10 Things You Miss When You Leave Fairfield County:

If you grew up in Fairfield County, Connecticut you know that sometimes it may seem like you’re living in a bubble. As leaving for college approaches, it seems to become increasingly suffocating. Leaving the place I had always called home was definitely harder and scarier than I had ever imagined. After being away for a few months, I know it is the place I will always consider home. So, here are some things that you never thought you would miss when you leave Fairfield County:

1. Shopping in Westport, New Canaan, and Greenwich Ave

Spending most weekends shopping at Madewell, Lulu Lemon, Brady Melville, Oddz, Urban Outfitters, Vineyard Vines, JCrew, Toggs, and Caren Forbes.

2. Having Four Extreme Seasons

If you go to a southern or West Coast school, chances are you barely notice the change in seasons. In the Northeast, every season can be felt to the extreme. The fall brings apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and, of course, the vibrant colors of the leaves, which is why fall in CT beats anywhere else. With the winter comes snow, which provides the anticipation of snow days, as kids, and, as we got older, it was the perfect excuse to go to VT, NH, or MA to ski. In the spring, excitement for the summer sets. During the summer, we have the perks of being within 30 minutes of the beach.

3. Breakfast Restaurants

Whether it is CT Coffee, Bruegers, Orems, or Sherwood Diner, every town in Fairfield County has a go-to breakfast place to get a Sunday morning bacon, egg and cheese.

4. Coffee Shops like Tusk and Cup, Tazza, and Coffee Barn

While there are at least 2 Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts in every FC town, there are also small coffee shops, where you can get an early morning coffee on your way to work or school.

5. Being Close to NYC and Boston

Taking the train to the city to go to dinner or shopping for the day or going to Boston for the weekend. We probably never realized how lucky we are to have the small town community, but also have access to the nightlife, restaurants and shopping of a city.

6. The Beach

If you’re lucky enough to be close to a beach, don’t take it for granted. For those who are landlocked, you probably miss it more than you thought.

7. Late Night Drives

Taking late night drives with friends to places like the reservoir or beach, or to get a late night ice cream fix at Carvel, Sunny Daes, Deborah Ann’s or Saugatuck Sweets.

8. Weekend Trips

Being within driving distance to the Cape, Newport, ski resorts, or ferries that would take you to Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, or Nantucket for a weekend getaway when you needed a break from the 203.

9. High School Sports Games

Nothing will ever beat the New Canaan/Darien or Wilton/Ridgefield rivalries or the spirit at the Friday night football games. For those who were on sports teams, you probably miss the connection you felt to your teammates and the adrenaline rush that would consume you on the field. For those who were in the stands, you probably miss the excitement and banter that occurred amongst the crowd.

10. Your High School Friends

Most of all, we miss our friends that we have probably known since elementary or middle school and have supported us through everything, from the teenage “awkward” phase to the highs and lows of the college application process.