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West Side

West Side

Suburban Neighborhood in Manchester, Connecticut

Hartford County 06040

$272,790 Average Value
$193 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Historic buildings now house modern Manchester businesses

Once home to silk mills, Manchester’s West Side now offers proximity to a charming Main Street and several parks. Throughout the community, repurposed historic buildings serve modern-day residents. Some of the buildings have been transformed into breweries or theaters, while others are pottery studios or upscale apartment complexes. “There’s a lot of development underway to improve the downtown,” says Scott Hollister, Realtor with David Wesley Real Estate by eXp Realty, who has multi-generational ties to Manchester. Hollister is working to convert a former Masonic lodge into apartments, and the city has begun a multi-million-dollar project to build a new library on the site of an old bank. Sidewalks line many residential streets, making walks to the community theater and neighborhood churches an option.

The Manchester Road Race is the event of the year

The city of Manchester hosts year-round events, most of which take place on or around Main Street. The Scarecrow Festival falls near Halloween, and in spring, the town celebrates the return of butterflies. “A massive benefit of living near Main Street is having access to the Manchester Road Race. It’s a huge event—we get Olympic runners," Hollister says. The road race takes place on Thanksgiving Day each year and often draws crowds of around 30,000 people.

West Side residents are close to many restaurants and craft breweries

The West Side’s location allows for a short walk or drive to several locally owned restaurants and shops. Along Main Street, spots like Mulberry Street Pizza and Silk City Coffee are popular gathering places. Just north of U.S. Route 44 is Café Aura, an upscale Italian restaurant owned by legendary coach Geno Auriemma. “There are also a handful of breweries,” Hollister says. He enjoys Urban Lodge Brewing Co., which hosts live music and offers outdoor firepits for meeting up with friends on a chilly evening. Market on Main carries staple items for a quick shopping trip, and for more choices, locals can find Stop & Shop around 1 mile north. The Plaza at Buckland Hills is about a 4-mile drive from the West Side; it has a Trader Joe’s and big-box retail stores.

West Side residents like to meet friends for drinks & pub food at Urban Lodge Brewing.
West Side residents like to meet friends for drinks & pub food at Urban Lodge Brewing.
The outdoor seating area of Labyrinth Brewing Company offers alfresco warmth and comfort
The outdoor seating area of Labyrinth Brewing Company offers alfresco warmth and comfort
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Housing in the West Side

Many of the homes in the community were built in the early to mid-1900s, and buyers will find a mix of Victorian-era farmhouses, cottages and Queen Anne-style residences. These generally sell between $200,000 and $400,000, while Cape Cods and other midcentury houses may list in the $200,000 to $300,000 range. Additional options include condos and townhouses, priced in the $100,000s and a few duplexes, which often sell in the $400,000s. Hollister notes that the duplexes are a popular investment for buyers looking to help subsidize their mortgage.

Proctor Road homes offer a nice balance of space and convenience
Proctor Road homes offer a nice balance of space and convenience
Fairfield Road has a mix of single- and multi-family residences.
Fairfield Road has a mix of single- and multi-family residences.
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A strong performing arts program at Manchester High School

Children who live in the West Side may attend Verplanck Elementary School, which earns a C-plus rating on Niche. Illing Middle School also gets a C-plus — they offer a variety of extracurricular programs, including a homework club for English language learners and a drama club. Students can complete their secondary learning at B-rated Manchester High School, which has a notable performing arts program. Area parents can also opt to send their children to private schools. The Cornerstone Christian School, which is about 1 mile north of homes in the West Side, gets a B-plus rating and serves students in kindergarten through 12th grades.

Verplanck Elementary School Side Entrance
Verplanck Elementary School Side Entrance
Manchester High School
Manchester High School
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Disc golf at Center Springs Park and other activities

Living in the West Side means proximity to a variety of activities. “Charter Oak Park gives you access to the paved portion of rails to trails,” Hollister says. There’s also Center Springs Park, a 50-plus-acre green space with sites for fishing as well as a disc golf course. There is plenty of indoor recreation nearby also. The Magic Lincer Tennis Club of Manchester allows locals to keep their skills on the court fresh even in winter months. Residents with an interest in the arts can make pottery at The Firestone or visit the Little Theater of Manchester to enjoy a local production. About 1 mile south of the neighborhood is the Lutz Children’s Museum, which has opportunities for children to interact with animals and learn through play.

Magic Lincer Tennis Club of Manchester offers a full range of lessons.
Magic Lincer Tennis Club of Manchester offers a full range of lessons.
Center Springs Park has a beautiful disc golf course.
Center Springs Park has a beautiful disc golf course.
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Getting to and from the West Side

With Interstate 384 to the south and U.S. Route 44 to the north, locals have a direct commute to Hartford and other Connecticut cities. Those who prefer public transportation can catch CTtransit buses along Main Street, which run to and from downtown Hartford. Bradley International Airport is in Windsor Locks, just over 20 miles from the community. West Side residents also have nearby access to emergency care. Manchester Memorial Hospital, about 1 mile north, offers acute care for strokes, broken bones and cardiac issues.

Issues to consider

Some of the issues that West Side residents may face include increased noise from the nearby interstate, particularly during morning and afternoon rush hours. Additionally, the old Klock Machine Company, once located more than 4 miles from the West Side, was classified as a Superfund site, but the state has since taken over the cleanup effort. Any homes in low-lying areas may be considered at risk of flooding, which would require the purchase of flood insurance.

Ginny West
Written By
Ginny West
Ed Messenger
Photography Contributed By
Ed Messenger
Mark Barakat
Video By
Mark Barakat

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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 Harry Finer, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Bradley International

40 min drive

Bus

Hartford Rd & 139 Hartford Rd

Bus

Main St & Opp Oak St

Bus

Center St & Main St

Bus

Main St & Opp Eldridge St

Bus

Hartford Rd & Opp Palm St

Bus

Hartford Rd & 146 Hartford Rd

Bus

Hartford Rd & Elm St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime West Side US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 8 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$162,500
Median Single Family Price
$297,750
Median Townhouse Price
$115,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$127,500
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$101,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$193
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
34
Months of Supply
0.70
Median List Price
$157,450
Median Discount From 1st List Price
-4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-29%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
853
Median Year Built
1941
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,518
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,344
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
804
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
618
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Harry Finer, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
5,885
Median Age
36
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$55,248
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$64,700

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
91.9%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
27.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.2%
% Population in Labor Force
62.5%

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®

49 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

68 / 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.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
West Side