Insights & Stories
The Living in New Haven Blog
Local insights, neighborhood spotlights, market updates, and everything you need to know about life in New Haven — straight from Robert.
Claire's Corner Copia: 50 Years of Vegetarian Cooking on Chapel Street in New Haven
A woman-owned vegetarian landmark at the corner of College and Chapel streets since 1975. Lithuanian Coffee Cake, lavender lemonade, and the warm heart of the Chapel Street corridor across from Yale's Old Campus.
Read More
Rohn Lawrence Annual All Star Tribute at West Rock Stream Academy
An afternoon of live jazz on the Great Lawn at West Rock Stream Academy, 311 Valley Street in New Haven, on September 27, benefiting the West Hills Community. Featuring Najee, Marion Meadows, Jay Rowe, Timmy Maia, and Chieli Menucci.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: Morris Cove and the East Shore, New Haven's Waterfront
Lighthouse Point Park and its 1916 carousel, the historic Five Mile Point Lighthouse, classic seaside cottages along Townsend Avenue, and a quiet beach-town pace minutes from downtown New Haven.
Read More
Escrow 101: What New Haven Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
What escrow means in a Connecticut home purchase, how it protects both sides, who holds the funds, and the typical New Haven timeline from deposit to closing.
Read More
How Much Does It Cost to Close on a Home in Connecticut?
A plain-language breakdown of typical Connecticut closing costs for buyers and sellers: appraisal, inspection, title, attorney fees, lender fees, transfer tax, and more.
Read More
How Home Appraisals Work in Connecticut
What a home appraisal is, why lenders require one, how appraisers value Connecticut homes, and what happens if the appraisal comes in low in a competitive market.
Read More
First-Time Homebuyer's Guide: Buying a Home in Connecticut
A warm, practical walkthrough for first-time buyers in Connecticut: budgeting, pre-approval, CHFA assistance, choosing a neighborhood, making an offer, and closing.
Read More
New Haven Real Estate Market Update: Fall 2026
Median sale prices around $410,000, tight inventory, and mortgage rates near 6.7%: the real New Haven, Connecticut real estate numbers for the fall market, and what they mean for buyers and sellers this season.
Read More
Bishop's Orchards in Guilford: A Local's Guide to Apple Picking
A 155-year-old family orchard twenty minutes from New Haven: pick your own apples and pumpkins this fall, grab warm cider donuts from the year-round farm market, and taste the fruit wines at this Guilford institution.
Read More
Book Signing with Judge Maurice B. Mosley at Kaiyden's Coffee Shop This Saturday
Meet Judge Maurice B. Mosley at Kaiyden's Coffee Shop in Wooster Square this Saturday, September 12, from 11 AM to 2 PM, as he signs copies of his memoir, Bishop Street to the Bench.
Read More
West Haven Old School Reunion Cookout: Food, Music, and Family at Painter's Park This Saturday
Celebrate old-school community at Painter's Park in West Haven this Saturday, September 5, from 12 PM with great food, a DJ, line dancing, games, and family fun.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: Beaver Hills, a Historic Family-Friendly Hidden Gem
National Register homes, the 20-acre Edgerton Park, a wonderfully diverse community, and a median home value around $411,000: a local's guide to Beaver Hills, two miles from downtown New Haven.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: Madison, Connecticut — Shoreline Living Minutes from New Haven
Hammonasset Beach State Park, a National Register town green, top-ranked schools, and a 30-minute Shore Line East train ride to New Haven. A local's guide to one of Connecticut's best beach towns.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: Guilford, Connecticut
Guilford's historic 16-acre Green, town beaches like Jacobs Beach, Bishop's Orchards, top-rated schools, and a fast Shore Line East train ride to New Haven. A local's guide to one of the shoreline's most charming towns.
Read More
6th Annual Bridgeport Jazz Festival: Free Live Jazz at Seaside Park Today
Head to the Seaside Park Bandshell in Bridgeport today from 12 to 8 PM for a free, all-ages afternoon of live jazz by the shore.
Read More
ESUMS: New Haven's STEM Magnet School for Grades 6-12
Engineering courses every year, a genuine University of New Haven partnership, and open admission through the School Choice lottery. A close look at the Engineering and Science University Magnet School for families considering living in New Haven.
Read More
Get Ready for the 35th Annual James Barber 5K Walk/Run/Bike
Join the community at Edgewood Park on September 26 to support the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Connecticut Chapter and Michelle's House.
Read More
Community, Coffee, and Website Development: A Meeting at Kaiyden's Cafe
Robert Clarke meets community leaders at Kaiyden's Cafe in Wooster Square over coffee to talk local events, local businesses, and the future of Living in New Haven.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: North Haven, Connecticut — Suburban Charm Minutes from New Haven
Top-rated schools, Peter's Rock Park hiking trails, the historic Town Green, and one of the best home values in the New Haven area — a local's guide to North Haven, Connecticut.
Read More
Louis' Lunch — The Birthplace of the Hamburger on Crown Street in New Haven
Discover the 1895 Crown Street institution that invented the hamburger sandwich. Four generations, original cast-iron broilers, and a strictly no-ketchup policy at this New Haven landmark.
Read More
Move-In Day at Yale and New Haven's Back-to-School Season 2026
Yale first-year students moved in August 23, New Haven Public Schools rally thousands for backpacks and supplies, and the city buzzes with late-summer energy — a local's guide to back-to-school season.
Read More
CitySeed Farmers Markets — A Local's Guide to New Haven's Best Farmers Markets
Three producer-only farmers markets in New Haven — Wooster Square on Saturdays, Downtown on Wednesdays, Edgewood Park on Sundays. Days, locations, vendors, and what to buy each season.
Read More
Commuting in New Haven, Connecticut — Trains, Buses, Bikes, and Getting Around
Metro-North to NYC, CTrail to Hartford, Shore Line East along the coast, and one of Connecticut's most walkable cities — a complete guide to commuting in and around New Haven for residents and relocators.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: Fair Haven — Historic Waterfront, Ferry Street Dining, and Authentic Community
Discover Fair Haven, New Haven's historic waterfront neighborhood — the Quinnipiac River, Ferry Street dining scene, affordable housing, and a community shaped by generations of maritime history.
Read More
Black Wall Street Festival 2026 — New Haven's Biggest Celebration of Black and Brown Business
A week-long festival highlighting Black and Brown business owners, creatives, and culture on the New Haven Green, August 9-16, 2026.
Read More
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana — New Haven's Legendary Wooster Street Institution
Discover the story of Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, the 1925 Wooster Street original that created New Haven-style apizza and the iconic white clam pie — a true New Haven landmark.
Read More
Arethusa Farm Dairy — Farm-to-Cone Ice Cream on Chapel Street in New Haven
Farm-fresh ice cream from the Litchfield hills, scooped on Chapel Street in downtown New Haven. A local's guide to Arethusa Farm Dairy and the city's best ice cream spots.
Read More
Atticus Bookstore Cafe — A Half-Century of Community at New Haven's Beloved Chapel Street Institution
For 50 years, Atticus Bookstore Cafe on Chapel Street has been a New Haven gathering place. Books, coffee, community, and the story of a family-owned downtown landmark.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: Branford, Connecticut — Shoreline Living at Its Finest
Thimble Islands, Stony Creek village, breweries, beaches, and excellent schools — Branford offers shoreline charm just 15 minutes from New Haven.
Read More
What Is Happening in the New Haven Housing Market in 2026?
A data-driven look at home values, sale prices, inventory, and what it all means for New Haven homeowners considering a sale.
Read More
Worthington Hooker School: An In-Depth Review of New Haven's Top-Rated Public School
Everything families need to know about Worthington Hooker School in East Rock, New Haven. Academics, test scores, the lottery process, and why it's the #1 ranked public school in the city.
Read More
Renting in New Haven: A Complete Guide for Movers and Relocators
Average rents, best neighborhoods for renters, public transit options, and practical tips for anyone moving to New Haven, Connecticut and looking for an apartment.
Read More
A Day at Middlebury College — Exploring Vermont's Charming Campus and Golf Course
Robert Clarke tours Middlebury College and the Ralph Myhre Golf Course in Vermont after the Coldwell Banker Agent Exchange.
Read More
Your Guide to Late Summer and Early Fall in New Haven, Connecticut
Farmers markets, fairs, festivals, apple picking, and peak foliage — a local's month-by-month guide to the best of late summer and autumn in the Elm City, from August through October 2026.
Read More
Robert Clarke at Coldwell Banker's Agent Exchange — Staying Ahead in Real Estate
Professional development, AI in real estate, and luxury market insights at the Coldwell Banker Agent Exchange in Stowe, Vermont.
Read More
The True Cost of Living in New Haven, Connecticut in 2026 — A Local's Breakdown
Housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and taxes — the real monthly numbers for living in New Haven, Connecticut in 2026, broken down neighborhood by neighborhood.
Read More
Shamar Wilson Dominates 82nd Annual Knickerbocker Golf Club Scholarship Tournament with Stunning 65
Twenty-three-year-old Shamar Wilson fires a blistering 65 to capture the championship at the Knickerbocker Golf Club Scholarship Tournament.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: Hamden, Connecticut — Sleeping Giant Country
Suburban comfort just north of New Haven — Sleeping Giant State Park, Whitney Avenue dining, Quinnipiac University, and some of the best home values in the region.
Read More
8th Annual Calcagni Golf Classic: A Day of Golf, Giving, and Community
Robert Clarke joins golfers and supporters at Wallingford Country Club to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven.
Read More
8th Annual Calcagni Golf Classic — Supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven
Robert Clarke participates in the 8th Annual Calcagni Golf Classic at Wallingford Country Club, benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven.
Read More
82nd Annual Knickerbocker Golf Club Scholarship Tournament
The oldest African American amateur golf club in Connecticut hosts its 82nd Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament at Alling Memorial Golf Club — raising funds for local students.
Read More
Al Fresco Dining in New Haven — Rooftop Bars, Patios & Beer Gardens This Summer
Rooftop bars with city views, hidden patios, and beer gardens — your local's guide to the best outdoor dining in New Haven, Connecticut this summer.
Read More
Hopkins School in New Haven, CT — A Deep Dive into One of America’s Oldest Schools
From its founding on the New Haven Green in 1660 to its 108-acre campus today, discover what makes Hopkins School one of the top private schools in Connecticut.
Read More
A Local’s Guide to New Haven’s Arts and Culture Scene
World-class museums, Broadway-bound theaters, legendary music venues, and galleries — explore the arts and culture that make New Haven, Connecticut a creative powerhouse.
Read More
Judges Cave – The Hidden History Behind New Haven’s Most Mysterious Landmark
The story of the regicides who fled to New Haven after the English Civil War — and the rock shelter that hid them on West Rock Ridge.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: Downtown New Haven
Historic nine squares, a Walk Score of 95, Yale's world-class museums, and a vibrant urban lifestyle — discover what makes Downtown New Haven one of Connecticut's most walkable neighborhoods.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: Wooster Square
Historic homes, legendary pizza on Wooster Street, the stunning Cherry Blossom Festival — Wooster Square is one of New Haven's most iconic neighborhoods.
Read More
5 Things People Wish They Knew Before Moving to Connecticut
Beautiful shoreline, top schools, and easy access to NYC and Boston — here are five things most newcomers wish they knew before making the move to Connecticut.
Read More
Mid-Summer Guide to Outdoor Fun in New Haven, CT
Beaches, splash pads, twilight concerts, farmers' markets, and hiking — a local's guide to the best outdoor activities in New Haven this summer.
Read More
Remembering Clarke's House & Window Cleaning Service — A New Haven Legacy
How one family's business kept New Haven shining for generations — and the story behind The Clarke Archive project.
Read More
Beloved Independent Shops That Make New Haven Special
From a 1929 Italian pastry shop to a 50-year-old bookstore café, discover the locally-owned businesses that give New Haven its distinctive character.
Read More
New Haven Real Estate Market Update — Summer 2026
Median prices, inventory trends, mortgage rates, and expert advice for buyers and sellers navigating New Haven's competitive housing market.
Read More
A Family's Guide to School Choices in New Haven, CT
Navigate New Haven's public, magnet, and private school options — from the School Choice lottery to top-rated schools like Hopkins and Foote.
Read More
Fuegos Artificiales en Connecticut 2026 — Guía Completa de Todos los Shows del Estado
La guía más completa de fuegos artificiales en Connecticut para el verano de 2026 — todos los shows desde East Rock Park hasta espectáculos por todo el estado.
Read More Connecticut Fireworks 2026 — Complete Guide to Every Show in the State
The most comprehensive guide to Connecticut fireworks in summer 2026 — every show from New Haven's East Rock Park to displays across the state.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: Westville
New Haven's creative heart — artsy, eclectic, and genuinely communal. Historic homes, Edgewood Park, and the shops and cafes of Whalley Avenue.
Read More
What's Happening for the 4th of July Weekend in New Haven
Fireworks, parades, pizza, beaches — your local's guide to making the most of Independence Day weekend in New Haven, Connecticut.
Read More
Why New Haven Is Connecticut's Best-Kept Secret
From world-class pizza to Yale's free art gallery, here's why this small city keeps earning big-city recognition — and why more people are choosing to call it home.
Read More
Neighborhood Spotlight: East Rock
Tree-lined streets, a beloved farmers' market, and a fierce sense of community — here's what makes East Rock one of New Haven's most sought-after neighborhoods.
Read More
Spring in New Haven: Cherry Blossoms, Markets & More
When the cherry trees bloom in Wooster Square and the farmers' markets open for the season, New Haven comes alive. A local's guide to the best of spring.
Read More