Lisbon pairs rural New England living with lower tax rates
The town of Lisbon, Connecticut, combines features typical of the countryside — including farms and horse stables — with amenities often found in the suburbs, such as an interstate and a large shopping center. Meanwhile, this spread-out, largely undeveloped town outside Norwich offers a strong financial advantage. The mill rate, which affects how much homeowners pay in property taxes, is lower than in most surrounding towns and is among the lowest in the state. That’s a draw for many buyers, says Heather Bassett, broker/owner of Team Bassett Realty in Lisbon. “If they want lower taxes, Lisbon has that going for it.” That’s particularly useful in Connecticut, which usually ranks among the states with the highest average property taxes.
Lisbon has a low population density, but some areas provide a closer knit community.
Lisbon features homes that are generously spaced, contributing to a sense of privacy and rural character.
1/2
Small subdivisions spread throughout the countryside
The median lot size measures a little over an acre, and homes with 10-plus acres of land occasionally hit the market. However, Lisbon isn’t known for isolated living. “There is some decent acreage, but a lot of Lisbon is subdivisions,” Bassett says. Communities of ranch homes, split-levels and Colonial Revivals shoot off Lisbon’s highways. Houses typically cost between $250,000 and $450,000, though larger homes are priced in the $500,000s. Mobile homes clustered on the south end of Lisbon usually sell between $50,000 and $100,000.
The town’s CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
A ranch style home in Lisbon has a red fence that matches the red shutters on the house.
A home in Lisbon sits on a large plot of land with large yard sectioned off by small trees.
1/2
Recreation includes boating and trails through historic properties
Rivers and ponds surround much of Lisbon, and a boat launch off Riverview Drive lets people set out on the Shetucket River for cruising or fishing. Meanwhile, Lisbon Central School’s baseball and softball teams play at the town’s Lisbon Meadows Park. A disc golf course, soccer field and tennis courts complement the park’s baseball field. To the north, just under 2 miles of trails wind around the property of the Burnham Tavern, built before the Revolutionary War.
A person backs their boat into the Shetucket River for an afternoon of fishing, near Lisbon.
A woman practices ultimate frisbee on a soccer field in Lisbon Meadows Park.
1/2
Shopping, dining and entertainment at Lisbon Landing
One of the most important additions to the town came nearly 25 years ago, when Lisbon Landing was built along U.S. Route 12. The shopping plaza contains shopping essentials, such as Target, The Home Depot and Aldi, as well as an AMC movie theater. There are about a dozen other businesses, including department stores and chain restaurants. Farther north on Route 12, a pair of local restaurants stand across the highway from each other. Just Breakfast & Things is a community diner, while Green Onion Pizza Restaurant has been around since the ‘80s.
Lisbon residents looking for big box retail stores can shop at Aldi for all grocery needs.
Green Onion Pizza in Lisbon provides a delicious option for those seeking a midday bite.
1/2
Attending the Lisbon Public School District
Lisbon’s lone public school sits near the middle of town: Lisbon Central School. The school for kindergarteners through eighth graders receives a B grade from Niche. Eighth graders who graduate from the school can apply for the Ethel L. Ducharme Scholarship. Named after a Lisbon resident, the scholarship annually awards $3,000 to a student planning to study medicine in college. Teens can go to Griswold High, a B-rated school less than 2 miles east of Lisbon.
Griswold High School has about 610 students in grades 9-12 and draws students from Lisbon and the surrounding areas.
Lisbon Central School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th and has approximately 400 students.
1/2
An annual fall festival and a seasonal farmers market
The town’s premier annual event, the Lisbon Fall Festival, kicks off every September with a community dinner of chowder and fritters, followed by a 5K run the next morning. Locals spend the rest of the day playing games, shopping from craft vendors and tasting food cooked over a hearth by the Lisbon Historical Society. September is also the final month of the year for the Lisbon Farmers’ Market. Starting in June, the market is held every Thursday afternoon on the grounds of the historic Newent Meeting House.
Interstate access to Norwich and Massachusetts
Bassett says another feature that often stands out to homebuyers is Interstate 395, which passes through Lisbon. The interstate leads to Norwich, about 9 miles away, and about 35 miles north to the Massachusetts state line. Many locals work about 20 miles away in the town of Groton or at the Naval Submarine Base New London, Bassett says. “You’ll get military members who are stationed here.” Southeast Area Transit District runs a bus route between Lisbon Landing and Norwich.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
Photography Contributed By
Matt Barrett
Video By
Jarrod Bock
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mavourneen Costello,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Lisbon, CT sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Lisbon, CT over the last 12 months is $335,500, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
TIME IS NOW MARINA OPENS APRIL 12TH, TO ENJOY THE REST THE WARM DAYS ON PACHAUG POND, THIS UNIT IS IN GREAT SHAEPE WITH OPEN FLOOR PLAN, FULL KITCHEN, BATHROOM, A LOFT AND 2 COUCHES THAT OPEN UP TO A BED FOR MORE SLEEPING, SHED FOR STORAGE AND NICE OPEN DECK TO GRILL ON, HAS A DOCK FOR YOUR BOAT, 2 BEACHES, 2 BATH HOUSES, LAUNDRY FACILITIES, OPEN FROM APRIL - OCTOBER. JUST MINUTES AWAY FROM
Opportunity is knocking! This open level 0.93 acre site in beautiful Griswold, CT is an approved commercial lot ready for you to start or grow your business! The site, located on a large cul-de-sac, offers ample accessibility with entrances from both a high traffic State Road Route 138 as well as a rural town road. Conveniently located just minutes from route I395 and just a short drive from the
DIRECT WATERFRONT ON PACHAUG POND, 2019 YEAR BUILT, GREAT SHAPE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TURN THE KEY, ALL FURNISED FOR YOU AND READY TO GO. OPENING ON APRIL 12TH TO OCTOBER. LAUNDRY FACILITY IS ON SITE, HAS 2 BATH HOUSES, 2 BEACHES, A DOCK, GET A HEAD START ON NEXT YEAR, AND PLENTY TO DO ON PACHAG POND, LIKE JET SKING, BOATING, KAYAKING, GREAT PLACE TO BE. HOA INCLUDES ELECTRIC, TAXES OF LAND,
Oak Tree Village is a recently constructed residential community in Griswold, CT! Our community boasts spacious one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments that are recently built. Every apartment boasts numerous new features, including vinyl plank flooring, energy-efficient appliances, modern lighting, and additional closet space. Our community was meticulously planned and situated within close
This 2 bedroom 1 1/2 bath townhouse unit has some updates and freshening up. Great complex located a walk to downtown and less than 5 minutes to Route 395. Fully loaded including washer and dryer, as well as dishwasher. Spacious dry basement area for good storage.2 dedicated parking spaces in front of the unit . One pet may be considered with an additional deposit at discretion of the landlord as
Pleasant View Estates boasts 102 Newly Constructed 2 & 3 Bedroom Luxury Townhouse Apartments in beautiful Griswold, CT! Featuring luxury style comforts and close proximity to highways and the tri-state area all the while being tucked away as a quiet community in the privacy of the hidden hills of Griswold. Each unit has their own parking, patio or deck, and a garage*.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
