A suburb situated between historic Norwich and New London jobs
In 1850, a historic neighborhood sprung up on the hillside along the Thames River south of Downtown Norwich. This was how Laurel Hill got its start. Most homes in that area are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Farther south, the American Thermos Bottle Company opened its Laurel Hill Plant in 1913. It’s now repurposed with condos, loft-style apartments and a new charter school. Even farther south, the true heart of Laurel Hill is its suburban homes. Judd Fertman, an investor and Realtor with Signature Properties of New England, has flipped homes in Laurel Hill. He credits the neighborhood’s privacy and location as big sellers to potential buyers. “It’s on the outskirts of Norwich,” he says, “not the country, but a quiet community with easy highway access.” Filled with Cape Cods, ranches and colonial-style homes, Laurel Hill is a hotspot for buyers who want quick access to the city without the higher cost of living.“The neighborhood is on Route 12 within 10 miles of the Coast Guard Academy, the Naval Sub Base and Electric Boat,” says Associate Broker-Realtor Monica Obuchowski, also with Signature Properties of New England. “Home prices are affordable, and investors are buying and fixing up houses to meet the demand.”
Laurel Hill
A quiet neighborhood with classic suburban homes
While Route 12 runs through Laurel Hill, the neighborhood doesn’t have the noise levels of urban centers in Norwich or New London. Cape Cods, some with oversized dormers, full basements and plenty of off-street parking enjoy quieter surroundings here. Ranch-style homes are also common and feature finished basements, attached garages and large backyards with porches and decks. Colonial-style homes are the largest, some with five bedrooms and over an acre of land. Living space in these homes tends to be large, with extra rooms like sun porches and offices or loft areas in garages that provide extra storage. “With Electric Boat hiring 5,000 new employees, we have a housing shortage right now,” Obuchowski says. “The market is so hot that buyers need to jump on opportunities when they come.” Single-family homes in Laurel Hill sell for $200,000 to $400,000.
Building skills for tomorrow at Norwich Technical High School, preparing futures in Norwich, CT.
Hands-on, student-focused schools serving Laurel Hill
Laurel Hill is part of the Norwich Public School District, which receives a C from Niche. Schools that serve the community include Veterans’ Memorial Elementary, also C-rated and within walking distance of most homes. Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle scores a C-minus and features hands-on labs in media, coding and robotics, science and music. Families can also choose Integrated Day Charter, a PK-8 school that earns a B and is in the former Thermos factory complex along the Thames River, less than a mile north. Students at the charter school can explore and research topics of interest and are encouraged to have a voice in the school community. Norwich Technical High School, another B school, offers career preparation in graphic design and digital media, health technology, carpentry, biotechnology and several other fields.
Union Station in New London is the nearest Amtrak station with service to Boston and New York.
Public transportation and other Norwich resources
While Route 12 doesn’t allow parking, the suburban streets of Laurel Hill are free of heavy traffic and walkable, though there are no public sidewalks. Southeast Area Transit of SEAT buses stop along Route 12 from Downtown Norwich going to and from Groton and New London. Union Station in New London is the nearest Amtrak station with service to Boston and New York, over 100 miles in each direction. Route 12 takes drivers into Groton, 10 miles south, where they can catch Interstate 95. Route 2A connects with Interstate 395, an alternative route to Boston. Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence is the closest airport, 45 miles east. The nearest medical center is Backus Hospital on Route 2 in Norwich, about 4 miles north.
Laurel Hill
Schoolyard recreation and Mohegan tribal amenities nearby
Laurel Hill has two forested open spaces, one near the elementary school and the other a few blocks north with a pond off Crouch Avenue. Area schools provide more recreation, such as Veterans’ Memorial Elementary and Integrated Day Charter playgrounds. Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle offers baseball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball courts and a running track. Norwich Technical High features more of these and includes a soccer field. Fort Shantok State Park on the western side of the Thames was the site of the principal Mohegan settlement in the 17th century. It features an archeological site, playground, baseball field, lake and walking paths.
Laurel Hill
Shopping, dining and attractions in and near Laurel Hill
JoJo’s Breakfast and Mexican Food restaurant is the only eatery in Laurel Hill. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers curbside pickup and special deals on bulk orders. The nearest shopping center is Montville Commons, 3.5 miles away on the western side of the Thames, where residents can buy groceries at Stop and Shop and get what they need at Home Depot for home projects. Just north of the shopping center, the Mohegan Sun Casino has given the green light to Great Wolf Resorts to open an indoor water park. It’s due to be completed by June 2025. The casino is only 4 miles from Laurel Hill and offers over 300,000 square feet of slots and gaming tables, dozens of restaurants and bars, and sporting events. South of the neighborhood, only 2.5 miles, is Holmberg Orchards, a family-owned farm that is now on its fourth generation of ownership. Visitors can pick apples, sample award-winning fruit wines and sparkling hard ciders, and shop at the farmers market, which has grown into a gourmet specialty foods shop.
Norwich Farmers Market
Farmers markets and fireworks at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park
The Downtown Norwich Farmers Market takes place on Wednesdays from July to October at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park, facing Norwich Harbor, where the Shetucket, Yantic and Thames rivers converge. This beautiful area is only 2 miles from Laurel Hill and is a great place to enjoy the market, park and rivers. In July, the Norwich Harbor Fireworks light up the night sky after an evening of live entertainment, crafts for kids and food in the park.
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.
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Prime Residential Lot with Water Views on 6.80 Acres! This 6.80-acre residential lot is in a suburban setting with 294 feet of road frontage in the R-20 zone. Utilities are available, including electric, public water, and public sewer. A plot plan/survey is available for reference. Its location provides easy access to Mohegan Sun, offering both convenience and accessibility.
We offer spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with river views, on-site amenities, and everyday convenience. Located on the bus line and just minutes from historic downtown Norwich, Thamesview makes errands and commutes easy.Enjoy peaceful living by the water with features like a swimming pool, fitness center, on-site laundry facilities, and more all in a quiet, welcoming
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
787
Median Age
36
Population under 18
22.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$92,708
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$97,466
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
78.1%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
17.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.4%
% Population in Labor Force
72.6%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
18/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
6/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
18/ 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.
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.
