenty Post. Residents love hanging out at The Goose American Bistro & Bar or grabbing tacos and tequila at Bodega.

 

There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Darien. The town is home to eleven parks and two beaches, and opportunities to meet your neighbors are plentiful! With three different country clubs, boating and yacht clubs, a hunt club, and a private beach club, your social calendar will be jam-packed.

No matter what time of year it is, there’s always something fun happening in Darien. The town hosts Easter egg hunts, springtime regattas, summer beach celebrations, Halloween parades and haunted houses, and festive Christmas events. Darien holds a beloved annual Memorial Day parade, and residents love to stock up on produce at the Darien Farmers' Market.

Darien is known for its natural beauty and countless opportunities to spend time outside. At 22-acre Weed Beach, residents can swim, play tennis, or get snacks at the concession stand. The beautiful 8-acre Pear Tree Beach offers two beaches to enjoy and is home to the Darien Boat Club. Woodland Park and Cherry Lawn Park are great places to enjoy nature.

 

Darien is zoned to the Darien Public School District, which is comprised of many excellent schools. Darien High School is regularly ranked as one of the best STEM high schools in the nation, and students regularly score highly on the SAT. Nearby private school opportunities include:

 

• King School, PK-12, co-educational college preparatory school with a STEM focus