Leaving New York doesn’t mean giving up the lifestyle you’ve worked hard to build. In fact, for many, it marks the beginning of a more balanced, spacious, and fulfilling chapter. Increasingly, New Yorkers are making the move across the border into Connecticut—and discovering that it offers a rare combination of financial benefits, exceptional schools, efficient commutes, and a lifestyle that blends sophistication with a true sense of calm.
Here’s a closer look at why this shift is more than a trend—it’s a smart, strategic move.
Tax Advantages: A Meaningful Shift in Your Bottom Line
Let’s start with what many consider the most compelling reason: taxes. In New York City, residents face a significant financial burden—up to 10.9% in state income tax and an additional 3.876% in city tax, totaling over 14% for top earners.
By contrast, Connecticut’s state income tax caps at 6.99%, and the state imposes no local or city income taxes. That’s not just a difference—it’s a game-changer. For many families and individuals relocating from NYC to towns like Greenwich, the savings are substantial. In a world where high-net-worth individuals are increasingly mindful of how and where their money moves, this shift makes financial—and lifestyle—sense.
The Commute: City Access, Suburban Ease
A common misconception about leaving the city is that you’re sacrificing convenience. But Fairfield County, and Greenwich in particular, was practically designed for the modern commuter. With Metro-North’s New Haven Line, you can reach Grand Central Terminal in under an hour, often faster than commuting from within the five boroughs.
Take Greenwich:
Express trains to Manhattan in under 50 minutes.
Multiple stations—Cos Cob, Riverside, Old Greenwich, and downtown Greenwich—offer neighborhood-level access and flexibility.
In short, you can still be part of the city’s rhythm, without the congestion, sirens, or sidewalk gridlock.
Greenwich: One Town, Many Lifestyles
What truly sets Greenwich apart is its diversity—not just in people, but in its neighborhoods. Each of its four distinct hamlets offers its own lifestyle, aesthetic, and community feel (each has its own elementary schools, library, post office, and even train station!).
Old Greenwich: A picturesque seaside village with a small-town feel, ideal for beach lovers and families seeking walkable charm. Home to the beloved Tod’s Point Beach, parks, playgrounds, and classic colonial homes.
Riverside: Known for quiet, tree-lined streets, exceptional public schools, and a strong sense of community. A favorite for those prioritizing space and waterfront access.
Cos Cob: Artistic and eclectic, with historic charm and a mix of architectural styles. Offers a vibrant yet laid-back environment with great train access and a growing foodie scene.
Downtown Greenwich (Central Greenwich): For those not quite ready to say goodbye to the energy of the city. Walkable, sophisticated, and rich in culture with fine dining, upscale shopping on the Avenue, dockside restaurants, and the world-class Bruce Museum. It’s cosmopolitan living with a coastal twist.
Whether you’re looking for a pied-à-terre, a weekend escape, or your forever family home, Greenwich offers a version of luxury living that aligns with every stage of life (and price point).
Education: Top-Tier, Public and Private
For families making the move, Connecticut’s academic reputation is a major draw. Public school systems in Greenwich, Darien, Westport, and New Canaan are consistently ranked among the best in the state—and in the country.
In Greenwich, students benefit from:
High-performing public schools with excellent college placement records.
A broad range of extracurricular offerings and academic tracks.
Access to top-tier private schools such as Brunswick, Greenwich Academy, Sacred Heart, Greenwich Country Day, Greens Farms Academy, and King School, all known for academic rigor, exceptional arts and athletics programs, and world-class college counseling.
For many, this move is not just about property—it’s about investing in their children’s future.
Quality of Life: Manhattan Proximity, New England Peace
There’s something to be said for waking up to birdsong instead of car horns. Life in Greenwich offers a serene contrast to the city, without sacrificing the excitement or convenience of urban living.
Imagine this:
Weekend farmers’ markets.
Coastal walks.
Tree-lined streets.
Seasonal festivals and community events.
All while keeping Broadway, Wall Street, and world-class dining within reach.
Greenwich is the rare kind of place where you can slow down without stepping back.
Final Word: Julie Knows Where to Go
If you’re considering making the move from New York to Connecticut, particularly to Greenwich, let someone who has helped countless clients make that exact transition guide the way.
With over 25 years of local experience, deep ties to the community, and an eye for both luxury and lifestyle, Julie Grace Burke brings more than just market knowledge—she brings strategy, perspective, and results.
Whether you’re in search of tax relief, better schools, more space, or a new chapter altogether, Julie knows how to help you cross the border with confidence—and land exactly where you belong.
When it comes to luxury real estate, what you don’t see might just be the most exciting part. Enter pocket listings—exclusive, off-market properties that never hit the MLS. These quiet, high-end gems are often reserved for a select group of buyers, and navigating this discreet market requires serious insider knowledge.
Luckily, Julie Grace Burke knows pocket listings inside and out. With years of experience and deep local connections, Jule and her team have become go-to experts for those looking to buy or sell off-market properties. She recently shared some of her expertise with us, giving an inside look at how these exclusive deals work—and why they matter more than ever in today’s competitive real estate landscape.
Stay tuned for more expert tips from Julie coming soon!
What exactly is a pocket listing, and how does it differ from traditional listings?
A pocket listing – otherwise known as a private listing or off-market listing – is a property that a seller is marketing very quietly through their agent (or on rare occasion by themselves – though I certainly don’t recommend that approach!) without putting it on the MLS. Zillow or any other public facing listing aggregators
Why do some sellers choose to list their homes off-market rather than on the MLS?
Privacy: High-profile sellers or those who don’t want a lot of public attention may prefer to keep their sale discreet.
Exclusive Buyers: Some sellers want to limit showings to serious, qualified buyers.
Market Testing: A seller might use a pocket listing to gauge interest before officially listing the home.
How prevalent are pocket listings in the Greenwich real estate market?
We are increasingly finding that sellers are interested in taking advantage of the opportunity to control the traffic coming through the door of their home, and buyers are willing to pay a (reasonable) premium in order to secure a property and “keep it off the market.” Tolerance for bidding wars and “highest & best” deadlines has waned dramatically as buyers feel defeated and sellers, at times, simply overwhelmed. Last year approximately 20% of all home sales were off-market (and those are the ones we were able to sniff out, so I suspect that number may even be higher…).
Do you find that pocket listings sell faster or for higher prices compared to publicly listed properties?
To be perfectly honest, May Burke from the COMPASS Rye office said it best: in almost every case there was a winner and a loser, but you will honestly never know which was which!
In this market which is characterized by a total dearth of inventory, any and all properly priced listings will sell. Did the buyer get a great deal? Hard to say. Did the seller come away with a bonus? No one knows. One thing is for sure – except in the rarest of circumstances, without fully exposing a property to the marketplace and engaging in the fair and open “auction” which is really what a home sale entails, there is no way of knowing for sure exactly what the fair market value truly is or was.
What are the advantages and potential downsides of pocket listings for sellers?
I think the potential downside is the same for both sellers & buyers – you will never really know if the property fetched the precise number that the market was willing to bear since you didn’t truly expose it to the maximum number of potential buyers.
How do buyers gain access to exclusive pocket listings, and what strategies should they use?
The first step is finding excellent representation. It is highly unlikely that a buyer will find out about any pocket listings on their own. In general, many agents may have an opportunity to find out about private offerings within their own firm, but in working with a truly top agent in any given community (I would consider that to be landing in perhaps the top 5-10% of all licensed agents on a dollar volume basis, as a guidepost) your opportunity expands. Many sellers keep their listings quiet as they only want qualified and serious buyers coming through with local agents who have proven that they can seamlessly and expeditiously close a deal. These top agents will be sure that peer agents across other brokerages are informed and can help facilitate a smooth transaction.
Along these lines, one of the simplest ways for buyers to gain access to a variety of “quiet” listings is to search exclusively through the COMPASS web site which features hundreds of COMPASS Private Exclusives. Working with a COMPASS agent will give a buyer access to all of these beautiful properties. COMPASS is the #1 brokerage in the country, and as it is wholly owned and not franchised, we are all under the same collaborative umbrella. Most of our agents (including me!) are now starting out their listings as a “Private Exclusive” on the COMPASS platform, which exposes the property only to COMPASS agents – but don’t worry, we have over 33,000 of them – the most in the country! Not only are COMPASS agents seeing the private listings in their local area, but we can see Private Exclusives anywhere in the country…Palm Beach, Aspen, Boston…you name it. By working with a COMPASS agent, you can, too.
How do you leverage your network to connect buyers with pocket listings?
See above!
The single most important consideration here is to understand the reputation of your agent among their peers. Are they widely respected, considered to be ethical, honest and open communicators, capable, flexible, and easy to work with? On several occasions, for example, I have emerged victorious from a multiple bid situation where the offer submitted by my buyers was not the highest dollar amount, but the listing broker(s) know that I can be relied on to get the deal done as quickly and painlessly as possible by working in a collaborative manner. Smart agents know that “winning” is not solely about the offer, but about the offer that is most likely to close under the terms that are most attractive to the sellers.
“Knowing how you want to live is the first step toward knowing where.” This is the Fite Way.
In the world of luxury real estate, many professionals possess the skills to listen attentively, understand their clients’ needs, and match them with the right properties. However, the truly exceptional advisors—those who go beyond expectations—offer something more. Nadine Fite is one of those rare professionals.
A Unique Perspective on Luxury Real Estate
Clients who have worked with Nadine Fite quickly recognize that she brings a different level of expertise to the table. Her impressive background spans decades of experience in strategy, marketing, technology, and business development for some of the world’s most influential Fortune 50 companies, including Deloitte, Salomon Brothers, and American Express. This unparalleled foundation equips Nadine with the business acumen, analytical skills, and strategic insight needed to navigate the high-stakes world of luxury real estate.
Expertise That Sets Her Apart
For buyers investing in Florida’s luxury market or for longtime property owners looking to maximize their assets, Nadine is more than a real estate advisor—she is a trusted resource. Her deep understanding of the nuances of the Palm Beach market extends beyond listings and transactions. She provides guidance on tax advantages, land use standards, construction regulations, and the subtleties of each neighborhood. In Palm Beach, ZIP codes don’t define communities—the people and amenities do. Nadine understands this better than anyone.
The Journey from Wall Street to Palm Beach
Nadine’s journey to real estate success is rooted in a career that began on Wall Street. She later co-founded The Fite Group Luxury Homes, where she served as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Under her leadership, the firm grew into the #1 luxury brokerage in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, achieving over $10 billion in sales. Eventually, she led The Fite Group to a successful acquisition by one of the nation’s top real estate companies.
Today, Nadine continues to set the bar for excellence as part of One Sotheby’s International Realty, where she remains committed to helping clients navigate Palm Beach’s prestigious real estate landscape with confidence and clarity.
More Than a Transaction—A Legacy
Whether buying or selling, working with Nadine Fite is an investment in your lifestyle, your family’s future, and the legacy you aim to create. Her approach isn’t just about finding a home—it’s about helping clients live Palm Beach in a way that aligns with their vision and aspirations.
What Clients Say
“Nadine helped us see beyond the listings. She understood the lifestyle we were looking for and guided us through the nuances of each community with insight and care. Her deep market knowledge and financial perspective helped us evaluate every option with confidence — and negotiate strategically when it mattered most. We felt supported and empowered from start to finish.”
Nadine’s reputation speaks for itself, with countless satisfied clients who appreciate her dedication, market insight, and commitment to excellence.
The Fite Way: A Real Estate Experience Like No Other
At the heart of Nadine Fite’s approach is the belief that luxury real estate is more than a transaction—it’s a lifestyle choice. Her ability to connect with clients, anticipate their needs, and guide them seamlessly through the process is what sets her apart in the Palm Beach market.
For those looking to make their next move in Palm Beach, Nadine Fite is the advisor who understands that how you want to live is the foundation for where you want to be.
Navigating the Greenwich real estate market can be a complex endeavor, but with the right guidance, it becomes an exciting journey. Enter Julie Grace Burke, a seasoned real estate broker with Compass, whose deep-rooted connection to the Greenwich community and extensive industry expertise make her an invaluable ally for both buyers and sellers.
A Lifelong Connection to Greenwich
Julie isn’t just a real estate professional; she’s a lifelong resident of the area. This personal connection provides her with an intimate understanding of the community’s nuances—more than just neighborhoods, Julie knows the Greenwich Lifestyle, because she has lived it. Her clients often highlight her unparalleled knowledge of area, noting that “Julie’s extensive encyclopedic knowledge of Greenwich, the schools, and local happenings is unparalleled!”
Professional Excellence and Client Dedication
Julie’s commitment to her clients is evident in her approach to real estate. She offers a comprehensive suite of services, including buyer representation, listing services, relocation assistance, downsizing strategies, design, build and renovation guidance. She is a fierce negotiator, knowing precisely when to be aggressive and when to employ a lighter touch. Her clients describe her as “a dream broker” who brings “much-needed humor and extensive experience to an otherwise daunting process.”
Team JGB: A Collaborative Approach
At the helm of Team JGB at Compass, Julie leads a dynamic group of professionals who combine local expertise with innovative strategies to create a seamless real estate experience. The team’s collaborative approach ensures that clients receive personalized attention tailored to their unique needs.
Liz Levison grew up in Greenwich before attending Wake Forest University and then starting her career in New York City. After a decade of hardnose negotiations and marketing, she returned to Greenwich where she recently welcomed her daughter Florence. Now, Liz helps clients with everything from starter “for-now” rentals to multi-million-dollar “forever” homes. #LeaveItToLiz
Craig Gibson Jr, also with deep roots in the Greenwich area, just joined TeamJGB as their client relations manager. Combining years of experience working with luxury fashion retailers in Manhattan, he brings a discerning eye to the bespoke real estate of Greenwich. #CountOnCraig
#JulieKnows: Sharing Insights and Expertise
Through her online journal series titled “Julie Knows,” Julie shares valuable insights on various aspects of the Greenwich real estate market. Topics range from timing the market and handling multiple bids to understanding off-market sales and the intricacies of living on the water. This resource serves as a testament to her deep understanding of the market and her dedication to educating her clients.
Community Involvement and Cultural Engagement
Beyond her professional endeavors, Julie is deeply involved in the Greenwich community. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Greenwich Land Trust and is a benefactor of the Bruce Museum. Her active participation in local cultural and environmental initiatives underscores her commitment to the community she serves.
Client Testimonials: A Reflection of Trust and Success
The trust and satisfaction of Julie’s clients are evident in their testimonials. One client shares, “From the moment my husband and I met Julie, we were deeply appreciative of her generous spirit and honest approach to real estate.” Another notes, “Julie is the consummate real estate professional.”
Connect with Julie
For those looking to navigate the Greenwich real estate market with confidence, Julie Grace Burke offers unparalleled expertise and a genuine passion for helping clients achieve their goals. To learn more or to connect with Julie, visit her website at teamjgb.com or reach out via email at jgb@compass.com.
In the ever-evolving world of real estate, having a knowledgeable and dedicated professional like Julie by your side can make all the difference. With her deep community ties, professional excellence, and a client-first approach, it’s clear why #JulieKnowsGreenwich.
Greenwich, Connecticut, known for its picturesque landscapes and affluent neighborhoods, has witnessed a remarkable surge in real estate activity over the past few years. At the forefront of this dynamic market is Team JGB, led by the experienced and knowledgeable real estate professional, Julie Grace Burke.
Navigating Greenwich with Julie Grace Burke: A Local Expert
One of the key factors that set Team JGB apart is Julie Grace Burke’s deep understanding of the Greenwich community. With an intimate knowledge of the local neighborhoods, schools, and amenities, Julie brings a unique advantage to her clients. Having been an active member of the Greenwich community for years, she not only understands the real estate market but also the lifestyle and preferences of those looking to make Greenwich their home.
A Track Record of Success: Julie Grace Burke’s Sales in the Past 5 Years
Team JGB’s success in the Greenwich real estate market is reflected in Julie Grace Burke’s impressive track record of sales over the past five years. Julie’s dedication and expertise have led to the successful transactions of numerous properties, ranging from charming family homes to luxurious estates. Her keen understanding of market trends, pricing strategies, and negotiation skills make her a sought-after real estate professional in Greenwich.
Whether it’s helping families find their dream homes, guiding investors through strategic property acquisitions, or assisting sellers in optimizing their listings, Julie Grace Burke’s commitment to excellence is evident in every transaction. The testimonials from satisfied clients speak volumes about the quality of service provided by Team JGB.
Client-Centric Approach: Building Relationships Beyond Transactions
Beyond the numbers and sales figures, what truly sets Team JGB apart is their client-centric approach. Julie Grace Burke prioritizes building lasting relationships with her clients, understanding their unique needs, and delivering personalized solutions. This commitment to client satisfaction has resulted in a strong referral network and repeat business, affirming the trust that clients place in Team JGB.
In conclusion, Team JGB, led by the seasoned real estate professional Julie Grace Burke, stands as a beacon of success in the Greenwich real estate market. With a profound knowledge of the local community, a stellar sales record over the past five years, and a client-centric philosophy, Julie and her team continue to shape the real estate landscape in Greenwich, Connecticut. Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, Team JGB is undoubtedly a trusted partner on your real estate journey in this prestigious community. For more information or to contact Julie, visit Team JGB’s website.
Our Blog sponsor Leslie Corcoran shared this fabulous new listing with me this weekend and I am dying to share it with you. What a gem…
A ravishing recently refreshed Nantucket-style colonial, newly constructed in 2000 by Greenwich architect John Downs, boasts a lush, flat landscape and a spectacular 60′ X 40′ elevated outdoor multi-sport court making you feel like you’re on vacation year-round. The colonnaded blue-stone wrap-around porch offers endless opportunities for all-weather, all-season entertaining. Sited on a pin-drop quiet street in the coveted Bronxville school district, this 5-bedroom stunner is minutes to Bronxville Village, Metro North train and the century-old, family-oriented Bronxville Field Club–and all only 30 minutes from Manhattan. Enter through a salvaged antique front door to a soaring double height entrance with beautiful millwork and clerestory windows that leads on one side to the classic living room (10 ft ceilings, crown molding and chair railing and fireplace) on the other to the 1st floor guest room with bedroom, office, shared bath and separate entrance to veranda and a formal dining room with oversized windows and doors to the stone patio. The sun-drenched open-concept kitchen with 4 exposures via over-sized windows encompasses huge island, Rutt cabinets, every luxury appliance including Fisher Paykel Stove top, DCS double oven, 2 Miele dishwashers and Dornbracht faucets. Accommodating any crowd for breakfast or lunch is a stand-out wrap around banquette. Also in this space is game room/family room with big screen TV, wood-burning fireplace and wet bar with icemaker and wine refrigerator. Second floor features a beautiful welcoming primary suite with trayed ceiling, large walk in closet and spa bathroom with dual sink, spa tub and oversized shower. A definite “scene-stealer” is the double-height hexagonal office/den off the primary bedroom, boasting cathedral ceilings and engulfed with windows. Additionally, there are 3 large bedrooms, updated and meticulous large hall bath and large laundry and storage room. Entire third floor is large open living space with work out areas, family area, built ins, storage, updated full bath and oversized windows for natural light. The partially finished lower level has storage, mechanicals, bonus area and wine storage. Border property with choice of school districts- Bronxville or Mt Vernon
