Center
Suburban Neighborhood in Manchester, Connecticut
Hartford County 06040
Residential homes along sidewalks
Properties are situated along gridded and interlocking streets in Center, many on long, narrow lots. Cape Cod is the predominant architectural style here, though colonials and ranch homes are also found in the neighborhood. Exteriors vary between siding and brick, and backyard space can allow for installation of a pool or for grilling out during the summer with neighbors. “There’s older colonials and starter ranches,” Hollister says. “There’s a few subdivisions. I’d say it’s a good mixture, there’s a decent mix of two-and three-family houses. The homes are definitely older housing stock, but have a lot of character with the front porches, typically with tall ceilings, hardwood floors and hardwood trim.” Prices usually range between $200,000 and $350,000 for single-family homes, and the typically well-maintained properties mostly date to before 1950.
/
Sports, fishing and nature in the center of Center
Center Springs Park lies close to the middle of the neighborhood, bisected by the flowing Bigelow Brook and with a large pond lying at its western end. Via a long pier, anglers can try their luck at hooking a fish beneath the waters, or residents can stay closer to dry land and hike the trail looping around the park. Visitors can also play disc golf at Center Springs or trek to the northeastern end of the park to relax with the peaceful trickle of a waterfall. “As far as amenities, the Rails-to-Trails is a huge, huge feature,” Hollister says. “It’s probably one of my favorite things. The greenway has some paved sections along the highway, which is really nice. The town has a bunch of recreation fields.” The Cheney Rail Trail snakes vertically through the western half of Center, in part following portions of the South Manchester Railroad, and visitors can expend energy while walking in the footsteps of history. Smaller green spaces, like Center Memorial Park to the south and Trooper Russell A. Bagshaw Memorial Field, are also in the region.A quartet of educational institutions
Enrollment for students can begin a few minutes north of the Center neighborhood at the Bowers School. Rated a B-minus by Niche, it serves kindergarten through fourth grade, while Elisabeth M. Bennett Academy is the site of fifth and sixth grades and scores a C with Niche. Seventh and eighth-grade education can be found at Illing Middle School, given a C-plus, and Manchester High School earns a B grade. It enrolls grades nine through 12 and Niche ranks it as the most diverse public high school statewide, and sports offered to students include baseball, softball and tennis. Convenience is one of the district’s primary aspects, as all four schools are located within a span of just over two miles.
/
Blockbusters, footraces and exercise
Locals can catch the latest blockbusters and movie releases at Parkade Cinemas & Entertainment, fronted by industry-influenced murals like the original six Avengers surrounding an Academy Award. Within, it doesn’t just show films, but also plays host to live comedy and magic acts. Residents can also clamber over challenging walls at the Stone Age Rock Gym, and kids can take part in programs and showcases at the CAST Children’s Theatre. “Mary Cheney Library has outdoor games and music festivals,” Hollister says. “We also have the largest road race on the East Coast outside of the Boston Marathon, and it’s one of the best Thanksgiving Day road races. There’s a lot of history with Main Street.” The Manchester Road Race is held every Thanksgiving Day, and the footrace spanning just under five miles was first held in 1927.
/
Close to the capital and interstates
The downtown area of state capital Hartford is only about 10 miles west, and a portion of Route 44 makes up the southern boundary of Center and goes beyond Connecticut in both eastern and western directions. Via Route 44, motorists can reach an interchange with Interstate 84 and reach New York, Pennsylvania or Massachusetts from that highway. To the south, Interstate 384 is exclusive to Connecticut and connects Hartford to Bolton. “You can take the 384 to Glastonbury and Hartford relatively fast, or even the back roads to Glastonbury,” Hollister says. “Realistically, you could pretty much get anywhere in Manchester to anything you need.” CT Transit operates buses along many of the neighborhood’s busy streets. Manchester Memorial Hospital is situated in the neighborhood’s central northern region, convenient to residents in need of medical care.
Restaurants with ties to sports and pop culture
The Manchester Parkade Shopping Center comprises the neighborhood’s northwestern corner, where residents can get a meal at Anthony’s Jamaican, a chocolatey treat at Divine Treasures or groceries at a Stop & Shop supermarket location. Ganymead also sits within the mall, its moniker inspired by the largest moon in the solar system. “As far as eateries, you have a couple great coffee shops in Pinewood and downtown,” Hollister says. “You have Geno Auriemma’s restaurant, which is phenomenal, and my office is basically right next door to that. There’s some smaller pizza shops and there’s the Urban Lodge, which is an awesome brewery on Main Street.” Auriemma is the UConn women’s basketball head coach and an 11-time NCAA champion, and his Café Aura offers Italian fare, wines and more. Close to Café Aura, Randy’s Wooster Street Pizza serves up food in an atmosphere complete with décor themed towards Hot Wheels with diecast models and monster truck tires. Close by, Broad Street offers dining options like Pho 99 and CJ’s Pizza and Giant Grinders, and along Main Street sit the Main Pub, the 360 Juteuse Fruit Bar and more options farther south. “The biggest thing with Main Street is the walkability,” Hollister says. “You have your ice cream shops and you can get dinner or lunch and can go for bike rides.”
Written By
Adam Cheek
Photography Contributed By
Ed Messenger
Video By
Matthew Bloch
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Kalani Ladd
Kalani Ladd
KW Legacy Partners
(860) 864-5326
130 Total Sales
1 in Center
$259,900 Price
-
Carol Ryniewicz
Carol Ryniewicz
Responds QuicklyCR Premier Properties
(959) 210-1548
91 Total Sales
1 in Center
$291,000 Price
-
Mavourneen Costello
Mavourneen Costello
Nexthome Elite Realty
(860) 607-0155
66 Total Sales
2 in Center
$195K - $321K Price Range
-
Dawn Mikuláštík Gagliardi
Dawn Mikuláštík Gagliardi
Serhant Connecticut, LLC
(959) 777-4377
244 Total Sales
1 in Center
$215,000 Price
-
Bob LaPerla
Bob LaPerla
Responds QuicklyBerkshire Hathaway NE Prop.
(959) 777-5347
80 Total Sales
1 in Center
$205,000 Price
-
Jennifer Albert
Jennifer Albert
Real Broker CT, LLC
(860) 650-1649
29 Total Sales
1 in Center
$180,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Center Springs Park
Northwest Park
Purdy Nature Park Bigelow Brook Loop
- Trails
- Hiking
Trooper Russell A. Bagshaw Memorial Field
- Baseball/Softball
- Pool
- Playground
Center Memorial Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Center | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 5 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Center Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Center, Manchester sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Center, Manchester over the last 12 months is $285,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$279,450
Median Sale Price
$285,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$289,450
Median Change From 1st List Price
-4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
37
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$230
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
837
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Median Year Built
1943
Months of Supply
1.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,276
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,481
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
998
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
840
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
-
$1,578 - $1,728 per month
- Manchester Green
- 1-2 Beds
- 1.5 Baths
- 550+ Sq Ft
- 167 E Center St
- Manchester, CT
-
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,568
Median Age
38
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$72,104
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$89,570
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96%
College Graduates
22.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.4%
% Population in Labor Force
74.4%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
28''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
72
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Bowers
Classic Capes, colonials and ranches close to schools only 10 miles from Hartford
East Side
Convenient small town neighborhood with a great dining scene
West Side
Small-town neighborhood with restaurants and craft breweries
Highland Park
This neighborhood stretches from downtown Manchester to the verdant countryside
Robertson
Northernmost Manchester neighborhood with easy access to shopping and the highway
Verplanck
Small-town charm in a suburban setting on the edge of Hartford
Reviews
Are you familiar with the Center neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Was this page helpful?
