$420,340Average Value$259Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Small rural community with a rich agricultural history
Gently rolling, wooded hills and seemingly endless stretches of verdant farmland comprise the small town of Preston, located just east of Norwich in Southeast Connecticut. The community celebrates a rich history as an agricultural hub during the Industrial Era. Established in 1686, Preston City anchors the rural enclave at the crossroads of Jewett City Road and Shetucket Turnpike as the original town center, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Today, Preston still maintains a prosperous agritourism industry that draws residents to its natural setting. Realtor Heidi Cordray of Carrington Real Estate Services says she and her husband moved to Preston in 2011 to be in the countryside. “Preston is peaceful and very quiet,” she says. “I’m close to everywhere, yet I’m in the woods, so it’s nice and private. Between the occasional red hawk, mountain lion and bear sightings, I’d say it’s pretty rural.”
Soar above Preston Village for stunning aerial views of farms and greenery.
Welcome to Preston Village. Experience the town’s charm with this welcoming sign in CT.
Take in stunning aerial views of Preston’s corn farms for a scenic experience.
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Preston’s history before the Industrial Era
Before Preston’s legacy as an agricultural town began, the land was occupied by Native Americans – the history of which is on display at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. Located just south of Preston, the museum features 85,000 square feet of indoor exhibitions, such as a recreated 16th-century Pequot village and life-sized dioramas of animals from the Ice Age. Locals can dive even further into the town’s history at the Preston Public Library, which has been serving the community since 1898.
Visit the Mashantucket Pequot Museum for Native American history, minutes from Preston, CT.
Discover stories and activities at the Preston, CT public library with kids.
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Seasonal outdoor events in full bloom
Preston’s booming agricultural businesses flourish in the spring through fall when local farms invite visitors to their grounds for a host of community events. “Tulips are big for about 2 weeks around Mother’s Day, there’s a big sunflower festival in the summer and the scarecrow fest in fall,” Cordray says. Wicked Tulips Flower Farm bursts with over 100 varieties of tulips in the springtime, allowing locals to pick their own batch of blooms from the farm’s fields of 700,000. The nearby Buttonwood Farm in Griswald has been a beloved mainstay since 1975. Though the farm is known for its 50-plus flavors of ice cream, the grounds beckon visitors during the summertime when its sunflowers create a sea of yellow. The Sunflowers for Wishes event takes place for a week in July and raises funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut. Open in the fall, Preston Farms Corn Maze celebrates the change of seasons with its towering corn mazes, and offers live music entertainment and bonfires on Fridays and Saturdays through October.
Enjoy creamy ice creams at Buttonwood Farms, made with milk from happy local cows, Preston.
Enjoy a taste of local delight with ice creams from Buttonwood Farms, Preston.
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Preston’s ponds, trails and parks
Cordray says Preston’s abundance of lakes, campgrounds and parks makes it a haven for recreationists. Strawberry Park Resort Campground and Hidden Acres Family Campground are both situated within Preston and offer a natural respite for RV and tent camping. Amos Lake and Avery Pond appeal to boaters and paddlers, who take to their tranquil waters from the boat launches. Locals partake in more waterside activities along the Thames River and Poquetanuck Cove, where anglers and eagles alike flock for blue crabs, alewife and striped bass.
Town parks allow for additional recreation. The Preston Community Park provides a playground and athletic fields, while the adjacent Milton Green Park welcomes visitors to its peaceful pond and picturesque open spaces. The Tri-Town Trailhead starts just south of both parks, stretching across 14 miles through Ledyard to Bluff Point State Park along the state’s southern coast.
Spend a fun day kayaking with friends and family at Beachdale Pond, minutes from Preston, CT.
Preston Community Park offers playgrounds, baseball fields, and hoops for fun, in Preston, CT.
Enjoy a refreshing walk on the Tri Town Trail, adjacent to Preston Community Park, Preston.
Relax amid the beautiful ponds and greenery at Shantok Park in Preston, CT.
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Colonial and ranch-style homes reflect the town’s heritage
The early 19th-century homes built by the town’s rich farmers and businesses mirror its richness in architecture. “Colonials are big here, as well as one-level ranch styles,” Cordray says. Colonial styles range from quaint farmhouses dating back to the late 1800s to transitional-style custom builds erected within the last 10 years. Regardless of age, the homes feature details true to colonial architecture, from symmetrical facades to classic window shutters that contrast with lighter exteriors. A few Cape Cods reflect Connecticut’s coastal charm and the town’s many ranch homes vary greatly in size – some spanning over 2,000 square feet. “There’s a lot of new construction, too,” Cordray says. “Land is going up for sale, and a lot of new homes are being built in the community.” The town’s character continues to change as more farmland gets developed. Prices for real estate typically start around $130,000 and reach $742,000.
In Preston, CT they feature a diverse selection of beautiful Raised Ranch homes.
Preston, CT boasts a variety of elegant Colonial home styles that add charm to the town.
Discover the perfect Ranch style home in Preston’s charming neighborhood.
Discover diverse Cape Cod home styles in Preston, CT with stunning options.
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Preston schools and neighboring high schools
Preston Public Schools serves elementary and middle school students. Kindergarten through fifth graders may attend Preston Veterans’ Memorial School, which earns a B grade from Niche. They can matriculate to C-plus-rated Preston Plains Middle School. Students may then choose from a variety of nearby high schools to continue their education, such as Norwich Free Academy, a B-plus-rated private school. B-minus-graded Griswold High School serves students in the public sector and offers high-achieving STEM and Esports programs.
Preston Veterans' Memorial School serves Preston, CT and surrounding towns.
Preston Plains Middle School in Preston serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
Ledyard High School celebrates it's school spirit through it's athletic program in Ledyard, CT.
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City center mainstays, vineyards and shopping at the outlets
A handful of locally owned dining establishments are found within Preston City. Village Pizza serves classic pies off Route 165, while Farmhouse Bake Shoppe creates tasty treats in their wooden shack just north of the town center. Located between the Poquetanuck Cove and Thames River, David’s Café provides traditional American fare on the west side of Preston. Locals can visit the tasting room at Preston Ridge Vineyard for an afternoon of wine sipping and live music on the bucolic 60-acre property.
Though Preston Supermarket offers conveniences closer to home, residents tend to head outwards for groceries and other necessities. “Norwich, Montville and Groton are all about the same distance from Preston,” Cordray says. Grocery store options include Walmart, Stop & Shop and ShopRite of Norwich.
The collection of brand-name stores at the Foxwoods Tanger Outlets attracts swaths of shoppers just south of Preston. Familiar names include Levi’s, Guess and Nike. The outlets sit alongside the Premier Theater and Great Wolf Lodge waterpark next to the Foxwoods Resort Casino, making the entire site a destination for shopping and indoor recreation.
Discover fresh, local goods at the indoor Farmers Market at Holmberg Orchards, Preston.
Tanger Outlets, minutes from Preston, CT, is the go to spot for local shopping.
Preston residents drive just minutes to Norwich for groceries at Walmart.
The Great Cedar Casino is a quick drive from the heart of Preston, CT.
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Enjoy farm views and lush green lands along Route 164 and 165 in Preston, CT.
Getting to Norwich, Rhode Island and beyond
Connecticut Route 2 cuts through the length of Preston, intersecting with state highways 165 and 164. These major thoroughfares connect Preston residents to Groton within 17 miles, Montville within 14 miles and Norwich within 4. A few bus stations along Route 2 link commuters to Norwich, and locals are only a 40-mile drive from the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport for further travel.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sara Vegliante,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Howard T Brown Memorial Park
Stoddard Hill State Park
Preston Park
Preston Community Park
Milton Green Mem Field
Fort Shantok State Park
Mohegan Park
Beachdale Pond
Tri Town Trail
Transit
Airport
Rhode Island Tf Green International
67 min drive
Bus
Rte 12 & Kozoil Rd
Bus
Rte 12 & Rte 2A
Bus
Seat
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Preston
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Preston, CT sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Preston, CT over the last 12 months is $396,013, up 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Back on the market, due to buyer unable to finance. Explore this recently painted and updated home. Move-in ready, bring your things and enjoy the charm. Modern updates with spacious rooms. Each of the three levels includes a bedroom and bathroom. Two fully equipped kitchens. The main level offers open concept living with a living room, dining room, and kitchen to keep guests in one great area.
Explore the potential of this 3.46-acre parcel along Route 2, just minutes from Foxwoods Resort Casino. Zoned Resort Commercial (RC), the property offers a range of possible uses, including retail, restaurants, office space, and entertainment venues. Special permit uses allow for hotels, mixed-use developments, and recreational facilities, subject to town approvals. With an average daily traffic
Level & cleared land located in a quiet residential neighborhood. Lot is located walking distance to Thames River and also minutes to highways, shopping, dining, medical amenities, etc.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sara Vegliante,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,562
Median Age
47
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$100,846
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$113,319
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.5%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
25.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.2%
% Population in Labor Force
67.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
36''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
19/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 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.
