New London

In Jefferson, a largely Spanish-speaking neighborhood 1 mile west of New London’s historic waterfront and 3 miles north of Ocean Beach, residents can get almost anywhere in the city quickly. “You’re close to restaurants, businesses and the beach,” says Realtor Mario Stephens with Re/Max Legends, who’s sold over a dozen homes in the neighborhood. “The city is within walking distance, but even down the street you have Latin American and other international restaurants and shops.” Multi-family homes, VFW and American Legion posts, churches and auto parts stores are common sights in Jefferson. “You can easily catch a local bus line to other parts of the city and beyond,” says Jacqueline Kapusta, a Realtor with Navick Properties LLC. “I’ve had employers buy multi-family homes to rent out to their workers. It’s one way to keep the neighborhood affordable for working adults.” Jefferson is also practical and comfortable for Spanish-speaking residents. “It’s a diverse community,” Stephens says. “Most businesses and many organizations in Jefferson cater to the Hispanic and Haitian populations.” The homes in Jefferson range from turn-of-the-century Victorians converted into multi-family homes to single-family bungalows with covered front porches, small ranch-style houses with basements and 1920s colonial revival homes with hardwood floors and back decks. “The trouble is that inventory is low, and home prices keep climbing,” Stephens says, “like the rest of the country.” Multi-family homes start at $125,000 for a two-unit and can go as high as $925,000 for an eight-unit home. Colonial revival houses range from $150,000 for a fixer-upper to $300,000 for a newly renovated home. Ranch-style homes are similar in price point; they sell for between $190,000 and $300,000. The few bungalows on the market list for $250,000 to $275,000. Less than a mile from Downtown New London with stores and restaurants nearby, Jefferson is walkable to many businesses and city attractions. “Colman Street has a lot of car dealerships, and if you’re a mechanic, you may only have a few blocks to get to work,” Kapusta says. Southeast Area Transit District (SEAT) buses run along the three major roadways in the neighborhood: Jefferson Avenue, Colman Street and Bank Street. The New London Amtrak Station in the heart of downtown connects passengers with Providence, 60 miles north; Boston, over 100 miles north; and New York, 130 miles south. Interstate 95, which runs along the city's northern edge, connects to these cities, and Interstate 395, accessible from I-95, runs north to Norwich, 15 miles away, and is an alternative route to Boston. Jefferson is also home to Oasis of Restoration, the city’s oldest Hispanic congregation and the first Hispanic church in New London County. Other churches are within the neighborhood, and several are within walking distance. Schools that serve Jefferson are part of the New London School District, which receives a C from Niche. The district is Connecticut’s first all-magnet school district with three distinct pathways. PK-5 students can attend C.B. Jennings International Elementary, which earns a C-minus and offers an international education magnet program focused on world languages, debate and empowering Latino youth. At Bernie Dover Jackson Middle, another C-minus school, students can choose the international education pathway or study topics like oceanography, Lego robotics, coding and artificial intelligence as part of the STEM magnet program. At New London High School, a C-plus school, students can choose from all three pathways, including the visual and performing arts magnet program, which prepares them for dance, theater and the media arts, such as graphic design and film production. Restaurants in Jefferson are small and locally owned, like Sonny’s Market, a sandwich shop on Jefferson Avenue that also serves soups, salads and cold cuts by the pound. Oven-On Bakery down the street offers many baked goods and traditional Latin American meals. For steaks and a pint of Guinness, Birdseye Café is the place to enjoy both in a casual tavern setting. Neighborhood grocers like Shiva Grocery on Waldon Avenue are just as small and community-oriented, where shoppers can stop in for fresh meat, dairy, a sandwich and lottery tickets. Pezzello Brothers Fruit and Produce is a wholesaler on Jefferson that is also a full-service supermarket. The Waterford Shopping Plaza on Boston Post Road is about 2 miles east with chain grocery stores like Stop & Shop and Aldi. Bank Street, which turns into Boston Post Road, also features several businesses and restaurants, including The Spice Palette, specializing in Indian cuisine, and Mike’s Famous Harley-Davidson, a motorcycle dealership with over 55,000 square feet of inventory and other automobilia and collectibles in its showroom. Jefferson is surrounded by city parks, such as the newly renovated Veterans Memorial Field, a full-sized baseball field used by New London High School, the American Legion and the Electric Boat Leagues. Many legends, including Yogi Berra and Ted Williams, have played there. McDonald Park at the corner of McDonald Street and Connecticut Avenue offers a community garden maintained by FRESH New London, a food justice non-profit dedicated to ensuring every community has access to locally grown food. For families with children, Bates Woods Park northwest of Jefferson features a sizable playground, picnic pavilions, walking trails and multiple sports fields. Parkgoers can also take the half-mile trail through Bates Woods from Ashcraft Road in the neighborhood to the park, an approximate 3-minute walk. Water lovers and those who love to fish might spend the day at Fort Trumbull State Park and Museum on the Thames River, 1.5 miles away. The century-and-a-half-old fort was in service from the American Revolutionary War to World War II and offers beautiful harbor views and a fishing pier. In late July, Noche Latina is an evening of live music at Ocean Beach Park, about 3 miles south of Jefferson down Route 213/Ocean Avenue, also accessible by the SEAT bus. In 2022, New London’s mayor declared September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month, and the celebration kicks off with Eat in the Street, a festival with food trucks, vendors and entertainment on Bank Street downtown. Later in the month, New London’s Hispanic community is honored with a Guatemalan flag raising at City Hall and an evening of live music, food, salsa lessons, cultural dancing and fireworks at Parade Plaza. “Jefferson is often in the news for crime,” Kapusta says. Within the last year, local police found evidence of gunshots fired at one home and a vehicle, and a homicide occurred at a block party, the result of domestic violence. “The neighborhood has a rough reputation, but that doesn’t mean people don’t live and work in the area and enjoy life.” Homebuyers should also be aware that mild flooding can occur through the center of the neighborhood between Jefferson and Connecticut Avenues.

The small neighborhood of Northwest New London may sit on the city’s edge. Yet, it is convenient for major employers, colleges, shopping centers, casinos, and other recreation areas because of its proximity to Interstate 95 and public transit. “New London County is prime for anyone who works at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the naval submarine bases in New London or Groton, or Connecticut College,” says broker-owner Deb Schusterman with Brizo Real Estate Services. Originally from New York, Schusterman has been a broker in the area for 14 years. Her clientele is mostly active military. “You can jump into the city for dinner or drive to Foxwoods Resort Casino, only 14 miles away. My clients love it.” Fishing, beaches and shopping centers are not far away either. “When you live in the northwest corner, you can get groceries or stop at HomeGoods right across the street at New London Mall,” says Victoria Schroeder, an associate broker with Kazantzis Real Estate LLC, who has been selling homes in the area for the past 17 years. “New London is a small place to begin with. Public transportation is convenient, and employers like Electric Boat and public beaches like Ocean Beach are all on the bus line.” Buyers will find colonial-style homes built nearly 150 years ago in Northwest New London. Many have been updated with new siding, windows, electrical and plumbing. Charming bungalows from the 1930s, with enclosed fronts and craftsman-style details, are also available. Ranches and duplexes built in the 1950s and later are the most common. Some feature original hardwood flooring and large fenced backyards. Newer condos and townhouses complete the offerings. “Like most of New London, you’ll find older homes with a lot of character,” Schusterman says. “Midcentury homes and newer construction are popular, too. It has a great neighborhood feel, which is good for kids. Most homes are not on main roads with a lot of traffic, so kids can also ride their bikes safely. You also get more bang for your buck here than in places like Hartford, New York or Rhodes Island.” Homes in Northwest New London range from $150,000 to $325,000. All the schools that serve Northwest New London offer magnet pathways. Winthrop STEM Elementary, which received a C from Niche, engages students with study subjects like oceanography, Lego robotics, coding and A.I. as part of its STEM magnet pathway. At Bernie Dover Jackson Middle, a C-minus school, students can choose STEM or international education, emphasizing world languages and debate. At New London High School, a C-plus school, three magnet pathways are offered: STEM, international education, and visual and performing arts, which prepares students for careers in dance, theater and the media arts. The New London Mall is right across the street from some homes in Northwest New London and is very walkable. Southeast Area Transit (or SEAT) buses travel along Hawthorne Drive. The New London Amtrak station is located downtown, along with ferry stations that take passengers to Long Island, Block Island and Fishers Island. Interstate 95 borders the neighborhood, has on-ramps along Colman and Briggs streets, and connects drivers to Providence, 55 miles north; Boston, 100 miles north; and New York, 125 miles south. Nearby Route 32 runs north to Norwich, about 15 miles, connecting to I-395, an alternative route to Boston. For people who enjoy fishing, Perry Pond, between the neighborhood and New London Mall, and Brandegee Lake, a larger body of water on the far side of the mall, both allow fishing. North of the neighborhood and accessible from William Street is the Connecticut College Arboretum. This 750-acre green space includes a pond, natural areas, a native plant collection and walking trails. The Arboretum also offers free guided tours and hosts concerts and outdoor theater productions in its outdoor theater. In the nearby Colman Street business district, gym enthusiasts can join the Whaling City Athletic Club, a 10,000-square-foot facility devoted to martial arts, boxing, wrestling, yoga and fitness programs. About 2.5 miles south, Bates Woods Park features a sizable playground, picnic pavilions, walking trails and multiple sports fields. At the New London Mall, neighborhood residents can shop for groceries at ShopRite, pick up pet supplies at PetSmart or shop for furniture at Bob’s Discount Furniture. The mall has a Chili’s, a Panda Buffet and Bubbly Bubble Chewable Drinks for restaurant offerings. Residents will have to venture into the city to find family-owned businesses, like Hamilton Street Market on Broad Street, a sub and sandwich place, or Tox Brewing Company next door, a local brewery started by New London natives, and Half Keg Tavern, a unique half-barrel shaped bar with a back patio, karaoke nights and food specials. Sailfest is the region’s top summertime event in July. It features amusement rides, live music on multiple stages, ships on parade, over 200 vendors that line the streets and the largest fireworks display in New England on the waterfront downtown. In September, the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival celebrates the state’s rich maritime history with a Coast Guard helicopter search and rescue demonstration, a fishing clinic, rum tasting, live music and food trucks at Fort Trumbull State Park and New London Waterfront Park. Homes closest to the creek connected to Perry Pond are the most susceptible to flooding in the neighborhood. The southern tips of Margaret, Jennie and Belvidere streets and the intersection of Bayonet and Colman are the most prone to flooding. Noise, too, may be a concern for homebuyers since the neighborhood sits right next to Interstate 95.