Barry Square - Hartford, CT

Barry Square holds a rich military heritage, with the central area having served as an encampment during both the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. Military leaders chose this location due to the expanses of open fields west of the current Campbell Avenue. Father Michael Barry and his parish built St. Augustine's Church here in 1902, and the neighborhood quickly grew as Hartford's original Irish community.

For a taste of local culture, stroll through the Widener Gallery at the college to see a unique collection of paintings and prints in rotating exhibits, or create your own masterpieces while sampling wine at Paint Nite. Barry Square also lies just minutes from annual events like the Hartford International Jazz Festival and First Night Hartford, a popular New Year's celebration.

Barry Square's multicultural heritage comes alive in its unique dining scene that caters to the lunch-hour crowd. Find everything from Latin American restaurants and hometown diners to Italian sandwich shops and neighborhood butchers scattered along Maple Avenue. Whether you want a cheap meatball sub or some jerk chicken for lunch, explore several humble cafés within a short walk of your home. When the sun goes down, the thriving restaurant scene becomes Party Central with a diverse spread of clubs, bars and taverns that serve up cold cocktails and late-night entertainment.

For home-style Italian favorites with a generous helping of Southern style, sit at one of the picnic-style tables at Maple Giant Grinder & Pizza. A steady stream of locals packs in for famous sandwiches like the steaming eggplant Parmesan sub, and the selection of fried pockets, hot pizza and cheese-smothered lasagna tempt even the most health-conscious visitors. Be warned that a full-sized giant grinder lives up to its name, so you may want to split it with a friend or two.

Stop by Sun Splash Jamaican Restaurant if you crave spicy Jamaican take-out at great prices. Try the zesty jerk chicken salad or jerk pork, or go with the beef patty and a side of fried plantains. For an extra special treat, try putting your beef patty inside the coco bread and savoring the unique flavor combination. Although Sun Splash puts a few tables outside when the weather permits, you don't find a lot of seating on the inside, making this an ideal choice for a picnic at the park or a take-home dinner after work.

Jam out to your favorite rock band at the Webster Theater, a modern venue housed in a restored Art Deco building. For a cold beer and some gourmet pizza, swing by the First & Last Tavern. The happy hour specials always draw a crowd, and you get a big bowl of focaccia and French bread from the bakery across the street when you order a meal.

Whether you take the bus or drive your car, Barry Square's convenient location makes for a quick commute to downtown. The neighborhood lies less than 1 mile from both Interstates 91 and 84, and locals enjoy free parking even along main thoroughfares like Maple Avenue. For a quick ride, call a ride-share service like Uber or a Hartford Area taxi.

Enjoy ample public transportation from anywhere in Barry Square with the CT Transit buses servicing most major roads. Bicycle enthusiasts don't find many bike-friendly roads in the neighborhood, but students can cruise down a number of bike paths snaking through the college. If you prefer to venture out on foot, enjoy an easy walk to the local markets.

When you want to escape the urban jungle on your day off, head to one of the neighborhood's public parks for some much-needed relaxation. Head to Colt Park South to watch a game at the ball parks or play on the tennis courts. From there, walk to the main Colt Park area to let your kids climb on the playground or take a dip in the outdoor pools for a small fee. You can also shoot some hoops on the basketball courts or play a game on the football fields. Barry Square also lies adjacent to Rocky Ridge Park near Trinity College, a cozy green space where locals come to walk their dogs and watch their kids run around on the playground.

Barry Square residents enjoy a cost of living that falls below average for the Hartford metro area. The neighborhood hosts a large selection of apartment complexes, with a standard one-bedroom dwelling costing around $750 per month. Taking the bus to downtown usually costs around $1.50 for a one-way trip, and gas prices hold steady around 10 percent above the national average. When you go out for a beer at one of the local bars, expect to pay around $4 to $5 for your choice ale.

Located just a short bus ride from downtown Hartford, Barry Square puts the city's biggest shopping areas at your fingertips. Craft stores, upscale fashion boutiques and galleries make for an exciting shopping spree, but you can run most of your errands without leaving Barry Square thanks to a generous assortment of neighborhood markets along Maple Avenue. If you keep your eyes open, you'll also find a few hidden gems near the college.

If you're an avid bookworm, be sure to check out The Jumping Frog for a vast selection of used books at prices that keep you coming back week after week. This shop stocks novels, pamphlets and books from every genre, but its true charm lies in its vintage collection of older copies. Here you find first-edition copes of Tolkien books, magazines from the 1970s and classics printed in the early 1900s.

Whether you're on the hunt for a classy casual outfit or a new suit for an interview, head downtown to check out Stackpole Moore Tryon Tuesday's. This high-end boutique for men and women stocks blouses, dresses, suits and jackets from top designers for a fashionable display straight out of New York. Subdued colors and stylish designs reflect the shop's emphasis on business-casual wear, so stop by to pick up a few outfits for work that are sure to get you compliments.

From well-known supermarkets to local mini marts, Barry Square has a place to grab your groceries around every corner. Pick up all your staples at C-Town Supermarket, or stop by the mom-and-pop Romny Mini Mart. Don't forget to check out the farmers market at Billing's Forge in downtown to find local produce, fresh-baked pies, homemade BBQ sauce and beading supplies.