$475,564Average Value$235Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Rural, countryside lifestyle blends with an active community
A rich agricultural heritage and surrounding waves of open fields, wetlands and rolling hills make it clear to see why residents of Salem are drawn to the town’s bucolic setting in eastern Connecticut. However, the town’s active community and robust calendar of events maintain its close-knit feel. “Salem is a sweet, small town with a rural feel,” says Veronique Chechile, a librarian at the Salem Free Public Library who moved to Salem 5 years ago with her family. “We love the community. There are a lot of wonderful, dedicated people who love the town.” Paired with top-rated schools, a handful of well-loved local eateries and rustic homes that add to the town’s idyllic charm, Salem offers a countryside lifestyle just 12 miles from Norwich.
Salem is surrounded by lush green rolling hills.
Stop into Meagog Market for the freshest produce in Salem.
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Visit the Salem Free Public Library for local events and the latest releases.
Events for all ages at the library and Salem’s Apple Festival
The close-knit community bands together during the town’s wide range of events, including the Salem Memorial Day Parade and Salem Road Race 5K. The Salem Free Public Library serves the community through an array of events. “The library puts on a lot of events that are typical for a library,” Chechile says. “For the size library we are, we offer a ton of programs and learning opportunities.” She notes that the annual garden party and seed library is an especially popular event, as well as the annual Used Book Sale, which both attract swaths of local and regional readers. The library also hosts an array of year-round classes, workshops and programs for all ages. “The kids programs fill up quickly and are very popular and well-attended,” Chechile adds. When the leaves change color in the fall, Salem prepares for its most popular event of the year. “One of the biggest events is the Apple Fest, which is like Salem’s official fall festival,” Chechile says. “People come out and are waiting in line for it to open at the beginning of the day.” Taking place annually at the end of October, the fest consists of apple-themed treats, local vendors, arts and crafts, and live music.
Outdoor recreation amidst Connecticut’s forests and ponds
A spiderweb of creeks flows through Salem, and a handful of ponds create craters in the village’s landscape, offering an abundance of outdoor recreation amidst the natural Connecticut terrain. Chechile says the town brims with hiking trails, including the 1-mile Salem Multipurpose Trail that runs through downtown. Located along Salem’s east side, Gardner Lake features nature trails and hiking paths around the scenic waterside, and it also appeals to recreational boaters and anglers eager to catch bass and catfish. Campers enjoy the many campgrounds strewn across the town, including Witch Meadow Lake Campground and Salem Farms Campground. Devil’s Hopyard State Park spans 860 acres west of Salem, with hiking trails that snake through forests and lead to the 60-foot-high Chapman Falls. In town, Round Hill Park provides athletic fields, baseball diamonds and paved courts for basketball and tennis. Chechile says residents also take advantage of the school’s amenities. “We have two really beautiful playgrounds and a great track at the school that people are allowed to use when school is not in session,” she says. “My kids love to go to the playground, and residents run the track often.”
Visit Gardner Lake for a delightful outing.
Kids can enjoy the playground at Round Hill Park in Salem while parents enjoy the shade.
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Rustic architectural styles add to Salem’s rural charm
Set among the town’s wooded hills and farmland, single-family homes perch on larger properties with ample space between neighbors, adding to Salem’s rural feel. Transitional colonial styles are most common, varying in size and peppered between classic ranch-style homes and smaller split-levels. Country Cape Cods also make up a large part of the housing inventory here, many featuring Dutch Colonial influences such as gambrel roofing and dormer windows. Prices for single-family homes typically range between $150,000 and $800,000, though outliers include waterfront estates along Gardner Lake that fetch up to $6 million.
Classic Colonials can be found tucked into the woods all round salem.
A variety of home styles can be found along Gardner Lake in Salem.
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A-rated schools in New London County
Salem Elementary School serves just under 400 students in kindergarten through eighth grades and boasts an A from Niche. Ranked as the No. 1 best public middle school in New London County, the school also has high marks in Teachers and Academics. After graduating, students can matriculate to East Lyme High School. The A-rated high school offers a range of courses and electives, from STEM to Humanities.
Salem Elementary receives an overall score of A from niche.
Welcome to East Lyme High School located in East Lyme, CT.
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Local stores, antique shops and Salem’s collection of eateries
A cluster of locales in the town’s center offers conveniences close to home. Two antique stores - 2 Sisters Trading Post and Another Man’s Treasure - stock their shelves with unique finds. Dollar General and Henny Penny Convenience Store fulfill everyday necessities, but Chechile says residents usually head to Colchester or Norwich for groceries and other needs, depending on where in town they live. Italian classics like pasta dishes and stuffed calzones are on the menu at The Plum Tomato, while Two Brothers Pizza serves traditional pizza pies and stacked subs. Salem Prime Cuts is a butcher shop with a deli counter that Chechile says is popular among residents. Folks can start their day with a cup of coffee from Wicked Southern Coffee and enjoy happy hour at Fox Farm Brewery after a long workday. For a sweet treat, locals head to Salem Valley Farms Ice Cream. The seasonally open shop has been a longstanding mainstay since 1988, serving homemade ice cream in a rainbow of unique flavors from their classic red barn location off Haddam Road.
Pick through the amazing antiques at 2 Sisters Trading Post in Salem.
Visit Fox Farm Brewery for amazing local craft brews in Salem.
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At the crossroads of Routes 82 and 85
State Routes 85 and 82 cross through Salem and link to Route 11. Norwich is a 12-mile drive via Route 82, and Colchester is a 7-mile drive north via Route 85. The town is equidistant from both Route 2 and Interstate 395. For further travel, Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is 61 miles from Salem.
Route 85 runs north-south right through Salem.
Routes 85 and 82 converge in central Salem.
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Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Colin Gee
Video By
Tyler Newbold
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Amy Rubin,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Salem, CT sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Salem, CT over the last 12 months is $400,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath Colonial offers the perfect blend of comfort, space, and efficiency, set on a peaceful 2.3-acre lot. The light-filled, open floor plan features a front-to-back living room with a cozy gas fireplace, a formal dining room with hardwood floors, and a large kitchen with granite countertops, an eat-at bar, pantry, and a sunlit dining area with sliders to an
5-acre lot on Old Colchester Rd in Salem! Slightly sloped terrain offers flexible building options and privacy from the road. Zoned residential, ideal for a custom home, small farm, or recreational retreat. Wooded surroundings provide seclusion while still offering convenient access to Hartford, Norwich, New London, and the shoreline. Well and septic required. Located near Gardner Lake State
Step into this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home designed with comfort, convenience, and style in mind. At the heart of the home is a fully renovated kitchen, showcasing sleek quartz countertops, a butcher block island, and stainless steel appliances-perfect for cooking, entertaining, and gathering with family and friends. The spacious primary suite provides a private retreat with
This 6.1 acre parcel of treed, non-divisible, undeveloped land offers the rare advantage of designated wetlands that ensure preserved privacy. Located in the desirable town of Salem, known for its rural appeal and strong community. This parcel provides a natural setting and residential development potential. Additionally, the added possibility for agricultural use, such as small scale farming or
Welcome to this inviting 4-bedroom, 3-bath split-level ranch, set on just under five acres of peaceful, private land in Salem. Thoughtfully designed, the split layout creates a bright and open feel while providing plenty of space for everyone.The main living areas are warm and welcoming, featuring a pellet stove for cozy winter nights and efficient mini-splits for cooling in the summer.
Newly Renovated & Move-In Ready Welcome to 103 Horse Pond Road - a beautifully updated rental that is ready for immediate occupancy. Enjoy fresh renovations throughout, water included in rent, additional storage space, and the convenience of a coin-operated washer and dryer on-site. Application through rentspree, Income must be at least 2x rent, Security deposit: 1.5 months, Maximum 4 adults; all
Great opportunity to rent this well-maintained one-bedroom, one-bath end unit with a/c unit in living room. Conveniently located off of Rt. 85 with easy access to Hartford, New London, Norwich, and Groton. Features include shared card-operated laundry in the basement and a private storage locker.
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