Considering relocating from Atlanta, GA to Ithaca, NY (New York, Dryden: apartments, rentals) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

tchemgrrl · 01-26-2012, 06:47 PM

I've heard from black acquaintances that they go to Syracuse (about an hour away) or NYC (4-5 hours depending on traffic) for their hair. So that might be a disappointment.

It's a lovely town. Safe, and quite small. If you live within a 10 minute drive of Cornell, you'll be living within a 15 minute ride of the entire town--shopping, groceries, bars, restaurants, etc. Also, you can live a 10 minute's drive from Cornell and live in what is, for all intents and purposes, "the country". (Or, not. There are areas with a more suburban feel as well.) But most of the professionals I know live at least that close to campus. Rare exceptions live in the Cortland area (about 20-30 minutes' drive) because their partner works in Syracuse, the nearest city.

If you're being recruited, I would definitely ask to be brought in for a visit. It's going to be a really different feel than a metropolitan area in the southern US. It sounds like that's what you're looking for, so I hope you like it here!

ckhthankgod · 01-26-2012, 07:14 PM

What's wrong with Dryden and Cortland? Cortland actually has a small, but noticeable Black population too. Both actually have colleges and allow for closer access to Syracuse or Binghamton.

I believe that some Black folks go to Ithacuts to get their hair done or cut.

Just some interesting tidbits about the area, Alex Haley was born there, the first Black stewardess grew up in Trumansburg(graduated from there in 1951), Beverly J. Martin Elementary is named after a local Black lady that was the 1953 senior class president at Ithaca High and later became a teacher and administrator in the district, the first barber in the city was Black, St James AME Zion has been around for almost 180 years and the city was a major Underground Railroad stop.

Also, Elmira is about 30-40 minutes away and could be another option in terms of hair salons, as it is a smaller city that is around 20% Black(most are concentrated on that city's Eastside).

Tinawina · 01-26-2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

What's wrong with Dryden and Cortland? Cortland actually has a small, but noticeable Black population too. Both actually have colleges and allow for closer access to Syracuse or Binghamton.

I believe that some Black folks go to Ithacuts to get their hair done or cut.

Just some interesting tidbits about the area, Alex Haley was born there, the first Black stewardess grew up in Trumansburg(graduated from there in 1951), Beverly J. Martin Elementary is named after a local Black lady that was the 1953 senior class president at Ithaca High and later became a teacher and administrator in the district, the first barber in the city was Black, St James AME Zion has been around for almost 180 years and the city was a major Underground Railroad stop.

Also, Elmira is about 30-40 minutes away and could be another option in terms of hair salons, as it is a smaller city that is around 20% Black(most are concentrated on that city's Eastside).

Yeah, there's a black beauty shop in Ithaca too. The woman is a good hairdresser but I think some folks go out of town anyway. For those people I think it is more about a personality clash that her skills.

I forgot about Elmira, that is a reasonable place to live too I think. They have some pretty good places to eat as well (there is a really good Mexican place and a good soul food place there) and I'm sure they have hairdressers and the like. Cortland's a solid option of the spouse ends up in working in Syracuse. Elmira can work if the spouse works in Binghamton or Corning.

When I was there Dryden had the rep of being more redneck-ish. No such worries about Cortland though. Lansing seems like a popular destination for a more surburban life, especially if you are not as crunchy as the average Ithacan.

ckhthankgod · 01-26-2012, 10:14 PM

Here is a good website for searching for homes in the area too: RealtyUSA | New York Real Estate |

Search for New York Real Estate

nywilliams · 01-27-2012, 03:07 PM

Thanks for all the info. I see I have my work cut out for me looking at websites :-)

I have a call scheduled with Cornell for 5:30. Hopefully after that I'll have a better idea of "what is what".

daydreamin71 · 01-27-2012, 04:30 PM

Perhaps another option for you to consider would be living in or around the city of Corning, which is in driving distance to Ithaca (though not as close as Elmira is). Corning Inc employs many African-American professionals, as well as professionals from around the world, so it's a pretty interesting place, as far as small towns go. The African-American community in the Corning area seems to be very close-knit, supportive and involved in the community. Good luck with your search and move!

ckhthankgod · 01-27-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daydreamin71

Perhaps another option for you to consider would be living in or around the city of Corning, whichdrive in the winter? is in driving distance to Ithaca (though not as close as Elmira is). Corning Inc employs many African-American professionals, as well as professionals from around the world, so it's a pretty interesting place, as far as small towns go. The African-American community in the Corning area seems to be very close-knit, supportive and involved in the community. Good luck with your search and move!

True, but how is the drive in the winter? They do have a church and a NAACP chapter that serves Corning and Elmira. Horseheads could be a happy medium and there is plenty of shopping in the area. Schools are good and you are in between Ithaca and Elmira. Newfield could also work in that regard. Cortland could be an option and put the OP closer to Syracuse or even Binghamton. There are many ways to go with this to be honest, including just staying in the immediate area.

daydreamin71 · 01-28-2012, 05:46 AM

True, but how is the drive in the winter? They do have a church and a NAACP chapter that serves Corning and Elmira. Horseheads could be a happy medium and there is plenty of shopping in the area. Schools are good and you are in between Ithaca and Elmira. Newfield could also work in that regard. Cortland could be an option and put the OP closer to Syracuse or even Binghamton. There are many ways to go with this to be honest, including just staying in the immediate area.[/quote]

Excellent point - the drive from Corning (or Elmira, either, for that matter) is not something I, personally, would want to make. But there are people who do it. Horseheads, Cortland and Newfield do seem to be other great options. IMO it's pretty cool that there are so many places that could work in this area!

ckhthankgod · 01-30-2012, 01:29 PM

Here are some other potential options as well: Bus Schedule | Tioga County, NY - Official Website

Route 30X
Home Page

Route 7

TCAT Bus : 2010 Downloadable Maps : System Map | Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, New York

nywilliams · 02-09-2012, 08:53 AM

Thanks everyone for all the feedback. I had my phone interview yesterday and it seemed to go very well. I'm waiting to see if I'll be brought in for a face to face but they were very positive about me when we finished the call.

Can anyone tell me a little bit about this property/area? I've been doing some looking online and wondered if this was a decent place? We've sorta decided that if I do get the job, I'll go up alone and do a rental while hubby stays here to wrap up the school year with our daughter and then we can spend the summer doing the transition once school is out and I've had a chance to sort of settle in and get some bearings.

Lifestyle Properties, Apartments, Home Rentals, Housing, and Townhomes Ithaca, New York.

I guess I should add that here I have a 3 bed/2 bath 1300 sq ft house and a storage space at uhaul for all the stuff that doesn't fit in the house cause we are busting out at the seams. So I definitely am looking at something with more space so we won't have to pay storage anymore.