[quisy]

I'm thinking of a move to either Colchester, Montville or Waterford area from Torrington where I have lived for many decades. Reasons being taxes seem lower than Torrington, there seems to be more to do with the proximity to the casinos and shoreline, and really I just want a change of scenery.
I would appreciate any feedback and opinions from residents familiar with these towns as to the pros and cons of each area. Also in these towns are there any areas that you would advise to avoid and why. Thanks so much for any info.

[willow wind]

First off, there is no where in any of those towns you would have to avoid. It's safe anywhere. The only place I wouldn't like are several streets in Waterford that are next to the the city of New London. However, those are congested streets, homes on small lots in a mixed residential/commercial area. You wouldn't be interested in them anyway.

Waterford has the cheapest tax rate. Montville have Colchester similar, but higher tax rates than Waterford.

The rest of it all depends on what you want. Waterford has a beach, plus Harkness State Park on the water. The south western part of the town is next to the Niantic River & various Niantic marinas. It has decent shopping-- a big regional enclosed mall with adjacent outdoor shopping centers, a cinema complex.. What it lacks is an attractive town center. It sprawls - very much a town of neighborhoods.

Montville is pretty much " Meh" in my opinion. Nothing wrong it, just nothing to recommend it either. The only thing is has is a casino. The Uncasville section of town, which is the eastern side of town, mostly runs along the RT 32 corridor. RT 32 is mostly commercial with strip mall type shopping, a couple of state prisons, a Home Depot, some restaurants,a Stop & Shop, etc. Side streets are primarily, older, smaller, single family homes . It's decent and affordable but nothing that says " make me move, I just can't wait to live here". The Oakdale or western & northwestern part of town is more suburban to rural and IMO more desirable. Some older neighborhoods, many newer subdivisions. Depending on the neighborhood, home values are all over the place. Oxoboxo Lake has smaller beachy, homes around it if you're looking for lakeside retirement. Oakdale is quiet and more upscale for Montville than Uncasville.

Colchester is a growing and popular town. It probably has the prettiest, more typical New England town center. There's a big town green, with various events held on it year round. There are state parks with big ponds & trails for recreational activities. The center of town has decent local shopping, a cinema, walk in medical center, a few restaurants. Again, home prices are all over the place, from small starter homes to McMansion neighorhoods and everything in between. You can find neighborhoods near town or be on acreage more out in the country.

You should consider taking a long weekend and come to spend a few days driving around and see what appeals to you. Those are three very different towns in feel.

I would also throw the town of East Lyme into the mix. It's no further to a casino than Colchester. The Niantic section of East Lyme is on Long Island Sound. It's a lovely town in which you can be in a nice walkable neighborhood near Niantic village center, or in private beach associations, or again on acreage in the country. It has local beaches, plus Rocky Neck State Park, plus marinas, plenty of local shopping.. There are no bad areas.

.

[quisy]

Thanks so much for the info. I appreciate it.

[Slipperman]

if you have kids, Montville is supposed to have one of the top school systems in the state.

[willow wind]

Originally Posted by Slipperman

if you have kids, Montville is supposed to have one of the top school systems in the state.

Maybe you're confusing Montville with some other town? Their school results are as mediocre as they come

The Day - Montville test scores a mixed bag | News from southeastern Connecticut

[quisy]

no kids so except for resale, school system wouldn't be the most important for me. Just some different places to go and somewhat less expensive taxes. One question I have about Montville taxes I see that the mill rate is higher than Waterford but when I look for homes for sale at about the same price the homes in Montville seem to have lower taxes than Waterford. Excuse me if I'm being dumb but I'm not sure how that works.

[willow wind]

It has to do with their tax assessments. Assessments have nothing to do with current listing prices on homes. The home in Montville has to be assessed far below the value of the similar home in Waterford to achieve lower taxes.

[Slipperman]

Originally Posted by willow wind

Maybe you're confusing Montville with some other town? Their school results are as mediocre as they come

The Day - Montville test scores a mixed bag | News from southeastern Connecticut

wasn't always like that though.. maybe Jay can clear up the confusion.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Slipperman

wasn't always like that though.. maybe Jay can clear up the confusion.

This is interesting. I looked back at the Connecticut Mastery and Connecticut Academic Performance Test results for Montville and found that back in 2001 and 2002 Montville students generally performed above the state averages. Recent tests though show more mixed results with some categories a little above and some below. There could be a number of reasons for this but to me this means the system is just average at best. Here is a link to the schools website for Connecticut. Jay

State Department of Education - CEDaR