Willetts
Neighborhood in New London, Connecticut
New London County 06320
A range of single-family, multifamily and suburban-style homes
Most homes in Willetts are single-family houses built around the turn of the 20th century, with two or more stories, front porches and period details, including original wood trim, hardwood flooring and large windows. Historic homes needing updating or renovation are priced between $150,00 and $300,000. Fully restored homes can sell for $350,000 to $600,000. Multifamily homes, almost all historic, often feature two or three units and list for $250,000 to $400,000. “While many of the lots are postage-stamp-sized, they’re a good choice for entry-level homebuyers,” Huhn says. “You get more house for the money in Willetts compared to similar houses in Waterford a mile west.” Midcentury ranches, Cape Cods and colonial-style homes west of Ocean Avenue offer an alternative to the heavier urban feel eastward. They offer larger front yards and fenced-in backyards, selling for $250,00 to $360,000.
Sports facilities, a public beach and a historic riverfront park
Caulkins Park in Willetts features a baseball field, multiple soccer fields, a playground and a basketball court. The New London Soccer Club meets there, and the park is home to youth baseball leagues, football camps, social walking clubs and dog walkers. Mercer Field is a baseball diamond on the western side of Willets, and along the river, Green Harbor Park offers a playground and a public beach with views of marinas. Nearby, Fort Trumbull State Park has a Colonial-area fort initially built to protect New London Harbor from the British. Its masonry construction and high stone walls are impressive, and its museum captures the fort’s history, starting with the British attack under the command of Benedict Arnold. Visitors can also see the harbor and the General Dynamics Electric Boat manufacturing plant on the opposite shore, where U.S. nuclear submarines are built. Block Island, too, is a favorite day trip. Visitors take the high-speed, passenger-only ferry from Downtown New London to the island, which takes about 90 minutes. The island features beautiful beaches, trails, lighthouses and a quaint downtown. Visitors are also invited to hunt for glass orbs hidden on beaches and trails throughout the island. Over 500 are made in nearby Wakefield, Rhode Island, and placed by volunteers called “orbivores.”
New London schools with all-magnet curricula
Schools that serve Willetts are part of the New London School District, which receives a C from Niche. New London is Connecticut’s first all-magnet school district. Families of PK-5 students can apply to the school that fits their child’s interests most, such as C.B. Jennings International Elementary, which earns a C-minus and emphasizes world languages and debate. At Bernie Dover Jackson Middle, another C-minus school, students can choose the international education pathway or study STEM topics like oceanography, coding and artificial intelligence. At New London High School, a C-plus school, students can choose from international education, STEM, or visual and performing arts, which prepares them for careers in dance, theater and the media arts. Mitchell College, which enrolls many first-generation students, is a little over a mile south of Willetts.
CT Maritime Heritage Fest in September
New London celebrates its rich maritime history every September with CT Maritime Heritage Fest, a weekend event held at Fort Trumbull State Park and New London Waterfront Park on the Thames River. Children can enjoy face painting and the Little Mermaids and Sea Monsters Parade. Military and private ships will be on the water, and live music, food trucks and maritime-inspired activities, such as a Coast Guard helicopter search and rescue demonstration, will be at the fort. Reenactments of Benedict Arnold’s betrayal and burning of New London are performed at both Fort Trumbull and Waterfront Park.
Transportation and health resources in Willetts
Cyclists will find bike lanes on Montauk Avenue, which runs the length of Willetts. Southeast Area Transit or SEAT buses stop along Bank Street, Ocean Avenue and Montauk Avenue. The New London Amtrak Station is about 1.5 miles away in the heart of downtown. Amtrak trains take passengers to Boston, 100 miles north, and New York City, 130 miles south. Interstate 95 is 2 miles from Willetts and connects drivers to these cities. An alternative route to Boston is I-395, which runs through Norwich, 15 miles north. At the southern end of Willetts, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital on Montauk Avenue is a 308-bed general hospital that provides medical, surgical, pediatric and obstetric care services.
Well-established restaurants and businesses in Willetts
Ocean Pizza Restaurant and Seafood House on Ocean Avenue has been voted the best pizza in town by readers of the New London Day newspaper. Run by the same family for over half a century, the restaurant offers pizza, seafood, steaks, and Greek and Italian dishes. Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock is not far away, a no-frills eatery known for its hot and cold lobster rolls. Customers order and pick up from a window and can sit at picnic tables, some of which are under a shelter, or on Adirondack chairs that look out to a marina. Wayfarer Bicycle has been in business since 1972, selling and servicing bikes and advising cyclists on the best places to ride in Eastern Connecticut. For the essentials, residents have a Walgreens close by on Bank Street, and the nearest grocery stores are Stop and Shop and Aldi west of the neighborhood in the Waterford Shopping Plaza on Route 1.
Written By
Christopher Kopczynski
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Coon
Video By
Adam Lapallo
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Laurie Hayes-Hagstrom
Laurie Hayes-Hagstrom
On The Move Realty, LLC
(959) 242-2260
277 Total Sales
1 in Willetts
$226,600 Price
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Dan Contino
Dan Contino
eXp Realty
(959) 215-6603
186 Total Sales
3 in Willetts
$169K - $335K Price Range
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Janet Cronin-Rumanoff
Janet Cronin-Rumanoff
William Pitt Sotheby's Int'l
(475) 267-0994
40 Total Sales
1 in Willetts
$147,000 Price
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Amy Rubin
Amy Rubin
Responds QuicklyWilliam Raveis Real Estate
(959) 500-6792
94 Total Sales
2 in Willetts
$288K - $310K Price Range
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Kristopher Tramont
Kristopher Tramont
Real Broker CT, LLC
(959) 949-1560
320 Total Sales
6 in Willetts
$160K - $325K Price Range
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Jacqueline Kapusta
Jacqueline Kapusta
Navick Properties LLC
(959) 201-9201
44 Total Sales
1 in Willetts
$235,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Ocean Beach Park
Fort Trumbull State Park and Museum
Caulkins Park
Green Harbor Park
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Willetts | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 5 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Willetts Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Willetts, New London sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Willetts, New London over the last 12 months is $288,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$289,900
Median Sale Price
$288,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$288,950
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
33
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$214
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
730
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1915
Months of Supply
0.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,715
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,983
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
750
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,937
Median Age
39
Population under 18
23.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$55,972
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$65,587
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.8%
College Graduates
24.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.5%
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
64
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
66
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
26
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Coit
Historic homes and global eateries within walking distance of Downtown New London
Jefferson
A largely Spanish-speaking community near New London city attractions and beaches
Downtown New London
A dining and transportation hub with historic homes and condos on the Thames River
Parker
New London neighborhood boasts access to downtown, shopping and parks
Ridgewood
A coastal community with beaches, a cove, a historic mansion and a theater school
Riverside
A highly connected yet peaceful riverside retreat in New London
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