OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

Enjoying life is easy in Norwich. Housing options range from traditional New England style farmhouses, to middle 20th century (1930s), to modern developments and condominiums, and just a few minutes from the City Center you’ll find true rural living. In Norwich and the surrounding towns you will have access to high quality urban, suburban and rural housing that suits your taste. Little wonder that Norwich is called the “Rose of New England” Norwich is a long established city with a strong sense of community and neighborliness. There are several neighborhood sections in the City, each rich in character and steeped in the history of Norwich, each representing a different stage in the City’s development.

Downtown: 
Just north of the junction of three rivers, the Shetucket, the Yantic, and the Thames, is the commercial core of Norwich.  The historic downtown, or Chelsea Landing Area of Norwich, was once a major center of trade and commerce for Connecticut. The World class Norwich harbor is the focal point of the Downtown and it attests to the maritime heritage of the City. 

Downtown is comprised of a dense core of mostly intact 18th century buildings, many of significant architectural character with a picturesque harbor at its center.  Located at the harbor is American Wharf, a world class, full service, 200-slip marina complex offering, casual dining, banquet facilities, evening entertainment, and scenic walkways along the river.  The Downtown is known for its history, its quiet beauty and its close proximity to an amazing variety of activities and attractions.

Some areas of interest include:
Downtown Historic District • Jail Hill Historic District • Norwich harbor River Vistas • Heritage River Walkway

Taftville/Occum: 
Located in the northeast section of Norwich, this district is characterized by the remnants of mill villages that were built in the mid 1800s along the rivers.  They are very distinct neighborhoods that consist of typical mill housing and a smattering of neighborhood businesses.  They are the older of the mill villages, constructed around thriving mill complexes, and are still self contained communities with a variety of land uses. 

Some of the interesting sites and elements of these neighborhoods include:
Historic expansive Ponemah Mill Complex • River vistas along RT 97
Occum Riverside Park • Taftville Reservoirs and Park

Norwichtown: 
Located in the north central section of Norwich, this area is defined by its prominent historic greens and hundreds of residences of notable architecture from the 1700s and 1800.  The neighborhood includes the Norwichtown Historic District, the oldest settled section of the city and Chelase Parade Green, home to many of Norwich’s  finest architectural gems.  This district is also the location of significant open space resources including the 400 acre Mohegan Park and Indian Leap Park.  In contrast, West Town Street, the major thorough fare in this area is lined with commercial shopping areas including the Norwichtown mall.

A few not to miss sites include:
Norwichtown Historic District • Norwich Free Academy
Slater Museum • Mohegan Park • Yantic River & Indian leap
Falls Mill • DAR Museum • Chelsea Parade historic District

Plain Hill:  The high rolling plateau land that stretches northward from the Norwich Business park defines the area.  This is an area of contrast between dense industrial development and open farmland.  Located in the northwest section of Norwich it is characterized by high rolling land to the north and farmland vistas.  Wawecus Hill is a residential area of rolling farmland and extensive woods in the south western part of Norwich

Elements of interest include:
Norwich Business Park • Yantic River Vistas • Bean Hill Historic District
Yantic village • Open Farmland and Scenic Ridges

Greenville: 
Located in the east-central section of Norwich, Greenville was home to thousands of workers employed in the mill and industrial buildings along the Shetucket River dominating the riverfront.  There is a densely developed village area in the southern part of this area; dense mill housing and a commercial strip-mall business configuration  lining the major arteries characterize the village area.  The east side of Greenville is bordered by the Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor. 

Interesting sites and elements of this neighborhood include:
Capehart Mill Complex • Miantonomo Monument
Greenville Dam and Canal • Shetucket River

East Side Area:
Located in the southeast section of Norwich, bounded by the Thames River to the west and Preston to the east, the East Side neighborhood is characterized as densely residential with houses lining the steep sided plateaus overlooking the Thames and Shetucket Rivers.

Significant elements include:
Thames River • Norwich Hospital Historic district
Laurel Hill Historic District • Scenic Ridgelines

West Side Area:
This neighborhood is known for diversity.  Located in the southwest section of Norwich, it is dominated by the largest commercial shopping corridor in Norwich.  Dense mixed urban development is found in the area nearest to downtown while suburban like residential areas and newer commercial development lies west along route 82, and just south of the city line is the Mohegan Sun Casino. 

Significant elements of this neighborhood include:
Access to the Thames River • Trading Cove • Norwich Inn and Spa
Uncas on Thames State Campus • Norwich Public Golf Course