From City Hustle to Suburban Haven: New Yorkers Trade Manhattan for Greenwich Dream Home
Greenwich, CT – After two decades immersed in the energy of New York City, Alexa Mellardo and her husband have realized a classic American dream: finding a peaceful, spacious life just a short commute away. The couple recently completed a year-long renovation of a property in Greenwich, Connecticut, transforming it into a home that embodies their vision of a slower, more connected lifestyle.
The decision to leave the city wasn’t impulsive. Mellardo described seeking a town with a “picturesque and coastal atmosphere,” and Greenwich, just 40 minutes from New York by train, proved ideal. The proximity allowed her husband to maintain easy access to his work while the couple embraced “wooded streets, New England-style houses and a quieter life.”
The search itself was a dedicated effort. “We spent night reviewing ads. Every time our real estate agent called, we got on a train to visit houses,” Mellardo recounted. they found a three-bedroom, two-bathroom property in Greenwich ripe for renovation.
The house presented notable challenges. “Our little love nest had wall to wall carpet and an outdated linoleum floor in the kitchen. The roof had leaks. The tickets of the entrance creaked,” Mellardo explained. Undeterred,the couple embarked on a hands-on transformation,tackling demolition,flooring,window and door replacements,fireplace installation,and a complete modernization of the kitchen and main bathroom.
“We rise and we got to work,” Mellardo said, adding with a touch of humor, ”Not only did I learn to use a hammer, but I also changed the search on Zara’s shelves for touring the Home Depot halls.”
The effort culminated in what she calls “our dreams come true.” But the change extended beyond the physical structure of the house. The couple has embraced a new rhythm of life, marked by seasonal traditions.
“We have been living here for about two years and I love that every season of the year in Greenwich brings new traditions,” Mellardo shared.Spring and summer are now filled with patio gatherings and garden parties, autumn with pumpkin carving and mulled wine, and Christmas with “velvet tapes and hand-painted ornaments in the light of the fireplace.”
The new home also allows for agreeable hosting. “There is always a clean towel set and lavender bath soap waiting in the guest bed,” Mellardo noted.
While cherishing her 20 years in New york City, Mellardo is excited about her new chapter. “I wouldn’t change my 20 years in New York for anything in the world, but my life in the suburbs has had an unbelievable beginning,” she concluded.
