Home to the University of New Haven and several miles of coastline on the Long Island Sound, West Haven is a diverse, working-class New Haven suburb. "It's like the Queens [NYC borough] of Connecticut," says Jason Murphy, owner of Estate House Coffee in West Haven. "There's a bit of everything."
Although bordering New Haven and just 3 miles from Yale University, West Haven is an entity unto itself. The town attracts residents for many reasons: It has a train station with a direct line to New York City, housing prices lower than nearby suburbs like Orange, newly constructed public schools and, of course, a beautiful waterfront. This has lent to a unique community with people of all backgrounds: "You see $60,000 cars driving through here all the time, but there are people here who don't have as much either," Murphy says. "It's definitely a mix."
People are drawn to West Haven for its miles of coastline along the Long Island Sound.
West Haven is also known for being the home to the University of New Haven.
West Haven's train station provides residents a direct line to New York City.
West Haven has great waterfront properties, yet home prices are lower than in nearby areas.
1/4
Waterfront activities on the Long Island Sound
West Haven has over 3 miles of beach access on the Long Island Sound, the longest public shoreline in the state. Locals and visitors have several ways to enjoy the water. At Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary, birdwatchers can spot rare species like the Piping Plover and Black Skimmer, while Old Grove Park's bocce courts and horseshoe pits allow for games just steps away from the waterfront and pier. Savin Rock Park, home to an amusement park until 1966, is now a quiet waterfront with trails for biking and walking; once a year, the Savin Rock Festival honors the old amusement park with live music, carnival rides and games on the beach.
Sea Bluff Beach and Bradley Point Beach are two of several public beach accesses where visitors cool off in the chilly, deep blue water during the summer. "Growing up, this was our playground," says Wayne Hugendubel, Realtor at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and West Haven native.
Birdwatchers go to Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary in West Haven to spot rare species of birds.
Old Grove Park has bocce courts and horseshoe pits just steps away from the waterfront.
Savin Rock Park in West Haven is popular with hikers and cyclists.
Bradley Point Beach in West Haven is one of the many beaches available to residents.
1/4
From waterfront to walkable, homes cater to many needs
In 2024, the median price of a single-family home in West Haven was around $350,000. Neighborhoods like West Shore have coastal cottages facing the water, while subdivisions branching off downtown include two-story traditional homes built in the early 1900s. Single-family ranches and Cape Cods can also be found throughout the town, as well as condo buildings.
Hugendubel says that he's seen an influx of new residents, especially university students and faculty, who prioritize walkability to downtown and the university over waterfront views. "I would unknowingly show them homes down the water, thinking they'd like that. And they'd ask, 'Why are they bringing me here?' So, I learned," he says. "You're seeing more and more people wanting to be in the most walkable areas."
Although most of West Haven hasn't seen much new development, Allingtown and other neighborhoods around the University of New Haven are a notable exception. Mixed-use apartment developments catering to students have sprung up throughout the area. And the town has more to come: According to Murphy, the mayoral leadership has encouraged new improvements in West Haven, including renovating public schools, launching an anti-blight task force and securing grants to revitalize downtown.
You can find cottages facing the water in West Haven neighborhoods such as West Shore.
Close to downtown in West Haven, there are traditional homes built in the early 1900s.
This pretty Cape Cod house is located on the east side of West Haven.
Mixed-use apartment developments catering to students are available in West Haven.
1/4
International flavors along Campbell Avenue and waterfront dining
Downtown West Haven has international restaurants along Campbell Avenue like Jerri's Luncheonette, a casual Colombian diner, and bars like Boku Cocktail and Latin Dance. Downtown also has a variety of businesses including several banks, international grocery stores, barbershops and hair salons. For groceries, Stop & Shop is on Elm Street, and Walmart is on Saw Mill Road.
Weekends on the waterfront mean shoreside dining at local restaurants like Stowe's Seafood. Pirate and nautical-themed decor adorns the walls and patio, where diners enjoy fresh-caught dishes like lobster rolls, fried clams and shrimp. "This place is the bomb. They do tremendous business," Hugendubel says.
Jerri's Luncheonette, a casual Colombian diner, is located on Campbell Avenue in West Haven.
LaChat's Barbershop is one of the many businesses you will find in Downtown West Haven.
West Haven residents can get groceries from Walmart on Saw Mill Road.
Stowe's Seafood is great for waterfront dining in West Haven.
1/4
More events on the West Haven Green
The West Haven Apple Festival kicks off fall with carnival rides, face painting and treats on the town green. The Italian Heritage Celebration is another popular event on the green bringing residents of West Haven and surrounding towns together to sample Italian food, watch performances and play games. "They do try to celebrate different cultures and bring everybody together since it's so diverse here," Murphy says. He says that the town has made an effort to bring people together, and he hopes to continue seeing the town green be used more frequently.
New Haven has more entertainment nearby, and locals can cheer on the Yale Bulldogs football team at the Yale Bowl, about 3 miles north. There aren't any minor league teams in the area, but major league baseball is a popular pastime: "In New Haven and West Haven, you're in the middle zone between New York and Boston: half the people are Red Sox fans and half are Yankee fans," Hugendubel says.
Several events such as the Apple Festival are held on the West Haven Green in West Haven.
West Haven residents can visit the Wooster Square Farmers Market in nearby New Haven.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is a popular event in the Wooster Square neighborhood.
Locals can cheer on the Yale Bulldogs football team at the Yale Bowl, about 3 miles north.
1/4
Recently renovated West Haven schools
West Haven's School District earns an overall B-minus grade from Niche. The district has six elementary schools that all funnel into Carrigan Intermediate School, Harry M. Bailey Middle School and West Haven High School. Washington Elementary School is undergoing a complete reconstruction, with its new building expected to open in fall 2025. West Haven High School also underwent a total renovation that was completed in 2022. The $130 million project included a new media center, auditorium, cafeteria and STEM-focused classroom spaces, among other additions.
The University of New Haven is a private school with about 10,000 students in the town. According to Hugendubel, the university has increased diversity and growth in the town. "Any time the college grows, the town grows around it," he says.
Carrigan Intermediate School is for students grades 5 through 6 in West Haven.
Students then go on through the 8th grade to Harry M. Bailey Middle School.
West Haven High School is where students finish their education in West Haven.
The University of New Haven is a private school with about 10,000 students in West Haven.
1/4
Mild weather and preventing coastal flooding in West Haven
Like much of Connecticut, West Haven has four distinct seasons with cold winters. However, the town's coastal location helps maintain more moderate temperatures during more extreme months. "You hardly ever have to scrape snow off your car windshield out here," Hugendubel says. "And except for the dog days of August, there's always a cool breeze near the water."
About 22% of West Haven properties are at risk for flooding, but the town has taken strides to improve its coastal resilience. The city received $3.5 million in federal funds to elevate roads and dredge Old Field Creek, purchased some flood-prone homes through a floodplain easement program, and assembled the West Haven Shoreline Restoration Committee for a boardwalk resilience and eco-restoration project for land near Old Grove Park, among other measures. West Haven has a wastewater treatment plant off Beach Street. "There was a time you could smell it, but not anymore," Hugendubel says.
The West Haven Police Department reported 345 violent crimes, including simple assault, in 2023. Property crimes were more prevalent, with the department reporting 942 for the year. That's down from the 443 violent crimes and 1,146 property crimes reported in the town in 2022.
West Haven has four distinct seasons with cold winters.
There is always a cool breeze by the water in West Haven, even in the summer.
West Haven's coastal location helps maintain more moderate temperatures through the year
22% of West Haven properties are at risk for flooding, but mitigation efforts are ongoing..
1/4
Commuting via train and the VA Medical Center
The West Haven VA Medical Center and the University of New Haven are two major employers in West Haven, though, according to Hugendubel, people commute all over. West Haven opened its train station in 2013. This connected the town with the New Haven commuter line, which takes riders 80 miles southwest into New York City. Connecticut Transit also services local bus routes around town and to New Haven, less than 5 miles northeast. U.S. Route 1 and Interstate 95 go through West Haven and connect drivers across the region; Tweed New Haven Airport is a 7-mile drive via I-95.
The West Haven VA Medical Center is one of West Haven's major employers.
The West Haven train station connects the town with the New Haven commuter line.
Connecticut Transit provides bus service throughout West Haven and to New Haven..
Tweed New Haven Airport is a 7-mile drive from West Haven via I-95.
Raymond Malcolm has been a realtor for fifteen years. His career blossomed when he took a Floyd Wickman class. The class was called The Smart Program, also known as The Sweat Hog Program, which believes anyone can close 30 transactions a year, as an agent, with simple practices that don’t involve cold calling.
He averages 40 transactions a year, since 2007, and works with a wide range of different real estate clients from hold investors, flippers, and first-time buyers.
As a broker, his focus is to train realtors who need to close 30-plus transactions a year and provide outstanding service to the community.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
