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Old 09-11-2020, 12:13 PM
 
334 posts, read 263,713 times
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Hi all:
As I continue to plan my return to Connecticut and research cities and towns, I look with interest at Waterford in New London county. It looks lovely and there appears to be some homes and apartment buildings in development. I may rent initially so apartments are also of interest.

My initial preference was a coastal town in New Haven county that was reasonably close to a good hospital, beaches, restaurants, some shopping and preferably new construction housing that wasn’t crazy expensive. Branford, Milford and Guilford check the boxes but the only new homes are way out of my price range. New Haven is interesting but I’m more comfortable with a less urban feel. I work from home so location isn’t an issue.

Any information, impressions, resources regarding Waterford is welcome.
The homes I looked at on Zillow showed tax rates that seemed lower than other coastal towns. I’m wondering why. Is crime low in Waterford? How about healthcare? I see Lawrence and Memorial Hospital is affiliated with Yale. Is it considered a good hospital? How about police and EMT services? Closest airport? Has Crystal Mall had problems like the mall in Milford?

I appreciate your assistance as I explore CT possibilities!!

Patty
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Old 09-11-2020, 03:39 PM
 
Location: Connecticut
34,918 posts, read 56,903,161 times
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Waterford is a nice town. It’s safe and has plenty of amenities like shopping and entertainment. It is home to the wonderful Tony Award winning Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. It’s a great place to live near.

The only thing you should know is that Waterford is home to the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant. It is a massive complex that kind of looms over parts of the town. That is why the town has such low taxes. Homes are less there because there is somewhat limited employment opportunities in the great New London area.

L&M Hospital is a good medical facility. It is associated with Yale New Haven Hospital but I wouldn’t expect the same level of care as Yale New Haven’s Main hospital which is a Top 20 hospital. It might be a good place to consider. Jay

https://www.theoneill.org/about
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Old 09-11-2020, 04:06 PM
 
Location: Coastal Connecticut
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It’s a fine option. The location and power plant keep prices relatively low.

There’s other more affordable towns you could consider. Clinton, West Haven, Westbrook.
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Old 09-11-2020, 04:43 PM
 
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I have family in Waterford and lived in New London on weekends and a summer when I was dating my wife. LM is a fine hospital. My uncle’s wife is a physician was affiliated with it for a long time. Although it’s not Yale NH, if you need a specialist, you’re not that far away from New Haven if you needed to make that trip. Crystal mall is a mediocre mall, but the whole strip around it and the Cross Rd strip has all the stores you would want. New London has a bad reputation but I actually think it has a lot to offer. Coming from Waterford he would have to pay to go to Ocean Beach, but it’s a lot of fun. You are also very close to the Mystic. East Lyme also has a great little town center that is very close.

I think Jay hit the nail on the head about prices there. Eastern Connecticut doesn’t have the same level economic activity as central and western CT. From my perspective, the knock on Waterford is that it doesn’t have much of a town center. It doesn’t have the same community vibe or charm as some other towns have. This isn’t to say that it’s not nice, but there is nothing like Guilford green. It’s also fairly large geographically and depending on where you are, it can be somewhat inconvenient to the highway.

The power plant doesn’t bother me a bit. It’s worth considering given the parameters you gave.
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Old 09-11-2020, 04:59 PM
 
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Ok, I’ll say it , to me Waterford isn’t very pretty. At least the areas I drove by. And it’s hard to ignore the power plant, especially when you see it the background in listings, homes for sale.

I am also exploring CT coastal towns (in addition to RI) and visited Branford last weekend, which was initially last on my list but surprisingly I really liked it! I wasn’t clear why you ruled out Branford, but I think you should visit when you have a chance. Of course some areas of Branford are nicer than others but the good thing is there is housing at various price points, so something for everyone. And the people there seem to be very nice and down to earth, which is a big plus in my book.
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Old 09-12-2020, 06:28 AM
 
836 posts, read 505,873 times
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For an Airport, you are best served by TF Green from Waterford. Easy drive and a convenient to navigate. Town services are fine. I agree with the Emisky that Branford is worth a look. Some parts are great, others not as nice, but the proximity to New Haven brings a lot to the table.
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Old 09-12-2020, 06:58 AM
 
Location: Connecticut
34,918 posts, read 56,903,161 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WestRiverTraveler View Post
For an Airport, you are best served by TF Green from Waterford. Easy drive and a convenient to navigate. Town services are fine. I agree with the Emisky that Branford is worth a look. Some parts are great, others not as nice, but the proximity to New Haven brings a lot to the table.
What parts of Branford are not nice? That’s the first time I have ever heard anyone say that. Jay
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Old 09-12-2020, 07:37 AM
 
334 posts, read 263,713 times
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Actually, Branford has been at the top of my list but I haven’t seen a property that meets my criteria yet. That is, a condo or single family home with a first floor master, preferably new construction, that isn’t sky high in price. The few that exist are in the mid-500’s.
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Old 09-12-2020, 09:52 AM
 
Location: Fairfield County CT
4,449 posts, read 3,343,688 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PittsburghPatty View Post
Actually, Branford has been at the top of my list but I haven’t seen a property that meets my criteria yet. That is, a condo or single family home with a first floor master, preferably new construction, that isn’t sky high in price. The few that exist are in the mid-500’s.


It's not easy to find houses or condos with a first floor master in Branford. Right now there is such a small inventory to find that criteria. You would have to look at ranch houses in Branford.

I can't remember your price range. There are some 55+ condos in Orange that I have bookmarked for the future that have a master on the 1st floor. They look nice and are in my price range and I think I remember these are your budget too. Orange is a nice town and these are close to the water.
https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/.../pid_33461470/
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Old 09-12-2020, 02:37 PM
 
334 posts, read 263,713 times
Reputation: 760
I also saw these condos and they are a possibility but I'd really love one floor living and these have the second bedroom on the second floor in both styles of condo. They're attractive though and at a good price point for new build. I think I may be looking for a single family ranch when it all comes down to it.
Thanks for your suggestion!
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