Westville - New Haven, CT

Westville has had its share of interesting residents, including members of the Quinnipiac and Wepawaug Native American tribes and a feisty pirate called Captain Thunderbolt. The area was mostly known for its mills and manufacturing until Donald Grant Mitchell began its development during the 19th century. He was responsible for implementing many of the area’s parks while building the area up as a residential suburban neighborhood. His dream was realized by the mid-20th century, though it was long after his death.

Most of the popular museums are located in and around Yale University in New Haven, including the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, the New Haven Museum and the Jewish Historical Society. Westville has a vibrant arts scene that includes many galleries and studios, a summer concert series in the park and an annual ArtWalk festival that takes place every spring.

Most residents head into downtown New Haven to enjoy its vibrant culinary scene and nightlife, but Whalley Avenue in Westville has a few venues that attract the locals. The eclectic menu at Manjares features classic American and Hispanic-inspired breakfast and lunch items, including arepas, omelets, and the popular Naked Chicken Burrito. Head to Manjares on weekend mornings during the warmer months, grab a seat on the restaurant’s outdoor patio, and nosh on quesadillas while you sip a latte and watch the activity in the park across the street.

Westville residents flock to Lena’s Cafe and Confections for Sunday brunch. Located just a few doors down from Manjares, Lena’s serves up delectable brunch items, including Maine lobster omelets, grilled salmon salads, and a Gouda panini with roasted red peppers, mushrooms, and an avocado and basil mayonnaise.

Downtown New Haven has enough pubs, nightclubs, and evening events for everyone. Located near Yale’s Davenport College, Toad’s Place continues to be the hotspot for live music from up-and-coming bands and established favorites, while BAR holds one of the area’s most popular nightspots where guests can enjoy a variety of beers and ale while playing pool. Locals also know BAR for its unique pizzas that include seasonal favorites such as a mashed-potato pizza pie with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. For date night, Barcelona Wine Bar rates as the venue of choice.

Westville has plenty of options for transportation, though getting around by car remains the most popular choice. The Wilbur Cross Parkway on the north side of the neighborhood provides easy access to Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway, while Route 34 leads straight into downtown New Haven or neighboring Woodbridge. Metered parking remains plentiful, although most side streets have free parking.

Most of the residential parts of the neighborhood have spacious sidewalks, so there’s always plenty of pedestrian traffic when the weather allows. Very few streets in the area have bike lanes, so bikers should take care on any of the main roads. Though you might have to call to reserve a taxi, they prove plentiful. Uber also operates in the greater New Haven area.

Locals frequently head to the New Haven train station when they want to travel outside of the state. Amtrak provides service to Boston and beyond, and Metro North Railroad run direct service into New York City’s Grand Central Station. For travel within the city, New Haven Transit buses prove the most popular option, with fares starting at $1.20 for children and $1.50 for adults.

Though three parks call Westville home, Edgewood Park remains the most popular for everyone from budding athletes to those who just want to enjoy nature. It features basketball courts as well as soccer, rugby and baseball fields, and it also has a fully functioning skate park. Little ones love to feed the ducks and swans that frequent the park’s pond before heading off to one of the park’s playspaces. Edgewood Park also has a off-leash dog park run that attracts many locals with their furry friends when the weather cooperates.

The 400-foot basalt cliff called West Rock sits in the West Rock Ridge State Park, providing spectacular views of all parts of Westville. Plenty of biking and mountain biking trails exist, as well as the historical Judges Cave and Lake Wintergreen. West Rock Nature Center covers 43 acres at the base of West Rock. Though the actual Center has been closed due to budgeting constraints, nature lovers still visit the area to view the waterfalls, and flora and fauna that live there. Parking comes free for city residents, though they must get an annual pass.

When compared to the rest of Connecticut, Westville remains a relatively affordable place to live. Though its cost of living tends to be higher than the national average, it’s slightly lower than the state average, especially when it comes to housing costs with the median rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment running $1,175 per month.

Gas prices tend to run 17 percent or higher than the national average, but bus and rail fares prove affordable. Bus service from New Haven to Hartford costs roughly $5, while local bus fares costs only $1.50 for adults. On Metro North Railroad, one-way fares from the New Haven station into Grand Central Terminal range from $22 to $28.

Shopping remains limited in Westville, but a few boutiques lure in the locals. Sally Goodman Ltd. deals most in estate jewelry, marketing everything from vintage watches to art deco bracelets and even sterling silver flatware. Tennis professional Chris Gaudreau's Racquet Koop has been the place to go for anything tennis related for more than 20 years. Odeon Boutique carries everything from UGG boots to cocktail dresses and has been dressing Westville women for more than 30 years.

The Westville Kosher Market on Amity Road is a popular place to shop, whether picking up a last-minute rib roast or freshly-prepared foods to make dinner simple. Although a Super Stop & Shop sits near the downtown area, Westville's health conscious shoppers head to the Edge of the Woods Market on Whalley Avenue for organic and other healthy food items. The Cityseed Farmers Market at Edgewood Park operates on Sundays from early May through the end of October, selling the freshest produce and other food items that come right from many of the local farms.