10 Reasons to Buy a Black Rock Connecticut Condo or Co-op in 2014

Prices are rising nationwide and Black Rock prices are increasing as well, but are still low compared to surrounding towns, such as Fairfield.  There are several things that are likely to positively impact Black Rock condo and co-op prices in the next few years:

1. Fairfield Metro train station – express trains of just over an hour to Manhattan, most of Black Rock is within walking distance to it, and there is ample day parking, New York City residents have discovered Black Rock and word is spreading
2. Fox Street Pedestrian Bridge – this is still in the planning stages and has not been funded yet, but a feasibility study by the State of Connecticut is underway, while it is estimated to be 2-4 years away from completion, this will connect the business are of Black Rock with the train station and shorten the walking distance for those living west of Brewster Street
3. Black Rock School – expansion in size is underway and in grades (Kindergarten through 8th grade), high parental involvement in this school makes for a quality education
4. St. Anne’s School – next door to Black Rock School for those who want a private school education (K through 8th grade)
5. Reputation as a “hip” area – Black Rock has been gaining a reputation among young professionals as the cool place to live and hang out, upscale coffee shops, cafes, art galleries restaurants, and music venues such as The Acoustic Café. For more information on local events please visit www.blackrockonline.org 
6. Natural beauty – for the past 30 years I’ve been taking a three mile walk along Gilman Street, Eames Boulevard, Grovers Avenue and most of that time I’m walking on a sidewalk looking at the water (tidal estuary or the Sound), most coastal areas are populated with expensive homes on the shorefront, there are very few where you can actually see the water as you walk along.  Black Rock has an amazing amount of public access to its shoreline, including a public boat ramp on Brewster Street and a sandy beach on Seabright Avenue.   Ash Creek is one of the few pristine tidal estuaries in an urban area. For more information please visit www.ashcreekassoc.org or look at the photos of Black Rock on www.facebook.com/blackrockconnecticut
7. Coastal lifestyle – we have a marina, public boat launch, and two yacht clubs. Many people launch their kayaks into the gentle waters of Ash Creek. For more information: Black Rock Marinas & Yacht Clubs
8. Elevated water views – most coastal areas along the Connecticut shoreline are flat near the water, but areas of elevation near the shoreline have become very desirable post-Irene and Sandy. Sasco Hill in Fairfield offers the same terrain as Grovers Hill in Black Rock, but prices there range from $3-5 million compared to $500,000-$2 million on Grovers Hill. Over 2,000 Fairfield homes were damaged in Hurricane Sandy, whereas very few homes in Black Rock were affected. In fact, one direct waterfront home went under deposit the day after Sandy and sold for $1.75 million. 
9. True community – there aren’t many areas where people identify with their community, but Black Rock is one of them. Black Rock has always had its own identity before it became a part of Fairfield and then Bridgeport. It was a colonial seaport and continues to view itself as a coastal village. Harborview Market is the prime gathering spot to catch up with one another over coffee, lunch, or weekend brunch. Black Rockers join together on common causes and there is always a meeting to attend or an event to go to. It’s a lively community with interesting people living lives with a purpose. The New York Times has published a number of articles on Black Rock in recent years: "Living in St Mary's-by-the-Sea, Connecticut: The Saltwater Smell Means You're Home" (May 23, 2010), “Living in Black Rock, Connecticut: A Community with Spirit and an Edge” (August 8, 2004), and “If You’re Thinking of Living In St. Mary’s-by-the-Sea, Connecticut: At Peninsula’s End, a Waterside Enclave” (June 9, 2002). Check out the Wikipedia entry on Black Rock Connecticut  .
10. Limited inventory – Black Rock is an area approximately one square mile in size.  To get a daily update of new condo and co-op listings in Black Rock as they come on the market, sign up at http://gailrobinson.listingbook.com

Below you will find links to information on each of the condo/co-op complexes in Black Rock:

Anchorage Condominums

Black Rock Garden Cooperatives

Bywatyr Condominiums

Fayerweather Towers

Pleasant Bay Condominiums

The Village at Black Rock