"Manchester is the place where people do things...'Don't talk about what you are going to do, do it.' That is the Manchester habit." (- Judge Parry, "What the Judge Saw")
Just a few miles east of Hartford lies Manchester, one of the key retail hubs in the state of Connecticut. The town, along with neighboring South Windsor, houses an enormous shopping mall and The Shoppes at Buckland Hills, in addition to several other malls and store strips. Whether residents want to stroll along the gorgeously landscaped Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk, or take in a movie at the state-of-the-art Rave Cinemas—they even have a Ben and Jerry's, Starbucks, and restaurant/bar inside!—there are tons of things to do. And don't forget the farms; tons of pick-your-own farms are either in Manchester proper or within just a few miles.
Situated in the center of Connecticut, Manchester has easy access to major highways, including I-84, I-384, and I-291 (which quickly connects to I-91)
"Manchester is the place where people do things...'Don't talk about what you are going to do, do it.' That is the Manchester habit." (- Judge Parry, "What the Judge Saw")
Just a few miles east of Hartford lies Manchester, one of the key retail hubs in the state of Connecticut. The town, along with neighboring South Windsor, houses an enormous shopping mall and The Shoppes at Buckland Hills, in addition to several other malls and store strips. Whether residents want to stroll along the gorgeously landscaped Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk, or take in a movie at the state-of-the-art Rave Cinemas—they even have a Ben and Jerry's, Starbucks, and restaurant/bar inside!—there are tons of things to do. And don't forget the farms; tons of pick-your-own farms are either in Manchester proper or within just a few miles.
Situated in the center of Connecticut, Manchester has easy access to major highways, including I-84, I-384, and I-291 (which quickly connects to I-91). Just a few minutes east of Hartford, Manchester has a lot to offer for those looking to live the suburban life while having an easy commute, and those looking for a hopping neighborhood with lots to do. In an area that is covered by farms, Manchester is a welcome hub of culture, retail, and food. Just make sure to start your search early as the housing recovery is booming, and many new constructions and other highly sought after locations may sell or rent to you quick but have much later move in dates.
Neighborhoods
Main Street/Center Street: The Main Street/Center Street area, smack dab in the center of the town, is one of the more historic areas, with only a few residences being built after 1970. This is a great area for affordable, character-filled apartments, as a majority of the area has either homes broken up into separate apartments, or small apartment buildings. It is also one of the more urban parts of Manchester, so if you don't want to drive everywhere it's a good place to have walking access to restaurants and shops.
Buckland Hills/Oakland: This area is filled with luxury communities. These communities are usually a separated area of 20 or more two- to three-floor apartment homes, often with attached garages. Enjoy amenities like fitness centers, swimming pools, clubhouses, and in-apartment washers and dryers. They have granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, and central air and heat. This area is perfect for being close to the mall, the highway, and everything else you could possibly need.
Highland Park: Anticipate a long real estate process if you want to move to Highland Park, as there are very few home vacancies—it's such a desirable area of Manchester that all the beautiful single-family homes are taken up!
Bush Hill Road/Keeney Street: If you're in the market for a new construction home, one that you can possibly even customize as it's built, then check out the new communities being built west of Keeney Street. Although the houses are close together, you won't be able to find more beautiful homes for the price they are selling at. Don't wait, because the quicker you decide to buy here the more say you'll have in the construction! Just imagine the walk-in closet, granite countertops, and crown molding opportunities!
S. Main Street/I-384: If you go east of S. Main Street you will find a lovely, reasonable area to live in. A huge draw of this particular neighborhood is Case Mountain, with the widely used Carriage Path fire road that leads to the summit of Lookout Mountain and offers panoramic views of the area. Go fishing, ride a horse, or hike the trails and see nature's beauty on the weekends, while enjoying modest homes and kind neighbors. Also enjoy the golfing and other perks that Manchester Country Club, which straddles Main Street, has to offer.
