CT Town Among 50 Best Places To Live For Families, New Ranking Says

STAMFORD, CT — The best place in Connecticut to plant roots for a lifetime is Stamford, according to Fortune’s new ranking of the nation’s 50 Best Places to Live for Families.

In the analysis, Fortune said Stamford, which has a population of 136,666, offers a blend of both urban and suburban worlds, with residential neighborhoods and a thriving downtown.

Fortune highlighted the downtown area and its more than 80 restaurants and clubs, as well as stores, art galleries and theaters, like the historic Palace Theatre.

"Stamford has over 40 parks and recreational areas, with 19 miles of shoreline along the Long Island Sound. Cummings Park offers views of the water with walking trails, a beach, and a boardwalk, while Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens provides a tranquil escape among nature trails," Fortune added. "In North Stamford, you’ll find the historic Stamford Museum & Nature Center that blends art and history with nature; it even has a planetarium."

Fortune said its list reflects qualities people look for when they decide where to raise families and retire.

“A great place to live not only supports families in the present but also serves them in the long term. With a growing portion of Americans caring for both children and aging parents, more people want to live where multigenerational families can thrive,” the news outlet said.

Fortune said it analyzed more than 2,000 cities and nearly 200 data categories, which included livability, financial health, resources for aging adults, education and wellness.

The cities chosen, one for each state, are sustainable for both their youngest and oldest residents and include fast-growing suburbs and edge cities that find creative ways to improve people’s well-being, Fortune said.