Located along Long Island Sound, Old Lyme, Connecticut is an artist’s paradise. Old Lyme is famed for the birth of the American Impressionist movement in the early 1900s. Artists flocked to this beach community, with its soft rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean, amber grasses swaying in the fall breeze, and opulent colonial mansions. Today, Old Lyme still has a vibrant artist community and is highly favored by artists and outdoor enthusiasts. The ocean near Old Lyme is a playground for sailors and those that enjoy the sea. On land, Old Lyme features plenty of outdoor spaces as well as charming parks and serene golf courses such as the Blackhall Club, a top-rated private golf course. With a quaint downtown and highly rated schools, Old Lyme is a wonderful place to raise a family.
Old Lyme is a highly sought-after area in New England and the real estate market reflects that. When you’re ready to start looking for houses for sale in Old Lyme, it’s important to look not only for the home that you want but also for the neighborhood in which it’s located. This guide will help you understand what to look for in your neighborhood search in addition to your home search.
Amenities
When choosing a neighborhood, it’s important to consider what amenities are nearby, and how close they are. How far is the grocery store? Is it easy to walk a few blocks and grab a missing ingredient, or will you have to drive to the store? How close is the nearest gas station or pharmacy? Do you enjoy working out at a fitness center, or getting your nails done weekly? Think about all of the different places you go during the week and how close or far these may be in your new neighborhood. Certain neighborhoods have more convenient amenities than others, and this should be taken into account in your neighborhood search.
Dining and shopping
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Another factor to consider when choosing a neighborhood for your new home is the convenience of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Some neighborhoods may have easy access to restaurants and coffee shops, even within walking distance. Other neighborhoods might be quieter. It’s up to you to decide what is most important and find a neighborhood that fits your preferences.
Similarly, some might enjoy living in an area with easy accessibility to shopping and entertainment options. Whereas others may prefer a quiet and peaceful neighborhood. Old Lyme has options for everyone, with some neighborhoods offering privacy and seclusion and others being located closer to Lyme Street in the historical district with access to shops and dining nearby.
Outdoor space
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Another consideration when choosing a neighborhood is the access to outdoor space. If you enjoy the outdoors, there are plenty of neighborhoods in Old Lyme with beautiful, serene outdoor spaces. Rocky Neck Beach and Soundview State Beach are two beautiful, white sand beaches located along Long Island Sound in the Old Lyme area. With restaurants, walking paths, and plenty of beach facilities, the parks here are perfect for any ocean lover. Ferry Landing State Park also has plenty of walking trails and opportunities to explore the seashore. Other neighborhoods within the Old Lyme area also are close to golf courses, parks, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Accessibility
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When choosing a neighborhood, it’s also important to consider the accessibility to other cities and transportation. Old Lyme is a few hours' drive to New York City on the highway and has access to several major airports including Hartford and Providence. You’ll also want to consider the accessibility to your work or school as well. Consider how important the length of your commute is to you. Do you prefer to have a short commute to spend more time with your family? Or perhaps you prefer a longer drive to have some time to yourself after work. Either way, consider how long your commute will be to work or school based on the neighborhood of your new home.
Schools
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If you have children, it’s important to also consider which schools they will attend based on the neighborhood you choose. Old Lyme is served by Lyme-Old Lyme Schools and offers highly rated public schools for elementary through high school. Different school districts have different zoning regulations about which neighborhoods attend which schools, so choosing a neighborhood may be important depending on the city you live in.
Work with a professional who knows the area
Choosing the right neighborhood is an important and exciting decision. Your neighborhood holds a lot of value for your own life, as well as the resale value of your home. Certain neighborhoods are incredibly desirable and will have a greater capacity as an investment compared to others. Thus, it can help to have a great real estate agent working with you to help you choose the best neighborhood and ultimately choose the best property for your investment.
Real Estate Agents are real estate professionals that are licensed through the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) and are held to the highest standard of ethics. A REALTOR will work diligently to help find you the right home, help you create the best listing, and ultimately get the best deal possible.
When you’re ready to start your home search in the Old Lyme area, Nancy Mesham and her team can help you find the perfect neighborhood. Nancy Mesham is one of the top agents in the Old Lyme area and has the expertise, creativity, and dedication to help you find the perfect home. Working with Coldwell Banker's marketing tools and market share, Nancy and her team have ample listings to create leverage to help you meet your real estate goals.
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