115 Flax Hill Rd

Located just four miles southwest of Downtown Norwalk, the Brookside district blends ease of access to urban amenities with the relaxed pace of suburban life. Within the neighborhood, brick buildings share the streets with residences finished in wood siding, and narrow avenues meander through properties dotted with old-growth trees. When it's time to pick up the pace, residents step outside the quiet confines of the neighborhood, hop on Interstate 95 and put on some miles.

You can find scattered apartment rentals throughout the neighborhood, but if walkability is your thing, nothing beats rentals located at the area's northern tip and along its northeastern border. Don't even think about parking spots or gas pumps. Just lace up your shoes and head to one of the many restaurants just blocks away. A 10-minute walk gets you to the nearby Maritime Aquarium, where locals love to commune with sharks, tortoises, and otters.