Stratford, Connecticut, 06614, is a quaint little town in Fairfield county that is nestled along the Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. This town is home to a close-knit community and is rich in history and natural beauty.
Stratford was founded by Puritans and settled in 1639 and has an amazing historical legacy in aviation, the military and theater. Stratford is bordered on the west by Bridgeport, to the north by Trumbull and Shelton, and on the east by Milford (across the Housatonic River). The total area of this town is 19.9 square miles with 17.6 square miles being land area and 2.3 being water. Stratford actually contains five islands, all in the Housatonic River. These include Carting Island, Peacock Island, Long Island, Pope’s Flat and Goose Island.
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One of the things you will hear from long time residents who have had family in town for generations is that this town is the same comfortable, down-to-earth bedroom community it has been for more than a century. Thoughtfully landscaped open spaces like Longbrook Park, with its stone bridge and stream, and the main green where free big band concerts are held in the gazebo. Many of its roads are divided down the center by tree-lined esplanades, and it’s a wonderful place to meander and enjoy the scenery.
In addition to the beautiful landscape, Stratford real estate offers a desirable location with close proximity to Bridgeport, New York City and Hartford. This is a fantastic location that is convenient to RT 8, RT 95 and the Merritt Parkway. Stratford Metro-North Station is a stop on the New Haven line, 59 miles east of Grand Central and it is approximately a 90 minute train ride into Manhattan. Stratford has the convenience of a city with the character of a small New England town. The area offers a quality of life that is hard to match, with close proximity to NYC.
If you’re a beach lover, you will have no shortage of options right here in town! Long Beach is a public beach with swimming and lifeguards. The central part of Long beach is a nature preserve that is considered to be some of the best nesting habitats in the state for piping plovers and least terns. Russian Beach is also local and is a great spot for swimming and fishing. Short Beach is a beautiful 30 acre park that sits at the mouth of the Housatonic River and offers picnic pavilions, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball, a handicapped accessible playground, a skateboard park, a lighted softball field, soccer field, baseball and lacrosse fields. Short beach has 1,000 feet of frontage with a concession stand, bathrooms, a deck and lifeguards The park is also home to Short Beach Golf Course. All of the beaches in Stratford are free to town residents.
The Town of Stratford is very fortunate indeed to be one of the few towns or cities in the nation to have its very own forest. Located at the end of Peters Lane, this beautiful 401 acre forest is part of the town’s excellent park system. Roosevelt Forest, a mixed deciduous forest is home to wetlands, ponds, campsites, playground and spectacular walking trails.
Stratford takes great pride in preserving its history and investing in the community. On July 1, 2014, Shakespeare Academy Stratford launched its inaugural season, and the White House welcomed young actors from around the country for the first time in decades. Now outfitted with comfy couches, its cupboards well stocked with tea and coffee, the White House is home to rehearsal and classroom spaces, a kitchen, an office, nooks and corners for studying lines. Shakespeare Academy brings together a small, eclectic, passionate ensemble of college-aged artists from around the U.S. and internationally for six weeks to train, study and perform in two Shakespeare productions in rotating repertory.
Of course, it’s no surprise that this town has an amazing 300 building historic district adjoining the train station with one of the greatest concentrations of 18th century houses in the state. This neighborhood overlooks the beautiful estuary of the Housatonic river with it’s 699 acres of preserved salt marsh. You don’t even have to be a history buff or a huge fan of architecture to appreciate the beauty of a lazy afternoon walk through the area.
At present time, there are nine elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. It is very clear that Stratford has invested in its young residents by maintaining top notch schools. The class sizes are kept to 14 students per teacher and the annual amount spent per student is higher than the national average. Stratford scores above average on state testing.
This is a town that has made it a priority to keep its residents active, exposed to art, culture, sports and also offers plenty of clean open space for recreational use. The location and amenities in this area might be what brings you here but the people and the old world charm will keep you here for years to come!
Last Updated on September 14, 2017 by Minna Reid