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Relocating to the new London area from Vegas , can anyone tell me what areas to avoid as we will...

post #1 of 20
10/17/12 at 12:25am
Thread Starter 
Thanks in advance we are going in blind here and could use any advice you ladies might have

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post #2 of 20
10/21/12 at 9:33pm

I'm bumping up your post. bump.gifAnyone have a recommendation to share?
 

post #3 of 20
10/22/12 at 12:53pm

I live about 40 minutes north of New London, but I've lived in Eastern CT most of my life and am familiar with the area.  Just wondering what your circumstances are--will you be looking to buy a house or rent?  Are you relocating to CT for a job?  How far from New London itself are you willing to live?  There are some really lovely more rural areas around.  There definitely are some rough neighborhoods in New London, but there is a wonderful food co-op, and the downtown area has seen much improvement in the past 10 years.

post #4 of 20
10/24/12 at 12:34pm
Thread Starter 

We are locating for my husbands job which will be located in the Mohegan Sun casino. We are looking to rent we have 5 sons two of which are schoold age so info on schools would be helpful too. We have been looking in some of the smaller towns as well its just difficult being as we don't know the area. it would be ideal if wherever we live isnt more than 30 minutes from the casino. So it doesnt nessarily have to be new london specifically.

post #5 of 20
11/4/12 at 1:08pm

I live in Scotland, CT with population of about 2000 with a tight knit community.  Lots of crunchy here as a lot of us belong to the local co-op in Willimantic.  Diversity is small as i have about the only black child in the school, but no racism so that isn't a problem.  Stay away from New London, Willimantic, Windham and Norwich IMHO.  I lived in Norwich and couldn't get away fast enough.

post #6 of 20
11/4/12 at 4:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddhamom View Post

I live in Scotland, CT with population of about 2000 with a tight knit community.  Lots of crunchy here as a lot of us belong to the local co-op in Willimantic.  Diversity is small as i have about the only black child in the school, but no racism so that isn't a problem.  Stay away from New London, Willimantic, Windham and Norwich IMHO.  I lived in Norwich and couldn't get away fast enough.

Thank you so much for the imput , I really appreciate it!

post #7 of 20
11/16/12 at 2:25pm
I agree with staying away from norwich and new london. Mystic is a lovely town, but I recommend the stonington side rather than the groton side.
post #8 of 20
11/18/12 at 8:01pm
Thread Starter 
Well we are here but still haven't found a house. It's really hard to find a big enough house in this area that doesn't cost a fortune or isn't on a freaking hill .
post #9 of 20
11/19/12 at 9:32am

As a New London native, I find it a tad frustrating when the common advice is avoid New London... yet so many from out of town come into town to enjoy the food coop, organic coffee shop, organic salon, etc.

 

There are a few streets that I might suggest you avoid... but don't write off New London all together. 

post #10 of 20
11/19/12 at 10:41am
Thread Starter 
What streets would you suggest we avoid then? Also what about schools in new London I have two school age children
post #11 of 20
11/19/12 at 11:19am

Blackhall and most streets off of it, but as you move away from that street, connecting streets get "nicer."   But then again... if you are to live on Blackhall and get to know your neighbors someone is always out on the stoop and people look out for each other.

 

It is a city, with it's urban issues, but I have never feared walking anywhere at night.  No more than I have walking alone in say rural Durham.  In the 30+ years I have lived in the region, my car hasn't been broken into (knock on wood).  While friends in outlying areas haven't been so lucky...  I like that I can walk to the library or two different grocery stores if we are down to one car, or take a bus to the beach (well I could walk it's less than 3 miles from my house).  We have a thriving and ever growing music and art scene. 

 

The public schools are currently in transition - most are or are becoming magnet schools.  My son attends the STEM school (science & math).  He's thriving.  There are a number of private (parochial and secular) schools in town. 

 

 If city living isn't for you, then you might want to look elsewhere, but New London has this bad rap with other towns which I never truly understood (despite bouncing around the region but I have always returned home).  It's like a gossip curse that just lives on, which is why my previous response might have come off as snarky.  blush.gif  Just gotta protect my hometown.  

 

Hubby works at Mohegan, he an accountant there.

post #12 of 20
11/19/12 at 12:19pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you I really appreciate your insight smile.gif, I don't suppose you know anything about the area around caulkins park?
post #13 of 20
11/19/12 at 1:14pm

Maple Ave. is roughish... but there is a lot of rehab going on over there.  I love driving through and seeing the changes.  The rest of the area is nice.  I have quite a few friends in that area. 

post #14 of 20
11/21/12 at 6:45am
Thread Starter 

I appreciate all the advice all of you ladies have given me and my family, I think we will be concentrating on the essex and old saybrook areas as those are the ones that appeal to us most at this time.

post #15 of 20
11/21/12 at 1:07pm
Thread Starter 
Could you guys give me some idea how bad the winter is around here ?
post #16 of 20
11/21/12 at 7:54pm
The closer to the water, the milder it is. Last year practcally no snow in New London except for storm in October. This year I expect more.

It's definitely New England. You will need winter gear, especially if you are outdoorsy.
post #17 of 20
11/23/12 at 2:49am
I'm a little late in the conversation, but I'm going to give my two cents. New London is definitely working on re-inventing itself and has some nice independent businesses. I might be hesitant to buy there but not rent. Waterford can be hard to find rentals but the taxes are cheap and the schools excellent. Little ones from Waterford and New London both have the option of entering the lottery for the Friendship School which is free Preschool and Kindergarten. My nieces and nephews loved it.

And winters, mild the past couple of years but two years ago was brutal.

Good luck!
post #18 of 20
11/27/12 at 9:22am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jenniferl View Post

I'm a little late in the conversation, but I'm going to give my two cents. New London is definitely working on re-inventing itself and has some nice independent businesses. I might be hesitant to buy there but not rent. Waterford can be hard to find rentals but the taxes are cheap and the schools excellent. Little ones from Waterford and New London both have the option of entering the lottery for the Friendship School which is free Preschool and Kindergarten. My nieces and nephews loved it.
And winters, mild the past couple of years but two years ago was brutal.
Good luck!

Thanks =) we actually ended up finding a place in waterford. I'll look into the friendship school.

post #19 of 20
11/28/12 at 9:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chula13 View Post

Thanks =) we actually ended up finding a place in waterford. I'll look into the friendship school.

the guy actually ended up backing out on us to rent the house to a friend =(, oh well back to househunting i guess =/

post #20 of 20
12/6/12 at 10:15am
Thread Starter 
Staying in Niantic for now :/
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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Welcome to Mothering! › Finding Your Tribe › Tribal Areas › Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island › Relocating to the new London area from Vegas , can anyone tell me what areas to avoid as we will be looking for houses before we get there