Spencer - Manchester, CT

Settled in 1672, the city of Manchester soon transformed from a rural farming community to a booming industrial town. Families did not begin moving to the Spencer area until the mid-1900s when Spencer Community College was founded, leaving much of the area in its natural undeveloped state.

For a glimpse into the area's rich history, take a short drive to West Side museums, such as the Manchester History Museum and the Fire Museum. Spencer may be small, but it also hosts its own cultural scene with free screenings of foreign films at the SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium at the college, the Winter Arts Festival and the annual Fine Arts Festival.

Spencer may be a small neighborhood, but its college-town setting has created a diverse dining scene dominated by local establishments. Grab a quick breakfast at one of the hometown diners where the older locals come to catch up on gossip, or join the college crowd while savoring exotic Indian cuisine. Spencer also serves up an exciting nightlife scene, with a few local bars that keep you entertained late into the night.

Let the aromas of the Far East draw you into IndiGo Indian Bistro, a trendy restaurants serving authentic Indian eats with a side of complimentary naan. Be sure to try the aloo gobi with basmati rice, and tell the wait staff your preferred heat level for a meal that suits your tastes. Choose from meat bases such as goat or chicken, or go for the vegetable vindaloo for a spicy vegetarian delight. This place provides an expansive takeout menu, so you can chow down while studying for finals. If you're eating in, keep in mind that IndiGo serves up an eclectic buffet every day.

Start your morning off right at Augie's, a mom-and-pop breakfast joint with eggs and bacon that blow the nearby Dunkin' Donuts out of the water. Order at the counter, or head to the drive-through for a pick-me-up before work. Also try the lunch menu for favorites such as the Philly cheese steak or chili dog with curly fries.

When the weekend rolls around, you can bet the college crowd heads to All Stars Sports Bar & Grill for the vibrant nightlife scene. Stop by for live music and karaoke, or just pull up a chair to sip on cheap beer while watching the game on the flat-screen TVs. During the summer, enjoy a quieter atmosphere on the outdoor patio.

Spencer residents enjoy easy access to both downtown Manchester and Hartford via Interstates 384 and 84. Most locals choose to get around by car, and free parking throughout the neighborhood makes for a stress-free drive. If you need a quick ride, you can always call up a ride-share service such as Uber or a Manchester Cab.

The CT Transit buses make several stops in the neighborhood, mostly along Spencer Street. If you prefer to bike, you can take the Charter Oak Greenway all the way to Main Street in downtown Manchester for some shopping. Locals who prefer to navigate the neighborhood on foot find a high concentration of amenities and ample sidewalks for an easy stroll.

When you want to get out and enjoy the sun, check out the rich collection of public parks surrounding Spencer. Locals love to take a stroll down the Laurel Marsh Trail along the Hockanum River while watching for wildlife and listening to the soothing sounds of the water. Head to Leber Field to catch a practice game on the baseball diamond, or exercise your canine companion on the surrounding lawn.

For modern amenities and beautiful wooded areas, visit nearby Wickham Park to let your kids climb on the playground equipment while you read a book under the shade trees. This local gem also features landscaped gardens and an expansive disc golf course. The park charges a small fee to park.

Spencer's overall cost of living is above average compared to the average for the city of Manchester. Renting a one-bedroom apartment here costs around $980 per month, and gas prices hold steady at about 11 percent above the national average. Be ready to pay $1.50 for a bus ride into downtown Manchester and upwards of $6 for a pint of beer at a local bar.

Take a stroll along Spencer Street to run your errands, or browse unique home decor as you explore the neighborhood's markets, specialty shops and furniture stores. Locals head to downtown Manchester for a more diverse retail scene, and a trove of high-end boutiques await in nearby Hartford.

If you have a passion for music and movement, check out Dance Village, one of the few supply stores for professional and aspiring dancers in the area. Explore a glittering collection of leotards, ballet shoes and tights, or browse unique gifts and accessories for the dancer in your life. The shop stocks apparel for dance styles such as jazz, tap, lyrical and hip-hop from top brands, including So Danca and Mirella, and you can even find a few figure-skating outfits on the racks.

Nothing beats the authenticity and hardiness of natural wooden furnishings, which explains why customers come from out of state to buy home decor from Pinewood Furniture. The staff at this family-owned business enthusiastically helps you design a rustic master bedroom piece by piece with expertly crafted Amish beds, chests and armoires. Choose unfinished wood furnishings to customize their appearance to your tastes, or browse the beautiful selection of factory-finished pieces and reclaimed barnwood furnishings to find the perfect country sideboard or grand dining table.

For your weekly grocery shopping, buy your basics at ShopRite or Patel Foods. Be sure to check out the downtown farmers market for some fresh fruits and veggies from local growers.