Best and worse of living in Syracuse (shop, move)

[ckhthankgod]

Yeah, I don't see where the decline in population is, considering the area gained 12,000 people during the past decade.

Also, the snow thing is based on the metro area. Considering that Oswego County is in the metro and gets more snow than places south of Brewerton. So, that has an effect on the average snowfall figures. Buffalo is another example of this, as the Southtowns get much more snow than Niagara County, which averages 50-60 inches of snow a winter.

Also, the unemployment rate has been below average and still is according to the last posting of rates for metro areas.

To battle the weather, find something to do. There may be something going on that you may be interested in.

[syr83]

I stay in this city because i have a great job, great condo, and enjoy taking advantage of most things Syracuse offers. I've worked here as an engineer since graduating from SU (i'm 28 now), and live in a downtown condo i purchased 2 years ago. If you're young and like to socialize i would recommend downtown, or tipp hill, since that's where it seems that the highest concentration of people in their mid-twenties/early-thirties live. I lived in a city neighborhood right after graduating for 2 years, then moved downtown, and haven't looked back for 5 years. I imagine it's drastically different from Miami, so it would probably feel very "small" to you.

For the money you spend in Miami, you could get a fantastic loft apartment in downtown syracuse. You wouldn't have as many amenities though... Some people might prefer life in the suburbs, but i can't picture it myself as someone who's single with no kids. DT apartments can be tough to get though, you pretty much have to continuously scour craigslist and the downtown housing list until one opens up.

Even if you did choose to live in the suburbs you wouldn't be separated that far from the city since there are 2 major highways nicely bisecting the city. That makes it easy to get anywhere in the immediate region within 10-15 minutes. I take advantage of SU games (both football and basketball), crunch games (ice hockey), and go lots of shows at the Westcott (i'm lucky because that music usually is right up my alley). I lead a pretty active social life and go out a lot to just hang with friends downtown, go to festivals, trips out of town (there are many large cities within a few hours drive), do trivia nights etc...

During the summer i am usually playing league volleyball almost every weeknight.

Syracuse is especially beautiful in the summer and fall, but November thru January feels almost 80% sunless. It can be depressing to go to work, and come home during a cloudy dusk for that time period. The rest of the year our skies are relatively average as far as sunlight goes. You can compare miami to syracuse sunshine hours on wikipedia.

Syracuse is what you make of it...and I couldn't see myself living anywhere else (maybe elsewhere in the northeast, northwest, or canada). I have a job that takes me traveling all over the world and I'm always happy to be heading home.

[urbanplanner]

Originally Posted by syr83

I stay in this city because i have a great job, great condo, and enjoy taking advantage of most things Syracuse offers. I've worked here as an engineer since graduating from SU (i'm 28 now), and live in a downtown condo i purchased 2 years ago. If you're young and like to socialize i would recommend downtown, or tipp hill, since that's where it seems that the highest concentration of people in their mid-twenties/early-thirties live. I lived in a city neighborhood right after graduating for 2 years, then moved downtown, and haven't looked back for 5 years. I imagine it's drastically different from Miami, so it would probably feel very "small" to you.

For the money you spend in Miami, you could get a fantastic loft apartment in downtown syracuse. You wouldn't have as many amenities though... Some people might prefer life in the suburbs, but i can't picture it myself as someone who's single with no kids. DT apartments can be tough to get though, you pretty much have to continuously scour craigslist and the downtown housing list until one opens up.

Even if you did choose to live in the suburbs you wouldn't be separated that far from the city since there are 2 major highways nicely bisecting the city. That makes it easy to get anywhere in the immediate region within 10-15 minutes. I take advantage of SU games (both football and basketball), crunch games (ice hockey), and go lots of shows at the Westcott (i'm lucky because that music usually is right up my alley). I lead a pretty active social life and go out a lot to just hang with friends downtown, go to festivals, trips out of town (there are many large cities within a few hours drive), do trivia nights etc...

During the summer i am usually playing league volleyball almost every weeknight.

Syracuse is especially beautiful in the summer and fall, but November thru January feels almost 80% sunless. It can be depressing to go to work, and come home during a cloudy dusk for that time period. The rest of the year our skies are relatively average as far as sunlight goes. You can compare miami to syracuse sunshine hours on wikipedia.

Syracuse is what you make of it...and I couldn't see myself living anywhere else (maybe elsewhere in the northeast, northwest, or canada). I have a job that takes me traveling all over the world and I'm always happy to be heading home.

I don't live in Miami. I was responding to serith who is from Northern California and a bit negative on Syracuse and CNY. I agree with your post, it is nice to see transplants taking advantage of what the area has to offer.

Btw, I think there are some similiarities between south beach near Miami and Armory Square. I remember visiting south beach during the early to mid-1990's (not a very nice place to be), it was beginning to go through the same type of major redevelopment Armory Square is going through now. Prior to the 1990's, south beach was on hard times, much like Armory Square prior to the early to mid-1980's and its Historic Preservation designation in 1984 (+/-). Armory Square has been a destination for two or three decades now, but major redevelopment has been occuring over the last five or six years with more to come. The construction of the Connective Corridor reminds me of Lincoln Road on south beach during the 1990's. The biggest difference is Lincoln Road is totally pedestrian, except for cross traffic. CC will be a mix of transportation modes and will have a larger impact than Lincoln Road connecting the University Hill with Downtown and the Creekwalk. CC is beginning to get a name for itself across the country.

[Stinger6]

Originally Posted by serith

The only reason I stay here is because I was lucky enough to land a job with a growing tech company as a software engineer. My cost of living is laughable here and I'm able to save nearly everything I make after taxes. I rent to avoid directly feeding the corrupt school & political systems. Currently where I am (Cobblestone), utilities are included in the rent (which I split), so it's nice to be able to leave the heat at 80 and just crack open a window if it's too warm and not have to worry about National Grid bending you over. I will leave in a second and head back out to Northern California if something ever happened to the job I have. The fact that Syracuse regularly receives (this winter not withstanding) hundreds of inches of snowfall, and very few sunny days is depressing, and it takes its toll on everyone (people acting miserable). We do have some nice things like Wegmans and a lack of bumper to bumper traffic, but there's a reason for this--people are leaving. The only people staying here are either retired, bound by family, or are employed in the healthcare/school/government/private sector and are collecting fat paychecks. Unemployment is average in Syracuse, but that's because there are so many low paying part-time jobs. Roads in and around the city are in disarray (thanks in part to the ridiculous amounts of salt that are dumped on the roads to keep those with bald all-season tires content), buildings are for sale/lease everywhere, and you can tell that very little money is being put back into the city. You see it nearly everywhere you go, and it's the reason people are leaving (you can see this in the most recent Census taken). If you can land a high paying job, are sun-adverse, and aren't too social, Syracuse is the place for you.

Hi Serith. Just wanted to let you know that I got the same "warm welcome" from Moderator cut: Please discuss the topic, not each other.
when I created a thread that had other than favorable things to say about Syracuse. I think that the downtown area is very cool. I just moved here from N.C. and did it strictly for the job. The rental situation is a disaster (Looking To Rent in Syracuse? You're In For A Real Treat) and people seem to want to argue just for the sake of arguing, but other than that I'm cool with it. I wish I could find a decent apartment, but that's just not in the cards. Oh well, you can't have everything. Peace...

P.S. I grew up in Michigan and think they do an excellent job here of keeping the roads clear of what little snow we've had!

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Stinger6

Hi Serith. Just wanted to let you know that I got the same "warm welcome" Moderator cut: Please discuss the topic, not each other.
when I created a thread that had other than favorable things to say about Syracuse. I think that the downtown area is very cool. I just moved here from N.C. and did it strictly for the job. The rental situation is a disaster (Looking To Rent in Syracuse? You're In For A Real Treat) and people seem to want to argue just for the sake of arguing, but other than that I'm cool with it. I wish I could find a decent apartment, but that's just not in the cards. Oh well, you can't have everything. Peace...

P.S. I grew up in Michigan and think they do an excellent job here of keeping the roads clear of what little snow we've had!

If you live in Henderson, you don't live in the Syracuse metro area. Watertown is a closer option for shopping and other things. While you are up there, check out Sackets Harbor and the 1000 Islands.

I'm familiar with parts of MI and I believe that Serith has an apartment.

[Becca8377]

Originally Posted by Stinger6

Hi Serith. Just wanted to let you know that I got the same "warm welcome" Moderator cut: Please discuss the topic, not each other.
when I created a thread that had other than favorable things to say about Syracuse. I think that the downtown area is very cool. I just moved here from N.C. and did it strictly for the job. The rental situation is a disaster (Looking To Rent in Syracuse? You're In For A Real Treat) and people seem to want to argue just for the sake of arguing, but other than that I'm cool with it. I wish I could find a decent apartment, but that's just not in the cards. Oh well, you can't have everything. Peace...

P.S. I grew up in Michigan and think they do an excellent job here of keeping the roads clear of what little snow we've had!

Moderator cut: Please discuss the topic, not each other.
I'm sorry the rental situation didn't work out for YOU... It has worked out for me and several other people in this forum. And again I'll say that you were NEVER on this forum previously asking for advice, so don't go bashing the advice on this forum since you weren't here in the past. Moderator cut: Please discuss the topic, not each other.

[Stinger6]

Originally Posted by Becca8377

CKH wasn't arguing - he provided information that went against what you said - YOU were the one that was arguing.

CHK spent an hour of his life arguing with me about an entry in my profile? If that's not arguing just to argue then I don't know what is. And BTW, that's the very definition of trolling.

I'm sorry the rental situation didn't work out for YOU... It has worked out for me and several other people in this forum.

That's cool, and I'm happy for you. I guess I just have different standards than most of the folks here.

And again I'll say that you were NEVER on this forum previously asking for advice, so don't go bashing the advice on this forum since you weren't here in the past.

Bashing? I clearly stated that I don't think anyone lied, they just had different standards. Oh, and btw...I must have missed the forum rule that says that you are only allowed one screen name and that if you make a mistake creating the first one you have to live with it and never develop a new profile. Is that under the "If Becca says that you've never been here before then you've never been here before!!" clause?

It's clear you wanted to just come here to rant and god forbid people provide some advice and information.

The advice were links to generic websites with generic listings. If you care to go back and read MY WHOLE REPLY you'll see what I found out by clicking on those links. Then again,Moderator cut: Please discuss the topic, not each other.

[Becca8377]

Nope, it's not my rule at all - It's actually in the FORUM RULES - "Only one screen name is permitted per user. " Feel free to read up on them - http://www.city-data.com/forum/faq/9...rum-rules.html

And if you have been here before, please direct me to the thread you posted because I would like to see what advice was given.

Moderator cut: Please discuss the topic, not each other.

[Becca8377]

Moderator cut: Orphaned: post you were quoting/replying to has been deleted



Nope, there are several things I dislike about the Syracuse area. But there were sacrafices I was willing to make to come here and I am very happy with my decisions. I like to make the best of a situation. I never attacked you, I only disagreed with your point of view (see yes I am allowed to have my own opinion too!)

And again, I would love to see your previous posts under your other screen name. It would allow us to see what advice was given and how you ended up in your situation unhappy with the rentals. And people may be able to help you find a better place to live being able to see what was already suggested.

But you keep blowing it off, so I don't believe you have been here before.

[ckhthankgod]

13088 is in Liverpool, but you said that you lived in Henderson, which in Jefferson County. So, I'm just trying to get an understanding as to why the discrepancy in location and how one can go from the immediate Syracuse area to finding a place in a very rural area 2 counties away. That is not trolling at all.