Top Things to Know Before Moving to Bridgeport, CT

With a population of 144,399, Bridgeport is the biggest city in Connecticut. This seaport city is just 60 miles from Manhattan, making it a convenient relocation spot for professionals who work in the Big Apple.

You might be in the process of moving to Bridgeport CT, or you’re already there and looking for stuff to do. Regardless of your situation, this guide will help.

Bridgeport, CT Cost of Living

Living in Bridgeport doesn’t come cheaply. The cost of living is approximately 4% higher in Bridgeport than the national average, but this is relative. Compared to the rest of CT it’s 8% lower to live here.

Bridgeport’s rent prices are 23% higher than the capital, Hartford, but restaurant and grocery prices are 13-26% lower.

Median household income in the city is $45,441.

Real Estate Market

Bridgeport Neighborhoods

Bridgeport has many types of neighborhoods that can suit the budgetary needs of its residents. These communities range from average-priced homes to really expensive ones, depending on the part of Bridgeport you’re selecting to live in.

Black Rock

Situated right on the Long Island Sound, Black Rock is among the priciest neighborhoods in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Huntington Turnpike

Another well-to-do section of town is up by Huntington Turnpike. This neighborhood has median real estate prices of around $277,834 with an average rental price of $1,721.

Nearly half of all residents in the E Main St/Huntington Turnpike area are employed in executive or management positions.

Mill Hill

This community is relatively close to the Long Island Sound but at a fraction of the price of the Black Rock neighborhood. The media real estate price here is $138,912.

Approximately 1/3 of the population works in the manufacturing and labor fields.

Main St/Westfield Avenue

This neighborhood is in the city center of Bridgeport, making it extremely convenient for restaurant and bar-goers.

During the school year, this area is bustling with college students. Because of this, there is a high demand for rentals.

Old Town Road

Rents here are currently priced lower than 43% of Connecticut neighborhoods at $1,732 per month.

Old Town Road has one of the highest concentrations of college-educated people in the United States.

Harral Ave & Catherine St

Another centrally located neighborhood in Bridgeport, Harral Ave & Catherine St has median real estate prices at around $265,499.

Average prices are lower than 86% of Connecticut neighborhoods.

East Bridgeport

East Bridgeport sits across an inlet from the Golden Hill Historic District.

The average rental price is $1,655 per month and the median real estate price is $133,650.

Top Things to Do in Bridgeport, CT

Whether you live in the area or you’re visiting from out of town, Bridgeport has tons of fun activities you can enjoy.

Beardsley Zoo

It’s the only AZA-accredited zoo in Connecticut, open daily from 9AM-4PM. The Beardsley Zoo has many endangered species, including a Siberian tiger, and a tropical rainforest with several unique birds.

Tours can be completed in as little as 2.5 hours.

St. Mary’s By The Sea

For stellar views of the Long Island Sound and Black Rock Harbor, St. Mary’s-by-the-Sea has all the natural wonders and amenities for a relaxing afternoon out with friends and family.

It’s a convenient stroll down to local restaurants and other activities.

The Stress Factory Comedy Club

Come by and see some of the biggest New York City comedians at this renowned comedy club.

The Stress Factory is owned by the famous Vinne Brand, who operates clubs in New Brunswick, NJ, and Bridgeport.

There are tons of great food options to enjoy in between laughs too.

The Barnum Museum

This is the place to go if you want to learn about P.T. Barnum’s life and work. Barnum founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus which tours worldwide.

P.T. Barnum was born in Bethel, CT, and passed away in Bridgeport.

Fifth State Distillery

Looking for some award-winning craft spirits? Fifth State Distillery is Bridgeport’s #1 spot for the finest gins, vodkas, and whiskeys.

They have some creative blends including a “Chocolate Liqueur Bundle” and a “Simple Celery Vodka.”

Fayerweather Island Light

Also known as the Black Rock Harbor Light, this structure sits on the end of Fayerweather Island.

Over the course of 200 years, the lighthouse has seen it all. After becoming operational in 1808, a storm destroyed the tower structure in 1821 and the current stone lighthouse was built in 1823.

The lighthouse was given to Bridgeport in 1934 when it became part of Seaside Park.

Bridgeport’s Demographics

Bridgeport is 33% African-American, 20% White, and 20% Hispanic.

The home ownership rate is 41.8%.

Bridgeport, Connecticut Restaurants

Bridgeport has some great restaurants with just about any kind of food you could want.

Ralph ‘n’ Rich’s

For an authentic, classic Italian experience, Ralph ‘n’ Rich’s is the place to be. They have delicious food and live music with a variety of flavors for everyone’s pallet.

Lunch dishes include lobster tail, snow crab claw, and tasty oysters, while dinner options are all your favorite Italian specials (heavy on the pasta).

Hub and Spoke

If you’re looking for a cozy tavern environment, with amazing brunch, seafood, and sandwich options, Hub and Spoke is the place to check out. 

There are many delectable cocktails and wine options for everyone’s proclivities.

Mario the Baker

This popular eatery has some amazing specialty pizzas and other tasty entrees. You can enjoy some baked stuffed pastas, veal, and seafood here as well.

Captain’s Cove Seaport

The perfect spot for a summer outing with family and friends. Captain’s Cove Seaport has a 400-seat waterfront restaurant that sits on the scenic Black Rock Harbor.

Grab a delicious fish and chips meal, drink a cold beer, and enjoy summer in the harbor.

Top Schools & Universities in Bridgeport, CT

There are multiple educational opportunities in Bridgeport for those pursuing advanced degrees.

University of Bridgeport

Founded in 1927, the University of Bridgeport is a private institution that’s known for its flexible degree options.

It’s a great school for those looking to obtain a nursing degree.

Housatonic Community College

This public community college is part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system.

At an affordable price, it’s a good place to get your general education classes out of the way before transferring to a four-year school.

Registering a Car in Bridgeport

When you move to Connecticut, you have 60 days to transfer your vehicle registration to a Connecticut one. It is necessary to provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and pass an emissions test. When you go to the DMV to register your car, you will need a copy of this test, your out-of-state title, an application for registration, proof of insurance, and proper identification.

You will have 30 days after becoming an official resident of Connecticut to transfer your out-of-state license to Connecticut. When you make the change, you must present your out-of-state license, which must not have been expired for more than two years.

A vision test will be administered before you are issued your license; road tests may be waived at the discretion of the licensing agent. Bring multiple forms of identification, an application form, and an application fee, as well as a license fee of $72 or $84 dollars, depending on how long the license will be valid for.

If you are moving to Bridgeport, CT from out of state, you must head to your nearest Connecticut DMV office to get your car registered with the proper tags.

Getting your car registered in the state of Connecticut requires the following information:

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Successful Smog Test
• Your Out of State Title
• Application for Registration
• Proof of Insurance
• Proper ID to Show at DMV Office

Largest Employers in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Bridgeport is a prominent hub for many businesses in the tri-state area. Some of the largest employers include:

• St. Vincent’s Medical Center
• People’s United Bank
• Patni Computer Systems
• Lockheed Martin
• Unilever
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts
• AffinEco
• Bridgeport Hospital

The Subway sandwich chain of restaurants started in Bridgeport and was founded by Danbury, CT resident Peter Buck.

Manufacturing and trade, traditional pillars of the Bridgeport economy, are gradually being complemented by service-producing businesses, notably personal, business, and health care, as the city strives to diversify.

The military industry, which had been a significant element of the city’s economy for many years, was heavily damaged by layoffs in the early 1990s. However, wholesale and retail trade prosper due to the city’s strategic location as a deep-sea port, a crossroads of interstate highways, and a hub of railroad lines, and the city is now one of New England’s main financial centers.

While not located in Bridgeport, Fairfield County is home to a dozen Fortune 500 corporations, including General Electric, Pitney Bowes Inc., and Xerox Corporation. Creating additional job possibilities for local residents has been a priority for community leaders. 

Bridgeport Climate

Moving to Bridgeport will give you an ample taste of northeast U.S. weather, including four distinct seasons.

Winters are characterized by cold, lots of it. Lows hit 22 degrees in January and the region experiences up to 30 inches of snow each year.

Summer highs can get up to the mid-80s and are characterized by humidity and regular rainfall. Bridgeport gets an average of 47 inches of rainfall which is above the national average.

September and October are the most comfortable months with highs ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-70s and little humidity.

Transportation in Bridgeport

Bridgeport has ample public transportation options which make it a prime location for commuters. The Great Bridgeport Transit Authority, which offers bus service across the city and suburbs, should not be overlooked.

The city is also a prominent stop on the Metro-North Railroad, taking commuters to and from Penn Station in Manhattan in less than an hour.

The Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority provides local bus service to Bridgeport from other Connecticut cities including Trumbull, Stratford, Fairfield, Milford, and Shelton.

There’s also a regional airport outside of Bridgeport that’s technically in the town of Stratford.

Many Bridgeport residents utilize Amtrak and Metro-North commuter trains to get to work in New York City; these trains also serve Waterbury and New Haven.

During the week, a Shoreline East Service will connect to Bridgeport and Stamford, and will provide transportation to New London and Old Saybrook via New Haven.

You can make use of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry, which runs from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson, New York, across Long Island Sound.

This boat service also allows you to move your vehicle.

Your key highways are Interstate 95, U.S. 1, and Routes 130, 127, 25, and 8.

Bridgeport, CT Crime Rate

Bridgeport, Connecticut’s crime rate is slightly above the state average. Your chances of becoming a victim of a property crime are about 1 in 59 vs the state average which is 1 in 70.

Compared to the national crime averages, Bridgeport is safer than 24% of U.S. cities. The crime rate is 22.91 per 1,000 residents.

Should I Move to Bridgeport, CT?

If you’re looking for a Connecticut city that’s a hop skip and a jump to New York City, the Bridgeport area is your #1 destination.

With ample transportation options, getting in and out of town is a breeze. If you’ve been thinking about moving to Bridgeport for awhile, now may be the time to do it.

When it comes time to move to Bridgeport, CT, you need to hire a professional team of movers to help you with each step of the process.

Moving services are hard to come by when it comes to reliability and peace of mind. With RT Relocation, you will get everything you need from packing services to storage needs.

The team will help you schedule a move to your new location without extraneous expenses.

From local to long distance moving, commercial moving services and more, let RT Relocation take you to any part of the city.