Cheapest Ocean front in Connecticut

[Mario B.]

Hi All!

My wife and I are testing the water for the best bang for your buck home in CT, ocean front, or a quick walk.  Fixer upper with future equity potential, potential for a big upward market swing, and strong rental rate.  Budget is under $175k.  

We have a primary residence, we're looking for a weekender home with the potential of renting it out possibly 6 months out of the year, full time in the short term, or just during the peak summer months; areas of CT that attract a strong summer rental market.  I have no education beyond Fairfield County. 

All opinions welcome.  Thanks!

[Curran D Bishop]

@Mario B., I moved from Carbondale IL for work. I looked at New London and think it's a fantastic town, probably going to see increases in value IMHO: its got great "bones" as a city, is starting to "urbanify" (trendy places starting to open) but it's way behind the curve, and it seems to me the hipsters there are still young and haven't started having kids/figuring out how to make the city work with kids--so prices are dirt cheap. Great beaches when you get out of the Thames and onto the actual coast of the Sound, puts you a couple miles from the "downtown" but still within city limits. I should note I've done a lot less research on New London than I have on Milford. I ended up settling on Milford because my work requires me to be in New Haven about four days a week and I didn't want the commute from New London--but I was really impressed with both towns. Also check out the village of Niantic just outside of New London.