[Shelltop]

Hello,
I am a young working professional possibly relocating to the Norwich area. I have read several of the postings.

But, can someone comment on downtown Norwich? It's current developments or future projects?

Has the Casinos enhanced the community (in general)? Is there ethnic diversity?

Is there a Starbucks? Shops? Do people leave the area for Hartford or the surrounding neighboring cities for restaurants, leisure time?

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses.

[ctcoldplay11]

To be honest, as of now Norwich is a bit of a dead-zone. There are improvements that are coming to the downtown (new renovated apartments & condos, a luxury hotel, and transportation center). The city is doing its best to improve, and its attempts aren't done in vain. However, I don't know if I would encourage a young professional as yourself as to moving there. There isn't much of a young crowd, and parts of Norwich are rough. The casinos have been both a positive and negative for the region, enhancing the racial mix of things but at the same time increasing crime and poverty in those areas. It has created thousands of jobs for the region, and has made it arguably the most visited region in Connecticut, but it hasn't all been good either.

I do not think there is a starbucks in Norwich, but there is one in Uncasville at Mohegan Sun (10 Minutes away) or in Colchester (15 Minutes away). Most people go to Mohegan or Foxwoods for fun, and there are a few good restaurants in the area. However, I find Metro-Hartford or even New London much more viable options than Norwich. I encourage you to take a visit if you can, and see for yourself what you think!

Hope this helps!

[Shelltop]

Originally Posted by ctcoldplay11

To be honest, as of now Norwich is a bit of a dead-zone. There are improvements that are coming to the downtown (new renovated apartments & condos, a luxury hotel, and transportation center). The city is doing its best to improve, and its attempts aren't done in vain. However, I don't know if I would encourage a young professional as yourself as to moving there. There isn't much of a young crowd, and parts of Norwich are rough. The casinos have been both a positive and negative for the region, enhancing the racial mix of things but at the same time increasing crime and poverty in those areas. It has created thousands of jobs for the region, and has made it arguably the most visited region in Connecticut, but it hasn't all been good either.

I do not think there is a starbucks in Norwich, but there is one in Uncasville at Mohegan Sun (10 Minutes away) or in Colchester (15 Minutes away). Most people go to Mohegan or Foxwoods for fun, and there are a few good restaurants in the area. However, I find Metro-Hartford or even New London much more viable options than Norwich. I encourage you to take a visit if you can, and see for yourself what you think!

Hope this helps!

Thank you for the response.

I'll check out your recommendations.

From reading these posts, it seems like Colchester is a popular place to live. Is it just family homes? Any condos, etc?

I didn't find any places listed on rent.com in that area.

[skytrekker]

There are condo's in Colchester- mostly townhouses- the town only has around 15,000 people, so any rentals are likely to be minimal. There are some new construction town homes, both age restricted and non age restricted for sale.

[corncountrytoct]

I know a 30-something single guy who relocated to the area for Pfizer and bought a condo in downtown Norwich. He was basically miserable, and really regretted it - there just weren't many young single professionals there. He recently got Pfizer to transfer him to CA.

New London seems like a much better downtown that is being redeveloped, in my opinion.

[RHB]

I don't know where you are planning on working. I'd stay away from Norwich, Colchester and New London. If you want people, activities, culture...I'd be thinking along the lines of Mystic

[ctcoldplay11]

Originally Posted by RHB

I don't know where you are planning on working. I'd stay away from Norwich, Colchester and New London. If you want people, activities, culture...I'd be thinking along the lines of Mystic

I disagree completely that you'd stay away from Colchester or New London in favor of Mystic.

Colchester is a suburb, and like most suburbs it's true that there aren't ALOT of activities for young people, but since Colchester is located within 25 minutes of Downtown Hartford, Glastonbury, Middletown, Norwich, Willimantic, New London, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casinos you'd be right in the middle of EVERYTHING. A short drive is all that's in need and once you tire of mingling and having fun in these larger locales, coming home to a safe and clean community is not at all a bad thing. Colchester has many, many amentities and is a self-sustainable town, unlike the towns in the general area. You say that there are no 'people' in Colchester, when the town has a population of 16,000 and growing rapidly. The surrounding towns have no population larger than 9,000 and most go to Colchester for dining, activities, etc.

Lastly, I find it offensive that you think Colchester has no 'culture'. However, culture is very broadly defined. What is culture? Is it tradition? Is it a mix of different people? Well, Colchester has both. It has tradition in the sense that it is one of the oldest towns in Connecticut (Incorporated 1698), and still has a Main Street parade twice a year, a carnival on the town green, and a newly implemented 57th fest (for when it was ranked as the 57th best town to live in the entire United States in 2005). These are all events that bring the town together, which creates unity amongst all, and well, TRADITION. Also, I've met more types of people in Colchester than most towns in the entire state. I've met doctors, farmers, African-Americans, Latinos, Foreigners, Asian-Americans, the middle-class, the lower-class, the elderly, etc. It's not fair to judge the town just because it includes 94.5% Caucasian residents, this doesn't mean the town is neither accepting of different cultures nor that none inhabit the town.

Onto New London! It is one of the most rapidly improving cities in the state. The cruise ship industry is truly a godsend, as last year a total of five cruise ships (with around 2500 tourists each) embarked in the city. Many loved the mix of old New England architecture, and its place as an old whaling port. New London has tons of clubs and bars, and places of social gathering in general. You are very likely to meet those of your own age anywhere in the city. This region is very important to Connecticut for many reasons: (1) the only region in the state to entice cruise ships, (2) home to a division of Pfizer, (3) home to a United States sub base, (4) home to General Dynamics, (5) home to the United States Coast Guard Academy. All five of these reasons make New London have a particularly strong economy, which is another reason why it wouldn't be at all a bad idea to invest in the city. Many peg the city as rough and dangerous, but this is not at all the case. As with any city, you are bound to find your shady areas, but New London is truly improving crime and poverty everyday. The changes are evident if you take a drive through the city. Also, the New London area has the most commercial retail in Southeast Connecticut (the Crystal Mall, the New London Mall, Waterford Commons, etc.) As for people and culture, I have no idea where you are coming from in regards to the city having none of either. The city is small, with around 26,000 residents, but the city is also VERY small in area, which makes the population density very high. This low population is decieving because the city is located on ONLY 5.54 square miles, making the population density 4,715 PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE. The city has a melange of different ethnicites and cultures and is MUCH more active year-round as opposed to just the tourist season (ie. Mystic).

Lastly, onto Mystic. I would never, ever consider purchasing a property there. Mystic is not even a town, only a part of Groton and Stonington. Groton has below average schools and Stonington is very expensive (so take your pick!) Also, Mystic is the biggest tourist trap in the state (I'm truly sorry if this offends anyone, just my opinion), and is a TOURIST DESTINATION. Unless you like mingling with people that will be gone the next week, then by all means consider Mystic. In the summer, the little downtown is plagued with traffic and throngs of people and for the people that live there, they are constantly complaining with the problems it brings. In the winter months, the downtown is DEAD. (Who wants to visit the shoreline in the snow?) If you are going to accuse Colchester and New London of having no people or culture, you obviously haven't taken a look at Mystic itself!

I'm done rambling, and I hope everyone finds this post informative! (Just my two cents)

[RHB]

Ment no offence, but I guess it's what you want. This is the area I grew up in, I own rentals in Norwich, lived in Norwich many years. Just not the place where I see improvement, they keep trying downtown, but until they fix parking it will always be an issue.
Again I ment no offence, but here's two opposing opinions...so at least you have both sides of the coin.

[ctcoldplay11]

I agree with you that Norwich is not an ideal place for a young professional to live. But I do disagree that both Colchester and New London are as well!

[Shelltop]

Thank you RHB and CTcoldplay11 for your inputs.

Colchester sounds good because of it's reasonable proximity to multiple areas.

But, I will check out as well the New London area when I visit.

Thanks again.