LITCHFIELD, Conn. (WFSB) – Some realtors are calling it “the Mamdani effect”, a rise in New Yorkers looking to move to Connecticut after Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected New York City’s next mayor.
Local real estate agents say the trend is changing traditional migration patterns, with buyers willing to look beyond Southern Fairfield County into New Haven and Litchfield counties.
“Normally, they have a targeted area that they’re looking in, whether it’s Norwalk or Stamford or New Haven or Bridgeport, but now they’re broadening their areas of location, just trying to find something decent,” said Marilyn Profit, a Coldwell Banker Realty agent in Oxford.
Profit said she is taking call after call from New Yorkers looking to relocate. Many cite concerns about Mamdani’s campaign promises, including free buses and universal childcare, which residents worry will lead to a higher cost of living in the city.
“They are very, very concerned. Very concerned,” Profit said.
She said people of different ages, races and income levels are making the move.
“Even the agents are saying the same thing, that they’re seeing more of an uptick in calls for New Yorkers wanting to buy in Connecticut,” Profit said.
Marcus Santore of Martin Santore Realty LLC said he is seeing the New York migration in Litchfield as well.
“I’m working on a listing for $1.4 million. I’ve had more action on it in the last week than I’ve had in the past three months, including negotiating an offer on the property, and the buyers do come from New York,” Santore said.
In communities like Litchfield, Santore said cost of construction is preventing new housing from being built. While the increased demand is good for business, he worries about how the latest wave of newcomers could impact home availability.
“In 2019, we had 149 houses for sale, single family residences for sale. This morning I looked, there’s 14,” Santore said.
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