Canterbury Green - Fort Wayne, IN

Built in 1970, the neighborhood of Canterbury Green began to form soon after the establishment of Indiana-Purdue University. The complex grew along with the university, becoming a popular place of residence for both students and faculty.

Residents enjoy several festivals throughout the year, such as the Johnny Appleseed Festival. Held in Johhny Appleseed Park where its namesake lies buried, food vendors sell every apple dish imaginable. Visitors also rummage through boxes and tables in the flea market area and browse the tents of artwork made by local artists.

Locals fill the streets of downtown during the Three Rivers Festival, where they eat funnel cakes and candy apples from food vendors and attend nightly concerts. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art houses an extensive collection of American artwork and features rotating exhibitions as well. The museum also sponsors parties, auctions and concerts throughout the year.

A shopping center to the north of Canterbury Green provides residents with many restaurants, but these tend to be fast food restaurants or bars due to the large college student population. An upside of this comes in the form of cheap dining options and specials at many restaurants. Peanuts attracts a sold group of regulars that enjoy 50-cent wing specials on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These pair well with a basket of hot fries and cold beer from the bar. Live music on weekends creates a lively atmosphere ideal for social gatherings.

Corner Pocket Pub features wing specials on Mondays and Wednesdays, so crowds tend to oscillate between this establishment and Peanuts, depending on which one has wing specials that night. In addition to wings, Corner Pocket has an extensive menu that features more than just bar food, such as the Buffalo chicken pizza and French dip sandwich. Be sure to add on an order of Krystle fries, a plate of fries topped with a special blend of seasonings. The many billiard tables draw in customers looking to play after eating.

After a night out, people grab breakfast at Cosmos, where the Fort Wayne Benedict, with poached eggs and ham on an English muffin, remains a popular selection. The restaurant really stands out with its hot stacks of pancakes, which you can customize with strawberries, blueberries or bananas. Be sure to arrive early on weekend mornings because the line quickly stretches out the door into the parking lot.

On weekend nights, flashing spotlights shining into the sky beckon party goers to Piere's. This multi-venue night club features live music every weekend and several dance floors. While college students comprise a large portion of the patrons, people drive from all over the region to hear their favorite bands play. Residents of Canterbury Green enjoy a short walk home at the end of the night, but they can also arrange free shuttle rides.

Living in Canterbury Green requires a vehicle for transportation. While the neighborhood is ideal for recreational walks, you need a car to access shopping areas and grocery stores, which tend to be very spread out. Fort Wayne has limited public transportation and only one route runs near Canterbury Green. Most roads have neither bike lanes nor sidewalks, making biking or walking nearly impossible. These two modes of transportation become even more precarious during winter when snow piles up along roads and temperatures regularly dip below freezing. Although Uber doesn't service the area, residents can call one of the many taxi companies that operate in the area to arrange a cab ride.

Businesses in Fort Wayne provide lots of free parking, so finding a space rarely costs you money. To get out of town, hop on I-69 located just a few miles from Canterbury Green.

Residents enjoy playing golf on the greens that surround the apartments, but the course only opens to golfers. A few parks throughout the area provide playgrounds for kids and open areas for games.

For more recreational opportunities, take a short walk to Shoaff Park, which features more amenities than any other park in Fort Wayne. Basketball courts, tennis courts and baseball diamonds provide visitors with many recreational opportunities. Use the boat ramp to take a kayak down the St. Joseph River, which runs along the edge of the park. The 2 miles of trails within the park remain popular among both joggers and dog walkers. Picnic shelters and barbecue pits combined with free admission also make the park a great place for parties and social gatherings.

Residents of Canterbury Green as well as the rest of Fort Wayne enjoy very low living costs. The cost of living in Fort Wayne dips 17 percent lower than the national average, and median monthly rent for a one-bedroom residence in Canterbury Green runs around $500. Gas prices sit on par with the national average, and a beer costs around $4 at local bars. Taking the bus from Canterbury Green to downtown Fort Wayne costs $1.25.

Residents of Canterbury Green enjoy access to Glenbrook Square Mall a few miles away, anchored by Macy's, Sears and JCPenney. A number of high value stores like Target and T.J. Maxx also reside nearby. Many locals shop for groceries at Kroger and Meijer. A farmers market operates in the parking lot of the Allen County Library each weekend during the spring and summer months.

Hyde Brothers Booksellers looks a like set from a movie, with endless rows of bookshelves that go from floor to ceiling and run through multiple rooms. As one of the largest bookstores in the state, this Fort Wayne landmark contains upwards of 150,000 titles, including some copies that date back several centuries. Bring in the books you've read and trade them in to buy more. Frequent book signings by authors also make this store a popular place among residents.

Before exploring the lakes and campgrounds of northeast Indiana, stop by Earth Adventures Unlimited to pick up a new backpack or tent. Weekly classes teach outdoor enthusiasts a variety of subjects like cooking, rappelling and orienteering. Head down to the basement, which has been converted into a bouldering gym, to hone your climbing skills.