Yale University dominates this coastal Connecticut city of 135,000, where Ivy League campus buildings contrast with working-class neighborhoods. Long Island Sound moderates temperatures slightly, creating milder winters than inland Connecticut towns, though snowfall still averages 35 inches. The harbor and coastline shaped the city's industrial past and continue to influence development patterns. Summer temperatures reach the mid-80s with coastal humidity, while fall brings stunning foliage to the city's many mature trees. New Haven's compact urban core sits at the base of West Rock and East Rock ridges, providing elevation and viewpoints.
