One of your first priorities will need to be a car in eastern Connecticut. If you live close to the center of a town, like Willimantic and Rockville (they're downtown sections within larger towns, you'll get used to it), you'll likely be able to find a bus route to UConn. But overall the public transport network is very lacking if you're used to European standards, especially so in the eastern half of the state because it's more rural.

Busses are free right now so if you're willing to spend the time it's a way to save money very easily. $78,000 is doable for a couple in the area