New to Fairfield?  Here’s What You Need to Know | FairfieldMoms

 

With so many new residents moving to town, I was excited to partner with FairfieldMoms on the first “New to Fairfield” Zoom meet-up, where Amber & Jessica answered questions and provided tips on everything from registering for Kindergarten to reserving a beach bonfire.  

 

If you weren’t able to make it, fear not!  We’ve rounded up everything that was covered below.  Bookmark this page and consider it your starter kit to Fairfield living.  

 

Meeting New People in Town

Fairfield is a great town because of its residents, and we have no doubt that you’ll make some lifelong friends in no-time.  But starting out may require venturing outside of your comfort zone, with what we like to refer to as “mom dating.”  

 

What’s “mom dating,” you ask?  When you’re out and about around town, keep an eye out for other people with kids of similar ages and simply strike up a conversation!  You can also ask your neighbors or real estate broker to set you up with other locals that they think you’d get along with.  

 

Round out your “mom dating” with some other resources in town that bring new moms together in a more structured way:

  • Many local pediatrician’s offices (Willows & PHA) organize new mom’s groups.
  • Fit4Mom offers indoor & outdoor fitness classes for local moms, including many options for working out with your kids in tow.
  • While all three town librariesFairfield, Fairfield Woods, and Pequotare operating at a limited capacity due to Covid, they are a great place to meet people and offer amazing classes and activities for kids.
  • You’re sure to meet other local parents by attending activities with your child, like mommy & me gymnastics at GCA or swim lessons at the Fairfield YMCA, to name a few.  Check out FairfieldMoms activity page for even more ideas!
  • Attend an event organized by FairfieldMoms!  In the past, there’s been happy hours before the Shop & Stroll downtown and beach bonfires at Jennings.  Something is in the works for Easter 2021 too, so stay tuned!  FairfieldMoms promotes other local events on the site and Instagram, as well.

 

Schools: From Daycare to High School

Fairfield is known for its phenomenal schools, which was likely factored into your decision to move here.  FairfieldMoms offers a ton of resources on the site for public and private school, daycare, and preschool.

 

A couple of other key things worth knowing when you’re new to town:

 

  • Daycare: Check-out the daycare round-up here, and keep in mind that many people opt for a location that is close to where they live or work. 
  • Preschools: The preschool process in town is competitive, so it’s important to get your ducks in a row early.  Many offer open houses and tours, and registration starts about a year in advance.  Put yourself on as many wait-lists as you can to ensure a spot for your child!  
  • Kindergarten Registration: If your child is ready to start Kindergarten soon, be sure to check-out this post, which offers a step-by-step guide on the process.
  • Public Schools: Interested in learning more about your local elementary, middle, or high school?  Each school has its own dedicated website, so that is a great place to start.  Additionally, many of the schools have Facebook groups for parents, which you can join if you’re looking for the real inside scoop.

 

 

Looking for a babysitter for a date night or mom’s night out?  We recommend the following resourcesand it goes without saying that you should always do your due diligence before hiring someone online: 

 

Don’t Sleep on Fairfield’s Restaurants 

Speaking of mom’s night out…Next time you head out, make sure to take advantage of Fairfield’s amazing restaurant scene!  There are so many great options, you really can’t go wrong.  

 

A few favorites include Nordic Fish for sushi, Sakura in Westport for hibachi, Malibu Taco or Bodega for Mexican, and The Sinclair and The Chelsea for American.

 

With Covid, the town of Fairfield has allowed many restaurants to expand their outdoor seating, which is a great option for when the weather warms up. 

 

Get Familiar with Fairfield Rec

Whether you’re in search of activities for yourself or your kids, definitely spend some time getting familiar with Fairfield Parks & Recreation.  

 

When the weather starts to get nice, Fairfield Rec will organize a ton of great, Covid-friendly outdoor events for the whole family, like outdoor movie nights at Lake Mohegan, concerts at the beaches, or Peanut Butter Jelly Jam on the town green.  

 

Sports leagues for kids are reasonably priced, with some programs starting as early as three years old.  For kids, basketball, football, soccer, softball, lacrosse, and tennis teams are available.  

 

For adults, the town offers a cornhole league, several public golf courses, private tennis lessons, yoga at Penfield Pavilion, and much more.

 

This is just a sampling of everything that Fairfield Rec offers to town residents.  Make sure to spend some time on their site and follow them on Instagram to stay up-to-date on all of the amazing activities that Fairfield offersfor you and your family!

 

Take Advantage of the Great Outdoors

With all of the snow over the last week, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside with the family for sledding or ice skating.  Not sure where to go?  FairfieldMoms has rounded up the best options in towntake advantage of it soon, before the snow turns to slush! 

 

With the winter we’ve had, many of us are ready to fast forward to summer.  Fairfield is at its best in the summer, with five great beaches to explore.  If you do one thing this summer, be sure to get your beach sticker through Fairfield Rec, which will give you access to all of the town’s beaches and Lake Mohegan.  The town is pretty strict about checking stickers, so it is definitely worth the $25 investment.  

 

And be sure to mark your calendars for March 17, which is when bonfire reservations open for Jennings and Lake Mohegan.  There is no better way to spend a summer evening in Fairfield, than with friends and family around a beach bonfire! 

 

There are also a number of private clubs in town, which offer a variety of amenities from boat slips to tennis courts to swimming pools.  Each club has its own individual admissions process and fees, so it’s worth reaching out to the clubs directly, if you’re interested in learning more.  

 

If you’re a runner, there are several annual races in town that you won’t want to miss, including the Fairfield Half, Colony 5K, and Turkey TrotSoundRunner, the athletic shoe store in town, also organizes weekly runs.  Other great areas for running or walking, include St. Mary’s by the Sea in neighboring Black Rock, Trumbull Trails, Lake Mohegan, and Audubon.  

 

Visiting local farms is great for the whole family, and there are many in the surrounding areas that offer pumpkin and berry picking, produce stands, and petting zoos.  Check out FairfieldMoms for in-depth information on tree farms, pumpkins farms, and apple picking in the area.

 

The Last Word

We had such a blast organizing the “New to Fairfield” Zoom this week, and hope to organize additional sessions in the future.  If you haven’t yet, be sure to join the New to Fairfield Facebook group to ask questions and stay connected with other newbies in town.  

And as always, if you have any other questions or ideas, feel free to reach out to FairfieldMoms on Instagram or email.  Welcome to Fairfield!

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