What is Watertown like? (Syracuse, Thompson: apartment, rent, homes)

[MDrex]

My wife was offered a nice job up there and they told her they probably had a job for me too, seems like they really want her. We have been planning on moving to the Syracuse area and Watertown isn't that far. We figure we could do that for a few years and then get jobs closer to our family and friends in Liverpool.

So anyone from the Watertown area? Anyone have opinions about living in that area?

[ckhthankgod]

As a former soldier up there, there isn't much to do, but they are expanding on the main strip there(Arsenal Street just west of the city limits). It's safe and family friendly. They do have a Zoo there in Thompson Park and a nice little downtown with a historic look to it. Most of the nice homes are in the Southern half of the city and the Northern of the city is more blue collar. It's close to Canada, the 1000 Islands and Lake Ontario too. It's only a 50 minute-1 hour drive from Syracuse as well. I even drove from my old apartment in Liverpool to Ft. Drum during the last 3 or 4 months of my time in the Army. So, you can do it, but with gas prices and all, it might take a toll on things. It's a city of about 26,000 people and they are usually friendly. There are good schools in the area and the schools aren't that big either.

[Sgoldie]

Make sure you can find housing before committing to any job offers. They've doubled the size of the base without providing addl housing so things are tight. I turned down two jobs up there because the only apts I could find were teeney and the rent was high for what I'd be making myself.