[theguyfrompluto]

As you may know, NH (and no I mean New Haven) and Stamford have the best downtowns in the state hands down. However, which one is better. New Haven is currently the fastest growing city in CT with Stamford at a close second. Which is superior?

[Stylo]

Actually I think although New Haven outpaced Stamford from 2000-2010, in recent years Stamford has been growing at a faster clip - although it's close.

Are you talking about just downtowns or the cities overall?

I think they differ on so many different factors that it's really hard to compare.

New Haven wins on walkability, architecture, history, art/culture/museums/music, nightlife.
Stamford wins on economy/jobs, prosperity, overall low crime (whereas New Haven is only safe in certain areas, Stamford is mostly safe all around), schools.

New Haven has improved greatly in the past 10 years, but is behind Stamford in new development. Stamford had its downtown renaissance before New Haven did, and had a construction boom in the past 10 years. New Haven is just starting a construction boom.

They are close on food, but having eaten out extensively in both cities, I have to give the edge to New Haven on sheer volume and variety - and consistent quality. That's another effect of having so many colleges and hospitals nearby with disposable income and transient residents.

Stamford's big draw is proximity to NYC, New Haven's is being a college town.

This thread is going to get ugly in 3-2-....

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by theguyfrompluto

As you may know, NH (and no I mean New Haven) and Stamford have the best downtowns in the state hands down.

Can't say that i knew this.

Thanks for enlightening us.

[CTartist&musician]

I am from Stamford and I really like both cities and as a (petite) woman I give them a tie. Here is why. I would like New Haven better if I felt safer there. I like New Haven better when I am with my husband. I would not like to be in New Haven when alone though. I like Stamford better when I am alone in the downtown area because I feel safer, can go more places and thus have a better time there.

[mrgmrg]

New Haven. More character, more walkable, all the amenities of Yale, great restaurants and bars, cheaper. Stamford is okay, too, and it's certainly economically stronger.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by CTartist&musician

I am from Stamford and I really like both cities and as a (petite) woman I give them a tie. Here is why. I would like New Haven better if I felt safer there. I like New Haven better when I am with my husband. I would not like to be in New Haven when alone though. I like Stamford better when I am alone in the downtown area because I feel safer, can go more places and thus have a better time there.

When do you feel uncomfortable and where? I'm just asking because many tiny Yale undergrads wander the downtown/Yale/East Rock area at all hours. I see single women out all the time during my workday.

Later at night might be uncomfortable in low traffic areas.

[whome224]

I actually like Bridgeport the best.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by whome224

I actually like Bridgeport the best.

Black Rock ?

[professeurpablo]

I liked New Haven a lot back in the mid- to late-nineties when I lived there, and it was a lot rougher back then. The downtown area looks a lot better nowadays which is great to see

[AntonioR]

Originally Posted by Stylo

When do you feel uncomfortable and where? I'm just asking because many tiny Yale undergrads wander the downtown/Yale/East Rock area at all hours. I see single women out all the time during my workday.

Later at night might be uncomfortable in low traffic areas.

I think what makes some people feel less safe in New Haven than in Stamford is due to all the vagabonds (maybe many of them are homeless?) that can be seen in downtown NH, especially in and around the Green. They give the area an odd vibe. That's something that is not much of an issue in Stamford.

As for the OP asking which is superior, I would say current population/real estate/economic booming trends speak for themselves. Having said this, I foresee a so-so future for Stamford, because the city is getting crowded and developers are simply building more units every year. Downtown Stamford probably has the best road infrastructure to handle large volumes of traffic and they are already quite full during rush hour. The good thing is that many people that live in downtown tend to walk where ever they are going, but the traffic nightmare is going to get worst because downtown is not the only Stamford neighborhood that is going through a real estate boom.

Aside from the traffic issue, everything else in Stamford will probably get better. More well heeled people living in the area means that the restaurant scene will inevitable get better to meet demand, shopping will also get more exciting, cultural venues and events as well, maybe even the nightlife will improve.