[CateP]

It's the gay, sailing jersey girls again. We have been doing a lot of online research and we have narrowed our re-location search to New London County (southern area). We are looking to make this our last move into retirement and are wondering if the cost of living will be less in this area versus the central Jersey shore (Monmouth County) ?

Also we want to be located no more than 30 minutes from the beach, but do not want to be on the beach. Ideally we would like to have a house on a pond or small lake. We want to be somewhat near the basic services, supermarket, hardware, emergency room etc. Any recommendations for towns that meet that criteria?

[skytrekker]

Hi again

your needs and requirements are rather specific. After looking at my Microsoft Streets maps of New London County-
I suggest you check with local realtor's for requirements of a home on a lake or pond- very micro specific.

I would suggest Chesterfield, Montville or Voluntown- towns that have a pond or lake- within 30 minutes or less to the sound.

Colchester is in northern New London county- but is a very attractive town popular with folks from NJ- Lake Hayward is nearby.Colchester has a fair amount of amenities- yet is close to health services in Norwich.

Chesterfield is close enough to New London, Montville to Norwich, while Voluntown is about 8 miles to Norwich.

Norwich and New London have many services, shopping and health care.

[CateP]

Okay. Forget the house by a pond or lake. We have seen several properties in our price range that have a little pond or stream on the property. Ledyard had a few. I guess I'm trying to narrow our search. How about towns that are 30 minutes to the beach or less? It looks like New London has all we need as far as services.

Also major employers in the New London area?

Sorry to be a pain, but the CT people who post here are so informative.

[JayCT]

Hi CateP - To answer your question on the cost-of-living differences between Monmouth County and New London, I checked CNN-Money.com's Cost of Living calculator. It indicates that New London would be about 9% less costly than Monmouth County. The caluculator indicates that housing, groceries and transportation costs less, but utilities and health care cost more. I am not sure I entirely agree with that. How can transportation cost less when our gas prices are a lot higher than New Jersey. And I am not sure why health care would be more costly. Anyway, that should give you an idea.

skytrekker gave you some very nice towns, but again may I suggest considering the lower CT River Valley towns of East Haddam, Lyme, Essex, Chester and Old Saybrook. All very nice communities with great access to places to sail and the beach. good luck, Jay

[CateP]

Originally Posted by JayCT

How can transportation cost less when our gas prices are a lot higher than New Jersey.

We're averaging about $3 a gallon right now. Not so cheap when you have to fill up 2-3 times a week like I do.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by CateP

Okay. Forget the house by a pond or lake. We have seen several properties in our price range that have a little pond or stream on the property. Ledyard had a few. I guess I'm trying to narrow our search. How about towns that are 30 minutes to the beach or less? It looks like New London has all we need as far as services.

Also major employers in the New London area?

Sorry to be a pain, but the CT people who post here are so informative.

The major employers in the area include the casinos (Foxwoods and Mohegan SUn), Pfizer, Electric Boat, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the Submarine Base, Sonalysts, AVCRAD, AT&T, Dominion Nuclear, Connecticut college and Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. Also the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company employs a lot of people in the area, as does retailes like Shaw's SUpermarkets, Macy's, J.C. Penney's, home Depot and Lowes. Jay