If it were me, I would be looking north of New London, not East or West. I95 can be a nightmare during a commute that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I would be looking for somewhere in Montville, Uncasville, or even Salem. I would rather a longer drive once a week to go to Mystic or some other entertainment'y place vs living in the entertainment'y place and commuting an hour each way in traffic every day for work.

Remember, we're very different than you realize when it comes to travel. Do not plan on taking a train, subway, or bus to work. Everyone in this part of the state drives to work, and they almost all use I-95. A little weather makes the whole interstate a parking lot down there. If you're north of New London, you can go in to work on back roads and avoid the interstate.