About East Lyme
What it's like to live here
East Lyme is a New London County town of about 19,200 people on Long Island Sound, just west of Waterford. I-95 runs through town, so downtown New London is about 6.5 miles away, roughly 15 minutes, and New Haven is just under an hour. Niantic, on the water, is the busy village with the beaches, marinas and Main Street, while Flanders to the north is quieter, with orchards, the high school and Nehantic State Forest.
This was the home territory of the Nehantic people, who gave Niantic its name. East Lyme was incorporated in 1839 from parts of Lyme and Waterford. Flanders, on the Boston Post Road, was the original center, and George Washington stopped at its Caulkins Tavern in 1776. The shoreline railroad arrived in 1851 and Niantic grew into a fishing and beach village. The Thomas Lee House, built around 1660, is one of the oldest wood-framed houses in Connecticut.
Our Colchester office at 392 South Main Street is about 35 minutes north, and our East Hampton headquarters is at 40 West High Street. Our agents live and sell here.
East Lyme Highlights
- The one-mile Niantic Bay Boardwalk
- Rocky Neck State Park, its beach and 1936 stone pavilion
- McCook Point Park and Hole-in-the-Wall Beach
- The Thomas Lee House, built around 1660
East Lyme market at a glance
East Lyme real estate market
Year to date through August 2026, single-family homes in East Lyme sold for a median of $552,500, closed at a median of 100.8% of list price, and spent a median of 27 days on the market. At the end of August, 49 single-family homes were for sale (3.2 months of supply). Condos and townhouses sold for a median of $389,900.
Written figures: SmartMLS Local Market Update, single-family, year to date through August 2026. Charts update automatically from SmartMLS, include all property types, and show rolling 12-month data.
Neighborhoods
Getting to know East Lyme
Niantic
The beach village on Niantic Bay with Main Street, marinas, the boardwalk and the Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut.
Flanders
The inland village centered on Flanders Four Corners at Route 161 and the Boston Post Road, home to East Lyme High School and Flanders Elementary.
Black Point
A shoreline community on the Niantic side of town with its own beach association, the Black Point Beach Club.
Crescent Beach
One of Niantic's beach communities on Long Island Sound, with its own Crescent Beach Association.
Giants Neck
The beach neighborhood beside Rocky Neck State Park, near the Thomas Lee House on Route 156.
Golden Spur
The community at the head of the Niantic River, site of the 18th-century Beckwith shipyard.
Buying or selling
Why East Lyme?
Why buy in East Lyme
- I-95 puts downtown New London about 15 minutes away and New Haven just under an hour
- East Lyme Public Schools: Flanders, Lillie B. Haynes and Niantic Center elementary schools, East Lyme Middle School and East Lyme High School
- Beaches and trails at 710-acre Rocky Neck State Park, Nehantic State Forest, McCook Point Park and Hole-in-the-Wall Beach
- The one-mile Niantic Bay Boardwalk, plus Main Street shops, seafood restaurants and marinas
- History close to home at the Thomas Lee House and the Depression-era Ellie Mitchell Pavilion at Rocky Neck
Why sell in East Lyme now
- Single-family homes are selling in a median of 27 days (year to date through August 2026)
- Sellers are getting a median of 100.8% of list price
- The single-family median sale price is $552,500 year to date
- About 3.2 months of supply, still a seller's market
Questions
East Lyme real estate FAQ
What is the median home price in East Lyme, CT?
For single-family homes, $552,500 year to date through August 2026, according to the SmartMLS Local Market Update. Condos and townhouses: $389,900. The live charts above show the latest trend.
What is the property tax rate in East Lyme?
The mill rate for fiscal year 2026-27 is 28.95 for real estate, per the Town of East Lyme. That is $28.95 in tax per $1,000 of assessed value, and Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value.
How far is East Lyme from New London and New Haven?
Downtown New London is about 6.5 miles away, roughly 15 minutes via I-95. New Haven is about 42 miles, just under an hour, and Hartford is about an hour.
What schools serve East Lyme?
East Lyme Public Schools is the town's own district: Flanders Elementary, Lillie B. Haynes and Niantic Center School (K-4), East Lyme Middle School (5-8) and East Lyme High School (9-12).
Does Carl Guild & Associates have an office near East Lyme?
Yes. Our Colchester office at 392 South Main Street is about 35 minutes north, and our headquarters is at 40 West High Street in East Hampton. Call 860-474-3500.
Currently on the market
Homes for sale in East Lyme
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