Home to the U.S.'s Naval Submarine Base, Groton has the distinction of being the location where the first ever nuclear powered submarine was built. In 1954, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower broke a celebratory bottle of champagne across the sub's bow as it headed towards the Thames River.
What a whale of a tale. Groton is ideally situated midway between the major New England city hubs of Boston and New York. Tucked between the Mystic and Thames Rivers, Groton is home to a variety of industries and educational organizations, including medical supply manufacturing, a U.S. Naval Submarine Base, Electric Boat, the Global Research and Development campus of Pfizer, Inc., the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and The University of Connecticut Marine Sciences Center at Avery Point. When lamps were lit by whale oil and the whaling industry was in its heyday, Groton was an international whaling center. Since the whaling industry is frowned upon, it is now extinct in Groton. In its place are the shopping and tourism industries. If whales are your thing, there are still plenty of stuffed ones to choose from.
Moving to Groton
If you are looking for places to rent in Groton, you will have no trouble finding something to suit your picky tastes. The Groton area was one of the earliest settlements in our country and the tradition of settling in Groton is alive and well.
Finding a Rental
The occupancy rate in Groton is the ideal place for your search for apartments. What that means is there is a lot available places for renters to choose from. Before beginning your hunt for the perfect rental apartment in Groton, you will want to do your homework. In this case, saying the dog ate your homework won't fly. You will need to figure out exactly what you want in apartment to rent before setting out on your hunt so you don't get overwhelmed with the various choices out there. Are you looking for a studio to rent on the water or a two-bedroom apartment in the hub of the city center? Making a list and defining your rental priorities will ensure that your search for a rental goes quicker. Failing to do so might result in a prolonged search, leaving you camping out on your friend's couch with their 100 pound dog for longer than you both like. He claims you snore.
Neighborhoods in Groton
Groton offers a host of neighborhoods to choose from when looking for places to rent. You can step back in history and live in a historic village or set up camp in a modern-day apartment or townhouse for rent. The choice is yours. Here are a few options to choose from.
Groton Long Point: Meandering along the Long Island Sound, rentals in this suburban neighborhood are mostly in single-family homes and small apartment buildings. Here, the rental availability is extremely tight so expect to take a little longer to find something in this summer destination neighborhood. There is a yacht club here and a neighborhood association.
West Mystic: Located to the west of the Mystic River, this suburban coastal neighborhood is a tourist attraction. You will definitely find rentals here in this historic part of town, but be prepared for summer traffic winding its way through the area.
Old Mystic: Old Mystic, as you can guess by the name, is an old neighborhood. Despite that, it is also a hub for the tourism industry and offers some modern amenities like restaurants and an aquarium. Here, you will find a handful of apartment complexes offering one and two bedroom apartments for rent alongside houses for rent.
Shennecossett Rd/Branford Avenue: This neighborhood runs along the water and offers studio apartments for rent, as well as up to three bedroom houses. Here, you will be outside of the touristy area and tucked away in a more suburban neighborhood.
UConn Avery Point: This neighborhood is like living in a small college town. The Avery Point branch of the University of Connecticut is located here along with the Shennecosset Golf Course. This neighborhood is on the waterside, and rentals here will ebb and flow with the seasons of student rentals.
Groton Town Center: This neighborhood runs along the Thames River and is home to Washington Park. Here, renters will find a variety of rental options to choose from. You will also be in easy access to shopping, restaurants and other entertainment.
Poquonock Bridge: This is a coastal, suburban neighborhood and the home to Haley Farm State Park. This neighborhood is made up of mostly older, established residents.
Military Highway/Lestertown Road: This neighborhood offers easy access to the Groton Square Shopping Center and definitely has the urban sprawl feel. This neighborhood offers convenient access to the highways and shopping and is made up of mostly townhouses and apartment complexes.
Living in Groton
Centrally located in New England in southeastern Connecticut, Groton offers a host of conveniences, making it extremely livable. There are beaches, shopping, biking trails, renowned restaurants and even a dedication to cultivating strong relationships with man's best friend with a Central Bark Dog Park.
Park it in Groton
Within Groton are three Connecticut State Parks offering lots of recreational and historical intrigue.
Bluff Point: This park features hiking and biking trails along Long Island Sound. Make sure to bring a camera--there are lots of wildlife photographing opportunities.
Haley's Farm: This old, scenic shoreline farm is now a preserved open space. It's another great spot for biking and walking.
Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park: This park has a dark history. On this spot in 1781, Benedict Arnold (yes, that one) commanded his troops to capture the fort. They massacred more than half of the defenders. Rumor has it you can still hear the battle cries.
Dining in Groton
Something else Groton is known for besides loads of rental options and great parks is its restaurant scene. Here, you can find fresh seafood, salads, gourmet dinners and farm-to-table hot spots. So, grab your lobster bib and get packing.