St. Mary’s-by-the-Sea in Black Rock

While prices are rising nationwide, Black Rock prices are still low, but may not stay that way. There are several things that are likely to impact Black Rock prices in the next few years:

1. Fairfield Metro train station – express trains to Manhattan, most of Black Rock is within walking distance to it, and there is ample day parking
2. Fox Street Pedestrian Bridge – in planning stages, not funded yet, 3-5 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 planned and in grades (K 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 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. 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, please look at the other posts on this site
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 see 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 – not many homes come on the market – there are only 17 single family homes at the present moment on the market and they range in price from $199,900 to $1,950,000. To get a daily update of new listings in Black Rock as they come on the market, sign up at http://gailrobinson.listingbook.com