For a lot of people considering Fairfield, this is the question that decides everything: can I actually do the New York commute from here? The honest answer is yes, and Fairfield is unusually well set up for it. Here is the practical version. For the rest of the relocation picture, see my guide to moving to Fairfield.
Three stations in one town
Fairfield sits on Metro-North’s New Haven Line, and it has three stations: Fairfield Center, Fairfield Metro, and Southport. Having three options in a single town is rarer than it sounds along this line, and it gives you real flexibility on where you live and where you park.
How long the ride actually takes
From Fairfield Center or Fairfield Metro, an express run to Grand Central is roughly 75 to 80 minutes. From Southport, plan on closer to 90. A typical train runs a bit over an hour and a half door to door, and the fastest expresses are quicker. Trains come about every half hour through the peak, and more often at the height of rush, so you are not building your life around a single departure.
Which station fits you
Fairfield Metro is the newest of the three and has the most parking, which makes it the easy default if you drive to the train. Fairfield Center puts you right at the edge of downtown, so you can fold a walk to dinner or the shops into your commute home. Southport is the move if you are settling into that side of town and want a quieter platform within a short walk or drive. Where you end up living shapes which station becomes your daily one, so it is worth thinking about early.
When you would rather drive
Fairfield gives you both I-95 along the shoreline and the Merritt Parkway a little inland, so you have a choice depending on traffic and where you are headed. For New York itself, though, almost everyone I know lets the train do the work and uses the ride to read, sleep, or get a head start on the day.
Curious how the commute would actually feel from a particular part of town? I am happy to help you think it through. Reach me at alex@fairfieldbeachrealty.com.
Alex Kniffin, REALTOR, Century 21 AllPoints Realty. Confirm current schedules and fares at mta.info before you rely on them.
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