Tenant Base and vacancy rates in New London

[James Lapp]

I'm new to the southeast CT and am looking to purchase multifamily properties in New London area. 

I'm trying to get a sense of (1) vacancy rates and (2) what I can expect as a tenant base.  

For example, I looked at this 8 unit property last week: https://www.zillow.com/homes/79-garfield-new-london-ct_rb/2079955341_zpid/. While clean, the units are very basic, and I can't imagine anyone from the major employers (Electric Boat, Lawrence & Memorial, etc.) renting in a 5+ house in that area of NL. Seems like they have better options. Am I wrong here? Would a property such as this be targeting mostly Section 8? They were renting at ~700-750 including heat. 

What also surprised me was how vacant a lot of the 5+ properties on the market are. Anyone have data / perspective on vacancy rates in New London?

Ultimately I'm trying to find the "sweet" spot for outsize returns in the New London market is in terms of # beds, neighborhood, tenant base, etc.? All opinions welcome!