"The Minuteman has become the symbol for Westport's independent spirit and will forever stand watch over our community. Blue is for the river that flows though the town and its history. Green is for the fertile land on which the town was founded, and the golden sky is symbolic of the wealth of community spirit and natural resources which make Westport such a special place." (- Miggs Burroughs, designer of Westport’s town flag)
Sitting on the Long Island Sound, Westport dates back to before the American Revolution. Settlers came in from the nearby civilizations of Weston, Fairfield, and Norwalk. Its name was originally the Village of Saugatuck, a name that refers to the river that runs through town.
Make no mistake, finding a home here will be difficult
"The Minuteman has become the symbol for Westport's independent spirit and will forever stand watch over our community. Blue is for the river that flows though the town and its history. Green is for the fertile land on which the town was founded, and the golden sky is symbolic of the wealth of community spirit and natural resources which make Westport such a special place." (- Miggs Burroughs, designer of Westport’s town flag)
Sitting on the Long Island Sound, Westport dates back to before the American Revolution. Settlers came in from the nearby civilizations of Weston, Fairfield, and Norwalk. Its name was originally the Village of Saugatuck, a name that refers to the river that runs through town.
Life in Westport
Make no mistake, finding a home here will be difficult. The town’s vacancy rate is less than 5 percent. If you want to own, consider looking into a townhome or duplex, which can be a bit cheaper. But if you’re set on moving to a town with colonial charm, Westport has plenty of it.
Westport residents enjoy a cool average temperature of 51 degrees, which is higher than the state average. It’s the effect of living on the water that is responsible for the more comfy temps. Average temperatures range from 30 degrees in January to 75 degrees in July, so if you really, really hate extremes, you just might like it here. Westport also sees more precipitation than the national average, coming in at 50.5 inches on average compared to the nation’s 39 inches. Peak months for precipitation are May and November. However, you’ll see much less snow here than the rest of Connecticut, as the area gets about 4 inches of snow on average compared to the state’s average of 11. That’s another effect of the nearby Long Island Sound.
Neighborhoods
Westport has several distinct neighborhoods. Here are a few to help you decide where to look:
Saugatuck: A name from the early years of the city’s history, it refers to the river. This neighborhood is located directly on the mouth of the river, and many properties are on the waterfront. It's also home to several restaurants and an annual Slice of Saugatuck festival that showcases local businesses and helps establish a neighborhood identity.
Green’s Farms: The oldest neighborhood in Westport, it is also located on the water and is bordered by Post Road to the north, Hillspoint Road to the west, and the Sasco Creek to the east. The neighborhood is currently largely residential with wide-open spaces. The Green’s Farms association works to keep it that way.
Cockenoe Island: As the name suggests, this is south of the coast of mainland Connecticut. It's only accessible by boat from Compo beach and Saugatuck.
Compo-Owenoke: This neighborhood is home to Compo Beach Park, Westport’s main beach.
Hunt Club: This is more rural in setting due to zoning laws. It's Ideal if you're seeking a more country feel for your next home.
