Manchester offers land, trails and a quiet country lifestyle
Manchester is a laidback, rural community, and that's exactly what residents enjoy. "I grew up down there, and I just like to call it a quaint, sleepy little country town," says broker Gene Reynolds with Gene Reynolds Realty. "It's about an hour and ten minutes from Atlanta, and a quick shot to Columbus, so it's close to amenities." The sleepy nature Reynolds mentions is part of the appeal, because the area offers land for people to spread out. "There are a lot of mini farms and hobby farms here," Reynolds says. Manchester is also close to several trails, foothills and rivers, offering convenient outdoor access.
Classic homes and wooded lots at more affordable prices
Manchester offers a mix of classic small-town residences like cottages, Cape Cods, Craftsman-style and ranch-style. "There's limited new construction, but a lot of 20th-century homes are being renovated," Reynolds says. These homes are densely clustered around the town center, surrounded by magnolia, pine and oak trees. New Traditional and contemporary homes with increasingly large acreages dotted around Manchester also exist. One such development includes the homes along Mountain Ridge Drive, which sits on a hill and overlooks the surrounding valleys. Crop fields and acres of forest surround the town and the adjacent communities of Warm Springs and Chalybeate Springs. The overall median sale price of homes in Manchester is $155,100.
Education through Meriwether County Schools
Meriwether County Schools serves over 2,250 students and earns an overall C rating from Niche. Mountainview Elementary scores a C-plus, Manchester Middle has a C-minus and Manchester High earns a B-minus. High schoolers can apply to career and technical education pathways, including graphic design, therapeutic services and finance.
Recreation includes Harmon Field, Cascade Falls and the Flint River
The Manchester Recreations Department operates club sports, a splash pad and activities at the rec center. Harmon Field, which has sports courts, a playground and a walking path surrounding a pond, is also nearby. Pet owners may also visit the Manchester Dog Park on Broad Street. Train lovers may enjoy heading to the train-watching platform off Broad Street.
There are also many natural offerings surrounding Manchester, with its proximity to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Several trails and campgrounds meander through these hills, such as the Cascade Falls trail, 7 miles away. Another popular location is Sprewell Bluff Park, 25 miles away. The park has hiking trails and access to the Flint River. "A lot of people want to go to the Flint River to kayak and fish; the whole area has that outdoorsy feel." Manchester is also about 40 miles from the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, a nationally known area for rafting, floating and kayaking.
Classic storefronts and local eateries anchor downtown
Manchester has a classic downtown area, with original storefronts occupied by supply shops, boutiques, restaurants and churches. The President Theatre Manchester hosts community concerts, recitals and shows. Downtown features locally owned eateries, like Duck's Trolley, a burger joint, and Sleight of Hand, a self-serve taproom with light bites and a cozy, homey feel. Grocery options include Piggly Wiggly and Dollar General. There's more dining and retail in surrounding larger towns like LaGrange and Columbus.
Monthly markets at the Manchester Mill
The community often hosts events at the Manchester Mill on Callaway Street. There are monthly Market Days at the Mill, which typically have food, music and over 40 vendors offering clothing and artisan goods. There are also themed markets during holidays, like Christmas at the Mill. There are other winter holiday events like the Manchester Christmas Parade, which features floats, music and a visit from Santa Claus.
Highway 85 connects Manchester to Columbus and nearby cities
Manchester is bordered by Georgia State Highway 85 to the east. This connects residents south to Columbus, 40 miles away. Columbus also has a major medical center, St. Francis, and the Columbus Airport. Georgia State Highway 41 runs through the community, heading west toward Warm Springs, 5 miles away. The town also has a small hospital, Warm Springs Memorial Center. The route merges into U.S. Highway 27 Alternate, bringing commuters to Interstate 85. From I-85, residents can reach Atlanta, 65 miles away. For direct flights, residents may drive to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, 75 miles from Manchester.
