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After 30 years in the Florida Keys and 16 hurricane evacuations, we retired and moved to Oswego, NY in 2005. Our choices were: the mountains of western NC, upstate NY, and northern VA. After we narrowed it down to upstate NY, we felt the best choices were Ithaca, Auburn and Oswego. We picked Oswego because of the SUNY Oswego campus, Lake Ontario, and the Erie Canal, and (after the crush of Florida traffic) the declining population.
We've not been disappointed. The weather, on a year-round basis, is actually better than Key West, and when the storms come, instead of evacuating.....we get to stay home and watch it. What a difference.
There's plenty to do what with the college, the Erie tow path and river hike and bike trails, great restaurants.
Certainly a major attraction was the fact that there were scores of beautiful Victorian homes to choose from under $100,000. We picked one in the northwest side of 'old-town' which is a short walk to the movie theater, the bookstore, the grocery, and several coffee shops, restaurants, shops, 4 lovely parks, the river, the marina and Lake Ontario.
The tax picture is the only negative, but given the very low price of housing, we can pay the taxes for decades and still come out ahead of most other communities.
After 30 years in the Florida Keys and 16 hurricane evacuations, we retired and moved to Oswego, NY in 2005. Our choices were: the mountains of western NC, upstate NY, and northern VA. After we narrowed it down to upstate NY, we felt the best choices were Ithaca, Auburn and Oswego. We picked Oswego because of the SUNY Oswego campus, Lake Ontario, and the Erie Canal, and (after the crush of Florida traffic) the declining population.
We've not been disappointed. The weather, on a year-round basis, is actually better than Key West, and when the storms come, instead of evacuating.....we get to stay home and watch it. What a difference.
There's plenty to do what with the college, the Erie tow path and river hike and bike trails, great restaurants.
Certainly a major attraction was the fact that there were scores of beautiful Victorian homes to choose from under $100,000. We picked one in the northwest side of 'old-town' which is a short walk to the movie theater, the bookstore, the grocery, and several coffee shops, restaurants, shops, 4 lovely parks, the river, the marina and Lake Ontario.
The tax picture is the only negative, but given the very low price of housing, we can pay the taxes for decades and still come out ahead of most other communities.
Very good points about Oswego and it is a hidden gem, imo. Can't forget the great sunsets too.
The tax picture is the only negative, but given the very low price of housing, we can pay the taxes for decades and still come out ahead of most other communities.
Exactly.
I'm going to guess you're paying something like $3,000 taxes per year on your beautiful $95,000 Victorian, which is an outrageous amount of taxes for a $95,000 house.
But in many other places in the country, your house would cost $250,000 and the taxes would also be $3,000.
So as a percentage of value, you get killed. But so what? The $95,000 is an absolute steal.
Hey, Oswego! Great place and I'm glad you have made the decision. Make sure you visit the "Loop" and have a fresh haddock sandwich at the fish place there. It used to be called Rudy's but I'll try to find out if it still is.
Hey, Oswego! Great place and I'm glad you have made the decision. Make sure you visit the "Loop" and have a fresh haddock sandwich at the fish place there. It used to be called Rudy's but I'll try to find out if it still is.
It's still Rudy's. There's a Chinese restaurant next to it now too.
Also, if you like sub sandwiches, check out Oswego Sub Shop or get a half loaf sub from Garofalo's. Good Italian food at Canale's or Vona's too.
As for the taxes, rubygreta brings up great points and people also forget about the other costs and fees that can be higher in other states like HOA's, vehicle taxes/fees and the same with other property that one might own.
It's still Rudy's. There's a Chinese restaurant next to it now too.
Also, if you like sub sandwiches, check out Oswego Sub Shop or get a half loaf sub from Garofalo's. Good Italian food at Canale's or Vona's too.
As for the taxes, rubygreta brings up great points and people also forget about the other costs and fees that can be higher in other states like HOA's, vehicle taxes/fees and the same with other property that one might own.
I remember all those... great food! Hadn't heard about the Chinese restaurant, though! Go to Vona's for their out-of-this world garlic pizza! Is the Chart House still there??? A visit to the fort on Lake Ontario is always good, as well. And don't forget a visit (picnic, swimming) to Fair Haven!!
I agree on the added costs. It pays to do our homework!
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