2021 Most Diverse Places to Live in New London County

Poquonock Bridge

• grade B

• grade B+

• grade A+

• 2,098 Population

New London

• Town in Connecticut
• Rating 3.36 out of 5  97 reviews

Former Resident: My husband was born in NL and spent many years there, although as a Navy Family they moved around a bit. We are now retiring and are selling our property in the Chicago IL area and will move to NL. Here in the Chicago suburbs, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a work in progress. We can't wait to get to New London where in some small way we can advocate for people of color. If a white person smiles at a black person, they will smile back ten fold. People of color are just so used to be disregarded by white people. NL has so much to offer everyone. Let's work together to give a hand and a heart to our brothers and sisters and the beautiful children that might be in need in NL and across this nation...Read 97 Reviews

• grade B

• grade C

• grade A+

• 26,966 Population

Norwich

• Town in Connecticut
• Rating 3.11 out of 5  135 reviews

Current Resident: Norwich is starting to gentrify very well. Over the past two years there have been new restaurants, art galleries and coffee shops opening in the area. The houses are beautiful and the neighborhoods are clean and well kept! I am thankful to be closer to down town so I can enjoy the beautiful waterfront during the warm summer months. There is a boat launch and long docks to take walks on. Restaurants that over look the marina are a common summer lunch spot. Live music at multiple bars and restaurants is something that is not uncommon during the week and weekends, all seasons of the year. The police in this area are friendly and effective...Read 135 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade C minus

• grade A

• 39,260 Population

Groton

Former Resident: I loved growing up in Groton! There was always something to do nearby and it's nearby so many beautiful places and things to do! I think the thing that I would most like to see change would be transportation accessibility...Read 87 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• grade A

• 38,825 Population

Long Hill

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• grade A

• 4,369 Population

Montville

Current Resident: It's a quiet, safe, friendly and easily sociable environment. For the past 4 years that I've lived in Montville, I have made many friends in my neighborhood. There are so many different opportunities educationally and job wise in Montville. I personally have loved living in my neighbor hood with my mom and my little sister, where we feel completely safe and comfortable playing in our front yard with safe drivers and neighbors surrounding us everywhere we look. I actually have a friend that lives directly across the street, whom i love dearly, and her family and mine always have family events and meals together; along with other neighbors. We all met through a friendly yard sale I was having, which also sparked many other friendships with fellow Montville townspeople...Read 35 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• 18,835 Population

Baltic

• grade C

• grade B minus

• grade A minus

• 1,237 Population

Old Mystic

Nearby Resident: Old Mystic is NOT a town. It is part of Groton, CT. This is important to know if you are researching schools, taxes, property restrictions and so on.Read 6 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• grade B+

• 3,383 Population

Ledyard

Current Resident: I have lived in Ledyard for a little over a year and a half now. The people here are so welcoming and friendly, and always open to help one another. I love the people and how I am surrounded by nature. What I hope I hope to more of in the future is more places and opportunities for the towns people to connect with one another. Also would love to see less budgets towards the schools for it takes away from the child's learning experience. When classes are being cut which lessens their opportunities or seeing their favorite teachers be let go when they have been able to find someone to connect with that helps them succeed...Read 49 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• grade B+

• 14,761 Population

Jewett City

• Town in Connecticut
• Rating 3.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: I like how close everything is like the school system to my house.but i would change the people that live there because of all of the drugs and really bad parts of the town.Read 6 Reviews

• grade C

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• 3,385 Population

East Lyme

Current Resident: I was born and mostly grew up in East Lyme. For a part of my life I was lucky enough to live and travel the world, affording me an understanding and realization of how truly blessed and lucky I was to have grown up in such a lovely town. My husband and I are now retired, and East Lyme will be our last home. This extremely friendly, safe and open minded town is truly a "little piece of paradise" in a crazy world!...Read 44 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• grade B+

• 18,724 Population

Pawcatuck

Current Resident: Pawcatuck is a very friendly and welcoming town. The community is always ready to work together and it's a great place for families to grow.Read 9 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• grade B+

• 5,305 Population

Sprague

Niche User: This area may not be the most luxurious of areas however, I love living here and wouldn't change my circumstances. I personally believe that happiness should not rely on the quality of where you live, but your perspective on making your own happiness in life...Read 6 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• 2,906 Population

North Stonington

Former Resident: The people here are so kind, and the relaxed lifestyle is so peaceful! There are plenty of events like the North Stonington Fair that bring people together. Lots of space for families or farms, and just the right amount of shops to get what you need. Like southern country living, above the Mason Dixon!...Read 25 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• grade B

• 5,223 Population

Preston

Current Resident: I like that it's a quiet and peaceful place. I like that Norwich is close by. The library is not that far. There are a few restaurants in the town or nearby. The Preston park is five minutes from my house and is a really nice place. It consists of a tennis court, basketball court, softball/baseball fields, a sand track, two playgrounds, three swing sets and a woods area. Overall, Preston is a really nice place...Read 2 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B

• grade B

• 4,657 Population

Waterford

Current Resident: I enjoy living in Waterford, Connecticut. I have lived here for my entire life. My favorite thing about Waterford is all of the beaches. I enjoy going down to the beach with my friends in my free time. I also enjoy being able to walk down to the beach, with how close it is. I also enjoy the aspect of knowing almost everybody in this town. All of my close friends live here, whom I have known for my entire life. ...I also really enjoy the restaurants. There are different restaurants that my family and I enjoy. For example, we really enjoy Filamenas, Crown, NV Bakery, and more!Read 71 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 18,935 Population

Griswold

• Town in Connecticut
• Rating 3.74 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: I was born and raised in Griswold, and I believe that the town had a large impact on my healthy and happy childhood. I woke up every day excited to go to school because all of the classmates were friendly and cared about one another. The music department in the public schools is wonderful and truly prepared me for an exemplary high school music career. The schools are safe and well-rounded. The town feels quite yet neighborly at the same time. Jewett City is an adorable little city within the town where you can feel part of a larger community while still living in a quiet suburb. There are a variety of sports leagues for students of all ages. The property’s have large and scenic yards and there are always neighbors around. Griswold has various places that are local treasures for nearby residents, including Buttonwoods Farm, Hopeville Park, and a variety of locally owned restaurants and businesses...Read 23 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• grade B

• 11,622 Population

Stonington

Current Resident: Stonington is a very nice town; When it comes to views, it is one of the most beautiful areas on the Connecticut coast. With this, there is a lot to do in the town during the summer months from concerts to food events to festivals. This comes with a downside, that in the winter, there is not much going on. Overall a great place to live!...Read 17 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• grade B

• 18,445 Population

Colchester

• Town in Connecticut
• Rating 4.14 out of 5  28 reviews

Current Resident: Colchester is an amazing town filled with chances to learn and grow with the community. There are so many kind people along with and abundance of wonderful small owned businesses and restaurants! The town itself is has beautiful parks and fun places to spend your time. The schools are full of amazing staff members who connect with their students as best they can and really teach beyond the curriculum. They provide students and families many opportunities to be involved and share their passions...Read 28 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• grade B

• 15,860 Population

Salem

Current Resident: We really love Salem! We also love TCCSalem, the church right on the town green. They are invested in families and the community. Don’t miss the Cruise for a cause and Applefest!Read 5 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• grade B minus

• 4,112 Population

Franklin

Current Resident: It is a great small town. With a close community. Close to cities yet far enough away. Has many great hiking trails!Read 4 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• grade B minus

• 1,778 Population

Bozrah

Current Resident: Beautiful little Town that is mostly rural. Short drive to Norwich for anything you might need. Grocers, hardware, restaurants, bars, casino, many small service businesses. Drive time to Hartford = 35 mins, Groton/New London = 20 mins. Jobs available at EB shipyard, Casinos, Navy contractors, etc Great little Elementary school (Fields Memorial) and Norwich Free Academy which is a unique school. Privately run that area Towns choose to send their kids to. Many offerings, but you get out of it what you put into it. My children did well and all 3 went on to College. Bozrah is a great place to live and raise a family in. If you don't need a Starbucks on every corner (but there IS one in Norwich!) and are very low crime and comparatively lower taxes, check out Bozrah...Read 4 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• 2,589 Population

Old Lyme

Current Resident: It's an amazing, small, family friendly town. Everyone knows everyone. You feel safe and secure in this town. There isn't much to do or many restaurants but there is plenty in neighboring towns.Read 8 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• grade B minus

• 7,396 Population

Lebanon

• Town in Connecticut
• Rating 4.29 out of 5  21 reviews

Current Resident: Rural community with most working people commuting outside of Lebanon. Historically a farming community and many working dairy farms here. Typical southern New England feel with many colony era homes. Lebanon Green is a historical site. Rolling hills, heavily forested area. Be aware that Connecticut taxes are some of the highest in the US...Read 21 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• grade B minus

• 7,215 Population

Niantic

Current Resident: Niantic is an adorable, quaint little town in a nook of East Lyme. While the town is small, the events Niantic holds are larger than life!Read 20 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• grade B minus

• 2,935 Population