Connecticut Magazine Rates The Towns—And New London Comes in 36th

If you think New London is one of the best places to live in Connecticut, then you're probably going to disagree with Connecticut Magazine's annual ranking of the towns. 

The latest issue of the magazine rates all the towns in the state, grouped together by median home sale price. New London falls into the category of towns with a median home sale price of $175,000 or less, and it's ranked a lowly 36th out of a total of 39 cities and towns in that particular group. 

In previous years, Connecticut Magazine had grouped towns by population for judging purposes. This year, the magazine decided it would be a fairer comparison to group towns using median home sale prices as the main measuring stick. Connecticut Magazine considered the following criteria in making its final assessment: crime; education; community engagement; culture/leisure; and economy.  

New London was low on the list but it scored top marks in the category of culture and leisure. Its many arts and cultural organizations put it in the number one spot, and was the only town to get that ranking in this category. The city fared poorly in other areas, however. The city's crime rate ranked it at 39, the worst possible rating. It was rated 38th in education, 38th in economy, and 36th in community engagement.

The town that took the top spot in New London's category was Colebrook. Here's how New London stacked up against other towns in New London County that fell into the median home sales price of less than $175,000: 

• North Stonington—tied for 4th place with Stafford
• Sprague—10th
• Griswold—12th
• Montville—15th 
• Lisbon—21st, tied with Killingly
• Norwich—31st
• New London—36th

• Colchester—14th
• Franklin—18th
• Ledyard—20th
• Waterford—22nd
• Lebanon—23rd
• Bozrah—26th
• Preston—33rd
• Groton—40th.