New Haven, Connecticut is home to Yale University, and it certainly has a rich history as one of America’s oldest and well-known college towns. Beyond being home to Yale, however, it is also home to many diverse neighborhoods, each unique in its own way and full of friendly, and welcoming people. It is a beautiful, tree-filled city that sits on the north shore of Long Island Sound on New Haven Harbor, and it offers plenty to see and do for visitors and residents alike.
A Look at New Haven's History
New Haven has a long and interesting history, beginning in the 1600s when the English Puritans traveled to the area and founded New Haven Colony as part of their search for religious freedom. New Haven was officially incorporated as a city in 1784, and shortly after its founding, Yale was also founded, making the city an important center of education. It was also a thriving city of industry. Since its founding, the city has continued to grow steadily, and today, it remains a city proud of its rich history, yet with a forward-thinking, progressive mindset and a bright future ahead.
A Few Fun Facts About New Haven
Read more fun facts about New Haven here.
New Haven’s LGBTQ Community
New Haven is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Greater New Haven-Shoreline
PFLAG Greater New Haven-Shoreline is the New Haven area’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
The mission of the New Haven Pride Center is to provide a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ community in New Haven and to provide events, resources, advocacy, and opportunities for connection to the LGBTQ community living in the greater New Haven area.
What's the Weather Like in New Haven?
Those who live in New Haven can expect to experience all four distinct seasons each year. New Haven receives 48 inches of rain, on average, per year, and around 29 inches of snow. Highs in July typically reach around 83ºF, while lows in January can drop to around 21ºF. Spring and fall are typically mild and pleasant and are wonderful times to enjoy New Haven’s natural beauty.
Can’t-Miss Events in New Haven
Pride New Haven is New Haven’s annual LGBTQ pride celebration, and it’s one event that you won’t want to miss. This annual celebration includes family-friendly entertainment, plenty of vendors, speakers, excellent performances, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to meet friends and have fun!
New Haven Summer Jazz Festival
The New Haven Summer Jazz Festival is definitely a can’t-miss event in New Haven each year for those who love great music – and also for those who simply enjoy having fun. This festival brings hundreds of musicians from the area, and around the country, as well as great food, live performances, and plenty of opportunities to have a great time with friends and family.
The Best Neighborhoods in New Haven
Unlike some larger cities that tend to have one specific “gayborhood,” the LGBTQ community in New Haven is sprinkled throughout the city, and truly, anywhere in the city would make a wonderful place to call home.
One of the more expensive areas of town is East Rock, which is a more traditional neighborhood with tree-lined streets and large historic mansions. Prospect Hill is another such area and is home to the Yale Divinity School and Peabody Museum.
A neighborhood that is particularly popular with the arts-oriented portion of the LGBTQ community is Wooster Square, which is also the city's Little Italy. The area is home to tall Victorian and Gothic-style row houses and many well-known Italian restaurants.
The West part of town is more for nature lovers as it is closer to nature. Housing prices tend to be lowest in the West Rock and West River neighborhoods.
The median list price of homes currently for sale in the New Haven area is around $295,000.
Arts and Entertainment
The Shubert Theatre is a 1,600-seat theatre that has been delighting audiences in New Haven since it first opened its doors in 1914. The Shubert offers a wide variety of shows throughout the year, from Broadway musicals to stand-up comedy, concerts, dance performances, and more. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy an excellent performance for yourself!
The Long Wharf Theatre is a very popular nonprofit regional theater that features two stages and offers a variety of new plays & modern versions of classics. Long Wharf truly tries to live up to its mission statement, “Theatre is for everyone,” and does so very well. Truly, there’s a show for everyone to enjoy here!
Parks and Recreation
New Haven Green is a beautiful 16-acre park centered right in the heart of the city. When the city was first designed hundreds of years ago, it was created as a nine-square grid. Today, New Haven Green is the central square of that original nine-square design. It’s a wonderful place for walking, playing, picnicking, or just kicking back and relaxing on a beautiful day.
Lighthouse Point Park is a beautiful beachfront park on Long Island Sound with an 1840 lighthouse that is no longer open to the public, but still beautiful for visitors to look at while they enjoy all that the park has to offer. Park visitors can enjoy walking trails, a fishing pier, picnicking, activities on the water, a playground, and even the Lighthouse Point Carousel, a beautiful antique carousel housed in a unique historic building. It’s the perfect place to spend a beautiful New Haven afternoon.
New Haven Nightlife
168 York Street Café is a well-known, LGBTQ hangout located inside a rehabilitated old brownstone building. This laid-back bar serves strong drinks and great food and offers a welcoming atmosphere to enjoy a fun night out with friends.
Though not specifically an LGBTQ restaurant, this traditional, 19th century styled French restaurant is very popular with the LGBTQ community. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal in an elegant setting, and it should be on anyone's list of must-try nightspots in New Haven.
Contact a New Haven Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to New Haven, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in New Haven, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a New Haven gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
