[renrenbri]

Can you please tell me if there are any nice, safe, affordable towns in CT that are ideally in the coastal region (I've heard the weather is better there in the winter)? By affordable, I would say no more than 200,000 at the very most. I am looking for a nice community that would be good for families. Thank you!

[NewJeffCT]

well, Connecticut has a long coastline and it stretches from Greenwich in the west all the way to Mystic in the East.

Most of the areas west of New Haven would either be way too expensive or not safe/nice. Branford east of New Haven is pretty nice, as are Clinton and Westbrook. Guilford, Madison and Old Saybrook/Old Lyme might be pricey. You can probably find something decent for under 200k in Niantic/East Lyme or Waterford and they're nice towns, though I think Niantic and East Lyme are nicer.

If a condo is okay, then you can probably expand your search.

[renrenbri]

We have 2 dogs, so a condo would probably not work. It wouldn't even have to be right on the coast. Just as long as it's in the "less severe" winter weather area.

[willow wind]

Stay within 5 -8 miles or so to the water along the eastern CT coast - say from East Haven to Stonington and you'll be in the milder winter micro climate. The further east you go along the coast, the less snow you will encounter during a normal winter.

For $ 200,00 or under, you can get a small, starter home in any of several towns from Clinton on eastward.
As already noted, Waterford, East Lyme may be possibilities. As would New London, Groton and the Pawcatuck section of the town of Stonington.

You'll also find possibilities in the town of East Haven, which is adjacent to New Haven. Much of the housing stock in East Haven is small, inexpensive homes, not far from the water.

Do you need employment or are schools a consideration ? That may narrow down your choices. Connecticut suburbs are safe, that's one thing you have little to worry about.

[LRPct]

Originally Posted by renrenbri

We have 2 dogs, so a condo would probably not work. It wouldn't even have to be right on the coast. Just as long as it's in the "less severe" winter weather area.

The only "severe" weather is in the very NW corner..almost 2hours drive from the coast.

[Stylo]

How big of a house do you want for 200k?

[renrenbri]

Willow wind, I thought I read something on here about New London being a pretty rough area? I could be wrong on that....I've never been there. As far as house size, we are certainly not looking for a mansion. 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms would be nice. We have an older house now that CONSTANTLY needs fixing up, so something that's somewhat modern would be nice.

[RogerAnthony]

West Haven has the lowest home prices along the coast, according to a recent list, at $203,000 average for a 4-bed 2-bath home.

[Mr_250]

Originally Posted by renrenbri

Can you please tell me if there are any nice, safe, affordable towns in CT that are ideally in the coastal region (I've heard the weather is better there in the winter)? By affordable, I would say no more than 200,000 at the very most. I am looking for a nice community that would be good for families. Thank you!

This will be hard to find in a 3BR 2BA house. The winters here are not bad don't let that scare you. I would think about moving inland a bit and stretching your budget a bit further. The towns along the coast that have the $200K and under houses are going to sacrifice schools and you might not get a desirable area. Get some snow tires and you'll be fine.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by RogerAnthony

West Haven has the lowest home prices along the coast, according to a recent list, at $203,000 average for a 4-bed 2-bath home.

West Haven has nice areas, but the schools are a bit iffy. Taxes are a little high too.

At the end of the day, you can find a $200,000 house anywhere on the coast from Stratford to Stonington. There's variations between the towns on how much home you get. While you might get a small beach cottage in Milford, you might get a larger 3BR in East Haven - for instance.