Which Finger Lake in NYState to buy a Summer Lake House? (New York: college, yard)

[mja11]

Hi Everyone. My husband and I went to college in Rochester, NY and Ithaca, NY and we love the Finger Lakes areas. Unfortunately, we have two young children and this weekend when we went to Keauka Lake, Seneca Lake and the town of Ithaca - it was difficult to cover a huge area with our small windows of opportunity! We did fall in love with Hammondsport, NY though and right now it's our favorite. But we haven't seen as much as we would have like to better compare. We would love some feedback from those of you with more experience comparing the towns around the Finger Lakes. We are looking for a home with a lake view. (We enjoy that 'Tuscany' type feel of the view of the grape vines etc.). We love the vineyards all around and love the look of them even on a property we would purchase. This would be a summer home for now and potentially a future retirement location. We are in our late 30s early 40s with 2 children under 3 years of age. We love friendly people, history, and diversity too. Any advice??

[ckhthankgod]

Try the Ithaca, Geneva, Auburn and Canadaigua areas of the Finger Lakes. Those 4 will have everything you are looking for and each of those communities are either on or very close to a Finger Lake.

[ki0eh]

Those are all (but Ithaca) on the flat ends of the lakes. I think they're looking at a homesite overlooking a hilly end, and Ithaca doesn't have grapevines right in the immediate area either.

I always liked the tableau from the Naples area on the south end of Canandaigua Lake, as a potential alternative to Hammondsport if you want another place to look. Or maybe the Burdett area just northeast of Watkins Glen. (Or New Hope and Scott at the south end of Skaneateles Lake, but no grapes there either.)

[swg]

Canandaigua lake is very nice. My friend has a cottage right on Seneca Lake, which is beautiful. She is on the East side of the lake, and has a beautiful view, and I believe there are some vineyards on Seneca Lake, but I'm not positive.

[ckhthankgod]

Here's a good guide for wineries: Finger Lakes Wineries and Trails - New York Wine and Culinary Center, NY State Winery Tours

You might like something around Seneca Falls/Waterloo area as well. Maybe Penn Yan too.

Here's another guide: Finger Lakes - A Guide to the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.