West Side - Manchester, CT

Settlers arrived in Manchester in 1672, originally forming an agricultural community before the area began its industrial endeavors. The silk industry played a large role in the local economy during the 1800s through the mid-1900s, and the West Side neighborhood now houses the Cheney Brothers Historic District, an area that stood as the world's largest silk mill at the time. The mills have been transformed into trendy West Side apartments.

West Side has earned the reputation as Manchester's cultural hot spot. Explore the Fire Museum located in an old firehouse, or stroll through the Cheney Homestead Museum, an 18th-century house with artifacts and artwork from the period. Also check out the Manchester History Center. Living in this thriving district also places the city's biggest events at your fingertips, such as the Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving.

West Side stands as Manchester's culinary heart with local dining establishments for every taste and a bit of industrial flair. Discover a spread of upscale French bistros, zesty Mexican restaurants, All-American breakfast cafes and Vietnamese eateries scattered along Main Street. The neighborhood doesn't have much in terms of nightlife, but you can always grab a drink at the local grills or take a short drive into downtown Hartford.

Stop by Mulberry Street Pizza to sample an assortment of creative pizzas with flavors and toppings just as unique as their quirky names. Don't hesitate to try the Italian Job with its lemon cream sauce or the Gladiator loaded with the works. If you prefer a plain cheese pizza, be sure to ask for it well-done for a chewy treat. Don't forget to order a cocktail from the full bar while you gossip with your neighbors.

Serving up some of the best huevos rancheros and chicken enchiladas in town, Los Sarapes might trick you into thinking you're dining in Southern California. Order a refreshing bottle of Jarritos soda to enjoy with your chips and salsa, or take advantage of the restaurant's BYOB policy with free glassware for your drink.

Getting away from the busy Main Street, The Gathering Restaurant lets you start your morning off right with a plate of blueberry grain and nut pancakes, or Irish eggs Benedict. Next-door Cosmic Omelet gets packed during breakfast hours, but The Gathering stands as a hidden gem with a small yet loyal crowd of patrons. Be sure sample Our Favorite, a hearty platter filled with crispy hash, home fries, poached eggs and a few slices of toast.

West Side residents enjoy easy travels through the neighborhood by car, bus or bike, and convenient access to Interstate 384 and Center Street provide an easy commute to the Hartford metro area. Enjoy plenty of free parking even along major roads such as Main Street. If you need a quick pickup, call the ride-share service Uber or a local Manchester Cab for a ride.

CT Transit dispatches several buses to the neighborhood with several stops along the roads near West Side's boundaries. Although you find no bike lanes here, the Charter Oak Greenway runs along the freeway for a comfortable cruse to Main Street. Pedestrians have a hard time running their errands on foot, but the downtown area welcomes foot traffic.

If you don't want to empty your wallet with another shopping spree, enjoy some free entertainment at one of the neighborhood's public parks. Center Memorial Park stands as the central meeting area of downtown Manchester and features paved walking paths along with plenty of green space to walk your dog. The park also hosts Pride Week events like free outdoor concerts.

West Side lies adjacent to Charter Oak Park, a sports-centric park catering to fitness enthusiasts. Take advantage of basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields and softball fields, or head to the paved path for some biking and rollerblading. Families love to take their kids here for a game of tag or Frisbee.

The overall cost of living in West Side hovers a bit above average with a standard one-bedroom apartment costing around $1,000 a month. Taking the bus to Main Street or downtown Hartford costs around $1.50, and gas prices hold steady at around 11 percent above the national average. When you go out for a beer at Mulberry, be ready to pay upwards of $6 for your favorite brew.

Situated along Main Street, West Side's old-school shopping scene features a selection of furniture stores, bead shops and bridal boutiques. Explore the traditional downtown-style retail strip complete with historic brick buildings to find whimsical gifts and home decor, and enjoy plenty of street parking with even more spaces in the lots around the back. Local boutiques and hobby shops carrying moderate-priced items dominate Main Street, making for an exciting shopping experience. Far from your typical bead shop, Harvest Beads & Silver enchants customers with an exotic display of fantastical home decor, incense and jewelry. Pick up some beads and semi-precious gemstones for your own crafting projects, or browse a selection of ready-made silver jewelry. Search for tapestries and unique gifts, or just stroll through the store to soak in the cool atmosphere. Whether you need to find a new guitar or repair an old one, Beller's Music has you covered with a sunlit showroom stocked with instruments from top brands and a staff with a passion for music. Locals also come here to receive lessons for guitar, banjo, ukulele, piano and nearly every other instrument you can imagine. If you don't find the sheet music you want to buy, just let the staff know so they can print it out for you. When your grocery day rolls around, pick up all your basics at ShopRite, Save-A-Lot, Desi Grocery, or grab a few snacks at 7-Eleven. Also be sure to check out the local farmers market in downtown for some fresh produce.