Situated just two miles from downtown Hartford, Parkville mixes urban and arty into an eclectic residential neighborhood. Small businesses and restaurants line Park Street, a walkable area that serves as the neighborhood's artery. Here, locals can walk from their apartments to share a pint at the bar or grab a pie from George's, the Parkville's standby pizzeria.

A CTfastrak station provides lightning-speed commutes into downtown Hartford or to nearby West Hartford and New Britain on a bus-only road, giving residents flexible transportation options. Farther east, the destination-bakery Tastease attracts customers from all over the city with icing-festooned donuts in such flavors as key lime and cookies 'n' cream.

Once home to typewriter companies including Underwood and Royal, Parkville's historic factories now house artist's studios, lofts, galleries, and Hartford's first makerspace, MakeHartford. Real Art Ways screens independent films and displays contemporary art.