Greenwich, CT

The southernmost town in the state of Connecticut, Greenwich is also one of the wealthiest. Greenwich is very close to New York City: Manhattan can be seen from Greenwich Point Beach, and the city is only a 37-minute train ride away. Many businesses, especially financial service companies, have moved to Greenwich from New York City. While the cost of living is expensive, with high property taxes and utilities, Greenwich is attractive for its healthy business community and safe neighborhoods.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

• Old Greenwich in the southeast corner of the city. This historic part of town is home to the Old Greenwich Railroad Station and the town's biggest beach. The train station has made this part of town a hub for commuters. The Old Greenwich First Light Festival begins the Christmas season every year with a holiday festival and extended shopping hours.
• Cos Cob, located on the Mianus River, has long been a community that supports the arts. The only national historic landmark in Greenwich is the Bush-Holley House Museum in Cos Cob. The home was once the center of a thriving colony of artists and writers and is maintained today by the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich.
• Riverside is between Cos Cob and Old Greenwich and has a wealth of expensive waterfront real estate. St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Riverside is famous for its annual nonprofit event, the "Fair for All."

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

For a small community, there is a bounty of business based in the town of Greenwich. Though hedge fund and financial companies are most prevalent, there is wide variety of industry. Finance and insurance are the most common industries in which people work, followed by education and the professional, scientific and technical service industries. The unemployment rate is far below the national average.

• Greenwich Hospital is a major employer in the city, as the acute care facility employs 1,821 workers. The hospital is associated with Yale University School of Medicine. Greenwich hospital has a Cancer Center, a Healthy Living Center and a Center for Health Aging.
• Blue Sky Studios, which created animated movies such as Ice Age, Robots and Horton Hears a Who!, is located in Greenwich. The company's CGI-computer animated technology has revolutionized the movie business and has also created advertising spots for clients such as Chrysler and General Foods.
• The nation's largest candle maker, Blyth Inc. and the world's largest water bottler, Nestle Waters North America, are both headquartered in Greenwich.

FOR VISITORS

One of the most attractive aspects of living in Greenwich is its four beaches off the Long Island Sound: Greenwich Point, Byram Beach, Island Beach and Great Captain's Island.

• Great Captain's Island is is a popular spot to visit with a wide array of species of birds nesting on the island and trails for hiking. Great Captain's Island Lighthouse is located on the east end of the island, though it is no longer in use. Tours are not currently available, but there has been talk of renovating the historic lighthouse. A ferry runs to the island in the summer, but serves Greenwich residents only.
• The Bruce Museum is a museum of art and natural history with exhibitions featuring both global and local topics. The Bruce has a number of exhibits exploring the surrounding area's history, including the Long Island Sound's formation, Connecticut River Valley dinosaur fossils, Northeastern Native American exhibit and more. In addition, there is a seasonal exchange of exhibits in the museum. Current exhibits include a collection of artistic World War II posters used to recruit American soldiers.
• The Dorothy Hamill Rink, named after the famous American figure skater, is open to residents for recreational ice-skating and community hockey leagues.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Greenwich Symphony Orchestra is going on its 51^st season and performs at the Greenwich High School Auditorium. The well-supported professional orchestra presents a children's concert as well as a number of classical shows and pop shows. GSO Guild, which supports the orchestra, also grants an annual scholarship to a gifted high school senior.
• Greenwich Choral Society performs extensively.
• Concerts in the Park:
• On Tuesdays in the summer, hour-long lunchtime concerts are held on the Greenwich Common.
• Binney Park is the home of the Wednesday Night Concert, featuring all kinds of music, including jazz, country and rock.
• On Island Beach, the Dixieland Jazz Band plays on the ferry off the Sound.
• Several larger concert productions are put on over the course of the summer in various locations.

LOCAL MEDIA

• Greenwich Time
• Greenwich Post
• Greenwich Citizen