This Hartford suburb constantly ranks among the best places to live in Connecticut, and for good reason – known for its serene hiking trails, vibrant nightlife, and prime real estate, Manchester is an established community that gives you a bit of everything.
Living in Manchester, CT
Manchester is an intriguing blend of urban and suburban, thanks to the co-mingling of families, young professionals, artists, entrepreneurs, and everyone in-between whose lives, memories, and contributions have left an indelible mark on the township.
The relatively small but diverse population of 58,241 (as of the 2010 census) is a memorable crowd – you’ll never meet anyone quite like Manchester’s residents, some of whom include former American running back Kory Sheets, UFC President Dana White, and many other notable individuals.
The town motto, “A City of Village Charm”, certainly captures the community’s upwardly mobile but unassuming residents and the small town atmosphere they create.
Manchester has 10 parks and 23 trails for outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the most popular parks and recreation areas in and around the township include:
- Charter Oak Park
- Union Pond Park
- Center Springs Park
- Case Mountain Recreation Area
This is by no means an exhaustive list – explore Manchester’s green spaces here, and its hiking trails, here.
The township’s commercial hub and malls also provide essential and non-essential goods and services:
- Downtown Manchester Special Services District brings your over 195 shops, restaurants, and offices as well as a vibrant town center. Hunt for bargains, sample local dishes, and paint the town on a Friday or Saturday night.
- The Shoppes at Buckland Hills has major retailers like American Eagle Outfitters, Barnes & Noble, and Macy’s as well as several casual dining restaurants serving Cajun, Japanese, New American, and Italian-inspired dishes.
How to get to Manchester, CT
Located in Hartford County, in the heart of North-Central Connecticut, the township encompasses 27.40 square miles. It lies approximately 40 miles from Long Island Sound and 8.48 miles east of Hartford with Silver Lane at the half-way point between the two communities.
Bordered by East Hartford to the west, South Windsor and Vernon to the north, Bolton to the east, and Glastonbury to the south, Manchester is accessible via sections of three interstate highways:
- I-84
- I-384
- I-291
I-84 provides access to Massachusetts and New York City.
Other main roads that provide access to Manchester include:
- Route 44
- Route 6
- Route 30
- Route 83
The nearest airports and heliports include:
- Rentschler Heliport (EHT) (approx. 8 miles)
- Hartford-Brainard Airport (HFD / KHFD) (approx. 12 miles)
- Bradley International Airport (BDL/KBDL) (approx. 21 miles)
- Southbridge Airport (QSO) (approx. 41 miles)
- Tweed New Haven Regional Airport (HVN/KHVN) (approx. 51 miles)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS/KBOS) (approx. 97 miles)
Residents are served by CT Transit, with local bus routes carrying passengers to various stops across the township.
A brief history of Manchester, CT
Once home to the Podunk and Mohegan Native Americans, Manchester as we know it today was founded by English immigrants in 1672. The Hockanum River ran through the township, providing a rich source of water that sustained its first woolen mills.
Notable residents such as the Cheney brothers and inventor Christopher Spencer guided the township to a manufacturing boom with their entrepreneurial streak, innovation, and philanthropy.
Manchester weathered the Civil War, Great Depression, World War II, and other devastating events to become one of the most prosperous and desirable places to live in Connecticut – it is a living, breathing testament to human resilience, ingenuity, and adaptability.
Houses for sale in Manchester, CT
The township consists of 13 neighborhoods that offer single-family homes, townhomes, and condos for sale:
- Buckland
- Robertson
- Buckley
- Waddell
- Bowers
- Spencer
- Verplanck
- Center
- West Side
- East Side
- Highland Park
- Keeney
- Martin
Notable sections of town include:
- Union Village Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
- Manchester Eighth Utilities District (aka North End), an independent district which retains control of the fire department, sewage department, and tax authority that serves the northern third of the township.
Popular architectural styles include Colonial, Ranch, and Cape Cod. Many of the single-family homes in Manchester can be found in quiet, leafy streets that offer a great deal of peace and privacy. Gleaming hardwood floors, spacious living areas, and screened porches are common features.
Schools in Manchester, CT
The Manchester School District serves PK-12 students with over 20 schools and programs, including:
- Manchester Preschool Center
- Manchester Preschool Center
- Keeney Education Center
- Keeney Elementary School
- Highland Park Elementary School
- Illing Middle School
- Manchester Middle Academy
- Manchester High School
If you believe that Manchester, CT should be your next home, don’t hesitate to reach out to Danais & Gordon Realty Group. You can contact us, Kathy Danais, at 860.214.1295 and 860.214.1295 and KathyDanais(at)gmail(dotted)com, and Lisa Gordon, at 860.805.7722 and LGordonRealtor(at)gmail(dotted)com. We’ve been helping buyers and sellers in Hartford County for over 15 years – we can’t wait to hear from you.
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