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It's the only house I found looking from East Haven to Stonington and somewhat inland. Most of your price range + other parameters along the shore is September to June type rents. The couple that weren't were cottage conversions with 1940- 1950- ish interiors and who knows what, if anything, for insulation.
Ugh. Yeah, the lack of insulation is the kicker. In the Midwest, loads of insulation is pretty much a given - I guess we mistakenly expected it here, as well, due to the legends of the "Nor'Easter" and such.
Branford has plenty of sleepy sections. North Branford is just as rural as north Madison. It's very low key off Route 1, which is probably what gave you the wrong impression. I think you would like it.
Even areas near the coast are quiet and more spread out, like the Stony Creek and Pine Orchard section. It is not a bustling town by any means once you get off Route 1.
Fiona, how high do you keep your heat? I know that doesn't help with the mold but you may be able to save some money until you move. I have played a lot with my heat settings , use the natural sun and have saved a fortune. Just a thought!
We will check out those two neighbourhoods, Stylo, thank you!
I hear Route 79 North of Madison is also a nice country-like area - any thoughts on that or Essex?
WouldLoveTo, usually between 62-68 during the day, only in the rooms we are in (so basically the living room, which does get some sun (helps a little) and my boyfriend's little office annex room) -- at night, we put all the thermostats to 45-50 except for the bedroom, which we leave at 68 and occasionally 70 because it's uninsulated and freezing at night (68 kinda sorta keeps the actual room temperature around 60.) They are electric baseboard heaters at least each room has its own thermostat.
Even with all that fussing, though, the bill's still ridiculous.
I think that you're going to have to either move further away from New Haven to a place like Niantic where you can find a decent rental in a quiet neighborhood in your price range or consider East Haven or West Haven. I have a home in summer home in West Haven and there are some decent neighborhoods in the West Shore area where you can find a nice rental in your price range. The new train station is 5 minutes away with plenty of parking.
North of Route 80, gives you a tiny bit of East Haven, the Northford section of North Branford, the northern reaches of Guilford, Madison, & parts of the towns of Killingworth & Deep River. Essex and its villages of Ivoryton & Centerbrook are just south of Route 80.
It's all very nice, very safe, not heavily developed with exception of Route 80 itself through North Branford & East Haven which is mostly commercial. Essex proper is a beautiful area, but it has old money cachet. It's not cheap. You pay for the word " Essex" - lol . Charm comes with price tag. Centerbrook & Ivoryton would be a tiny bit less expensive.
You could look in West Haven & East Haven. However, you're not going to get that country feel or charm you seem to be seeking. These are going to be houses on small lots in areas that are basically heavily developed. You're going to have close neighbors. On the other, you do get proximity to train stations.
You might find something in a beachy area of Old Saybrook or Old Lyme ( there are those converted cottages again on smaller lots ) or East Lyme/Niantic. Although when I was looking yesterday, there was nothing in your price range in those towns that was not a seasonal rental. However, I was not looking at Craigslist so you never know.
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at least each room has its own thermostat. 
