Hallsville - Manchester, NH

Once known for harboring the largest cotton mill in the world, the city of Manchester has a significant place in the history of the area. Not only was cotton manufactured in the area, but so were shoes, rifles, sewing machines, paper, cigars and fire engines. The community once thrived as an industrial center.

Even today, the significance of the 19th century in Manchester remains evident throughout the architecture in the city. This is partly the reason why many 19th-century homes and facilities make up a majority of the Hallsville neighborhood. While community events aren’t common in the neighborhood, downtown Manchester has numerous art shows and theater productions at the Palace Theatre on Hanover Street. Museums, such as the Zimmerman House, also exist nearby if learning more about your surroundings interests you.

Ethnic restaurants and traditional American diners are all located within blocks of one another. The area provides the perfect environment for eateries to thrive. For instance, locals love the Taqueria la Guadalupana on Valley Street. This small Mexican diner accepts take-out and delivery orders, with a few tables inside if you want to order and eat right away. For a couple of burritos, you might only pay around $14, and the residents claim the place has some of the best tacos around.

If you are interested in other types of ethnic cuisines, check out Café Momo on Hanover Street. The Nepalese café incorporates sweet and spicy flavors into its traditional American concept food items. The warm cozy restaurant with pulled-back curtains separating the dining rooms serves authentic food without any flavor enhancers. Try the large portion of goat curry rice for $17 or the vegetarian dish paneer for $15.

Even closer than the many nightclubs, lounges and pubs in downtown Manchester, lies the East Side Club on Massabesic Street. This dive bar features plenty of space for locals to gather for live music and cheap cold beers at the end of the workday. The Salona Bar and Grill provides yet another nearby space to drink with friends. It even has a menu with classic Italian and American dishes.

Because Hallsville lies in between I-93 and State Route 3, the neighborhood offers quick access to other major cities and their surrounding areas with its well-maintained road network. Streets such as Hanover and Valley provide most of the excitement in way of shopping and eateries. The most common form of transportation used in the area is driving a car. The average commute to work remains around 30 minutes.

Public transportation hasn’t ever been too much of a necessity in the region, and, therefore, cab services remain rare. However, Uber provides an UberX ride to Boston when requested. Other rather common forms of transportation include bicycling and walking because most streets have accompanying sidewalks. Parking lots and on-street parking make it easy to stop anywhere in the community.

Small playgrounds for children and grassy areas for pets to roam in while on their leashes are available within the neighborhood’s borders, while bigger parks can also be found within proximity. Steven’s Park on Tarrytown and Mammoth Roads has a huge playground, a baseball field and a basketball court. Let the little ones expend some energy after school lets out in the many safe areas. At the same time, put the dog on a leash and allow it to join the fun.

For more athletic fields and fun, check out Prout Park on the corner of Hayward and Young Streets. The mulch playground, baseball field and large picnic area allow for hours of fun outdoors. The newly constructed park has a lot to provide residents with when it comes to enjoying time together as a family.

Compared to the more central areas of Manchester and the downtown region of Boston, Hallsville rental properties can be acquired at a much lower rental rate. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom in Hallsville remains about $800 per month, while Boston’s average cost for a similar unit is around $2,000. The overall cost of living in the area also remains lower than that of nearby cities.

Fuel cost is nearly 1 percent higher than the national average cost, but remains quite steady. For a draft beer at the local pub, you can anticipate paying $3, while a meal cost averages about $8.

The shopping in Hallsville consists mainly of antique shops and other small, privately owned businesses. The store Antiques on Elm sells rare and unique antiques. For very special pieces for the home, this place might have what you have been looking for. You can spend hours in this store browsing through the old furniture, dolls, collectibles, china sets and other old fashioned finds.

If you cross over I-93, you run right into the Thrifty's Second Hand Stuff shop. This shop buys, sells and trades. Everything from classic, pristine automobiles to framed documents and vinyl records showcased in the showroom. This shop thrives with profit from the avid collectors in the area.

Major grocery chains such as Savers and Market Basket reside down the road, while other smaller markets also exist. Try the Bakola’s Market on Spruce Street for ethnic foods or the Pigeon’s Super Market for food and drugstore items.