Syracuse/Oswego for a Lesbian family? (Buffalo, Plattsburgh: insurance, neighborhoods, theatre)

[Soon2be3]

My partner is about to accept a job near Oswego, so we'll be moving up there soon. We're also having a baby in the spring

Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone has any advice on the gay-family-friendliness of the various towns and neighborhoods from North Syracuse up to Oswego? I'm not expecting a nightlife or a "gay scene" but it would be nice if we aren't the only gay people in town, and I don't want my kid(s) to have to deal with a lot of harassment from close-minded people. I've heard that Syracuse is pretty good, and we can do that if we have to, but that makes a long commute! Oswego would be really close, and Baldwinsville looks close too. I'm picking things off a map, I have no idea, really. I know Oswego has a SUNY college, so I'd think that would help...

The other things I'd like in a town are things like a good farmer's market in summer, proximity to a lake where I can sail, good parks or trails to take the kids out on, and close proximity to basic stores (ie groceries, hardware...) However, I can travel some for all of those things, the first priority is having a good environment for the future kiddo(s). Speaking of which, info on the quality of schools would be great too!

I'm from upstate NY (Plattsburgh), so I'm familiar with (or at least aware of) the general cold, snow, semi-rural life, etc issues. We're moving from Chicago, so it'll be a big adjustment no matter what!

[Sgoldie]

Hum, I don't think you'd have much trouble in Oswego. Sure, there will be some small minded people. You're probably familiar with that already.

Commuting back and forth from Syracuse to Oswego can be a pain in the winter though tons of people do it. Oswego has the lake and many nice walking trails and park playgrounds with lots of activities for kids. The teachers are fairly open-minded, so no trouble in that regard and the schools are rather good. There are a very few gays, men and women of various ages who are known and not given much of a problem.

Don't consider Fulton. If I had to make a recommendation near Syracuse it would be Liverpool. The lake is polluted but the schools are good.

[Soon2be3]

Thanks, Sgoldie. Yeah, I know there'll always be a few - nowhere is perfect. Liverpool is one that DP's future coworkers suggested, as is Baldwinsville. We're seriously considering Oswego though, it would make the commute much easier.

[rug city]

Oswego area had over 100" of snow during a ONE WEEK period last winter- it was literally up over the tops of their roofs- just ungodly. I would think long & hard before settling in that area, as you grow older it becomes near impossible to make it through those winters.

[Sgoldie]

It's a lot easier living in Oswego and driving ten minutes to work than it is spending 45 minutes (more in snow) to get here.

[Chenzy]

I would suggest trying Phoenix.

It is South of Fulton by 7 miles but closer than Liverpool or Baldwinsville. This town is very liberal.

Pricing in the area is good.

Schools are great.

The area is very nice to live in no matter what section of the village you live in.
You would be very accepted here.

You want to get as close to Oswego as possible for the winter months the winters can be very brutal at times. Last year i believe we won "most amount of snowfall in the country award" lol, but we got it all in 6 weeks so it wasn't long and drawn out.
Good luck no matter where you wind up.

This is a great area with a lot of scenery and close enough to everything you can think of without losing the country charm.

Good luck with your move.

[Chenzy]

BTW a lot of people live in Phoenix and commute to Oswego.

Its approximately 14 miles and we don't always have winters like last year, actually other than 6 weeks winter was very mild here.

[Sgoldie]

I'm not sure the village of Phoenix would be preferable over Oswego as Oswego is larger and has more to offer plus it's walkable including all along the river and lake.

There's sailing lessons for kids at the Maritime Fdn, a Marine Museum with 'tales of the sea' for kids, a 'teddy bear tea' put on by the chamber, the 'great pumpkin fest', Harborfest with a children's parade, reinactments at the Fort, a children's theatre, youth hockey, swimming at the Y, an arts center, a youth orchestra, and free music lessons in the schools. Oswego is very kids oriented.

The hospital is also very progressive in its maternity ward.

[Soon2be3]

Originally Posted by Sgoldie

The hospital is also very progressive in its maternity ward.

That's good to know, I wasn't sure if it would be and I was contemplating a drive to Syracuse while in labor. I'll have to check that out.

Oswego area had over 100" of snow during a ONE WEEK period last winter- it was literally up over the tops of their roofs- just ungodly.

Yup, that'll be fun. I can deal with snow though (never had quite this much, but I've lived in high-snowfall areas), and if it gets too much to deal with in another 30 years, I can move again then. For this winter while I'm pregnant and DP is dealing with a new job, we may hire someone to do the plowing. Incidentally, the alternative city was Buffalo, which is no stranger to snow either. And (more importantly) didn't have an available job!

Chenzy - thanks for the suggestion of Phoenix, I'll add that to the list of places to consider!

[Ham Sandwich]

Just FYI-
Onondaga County is getting a bit more "with it"---recently (summer '07, I think) the Onondaga Co. School system announced that it was offering insurance coverage for partners--this was a big step and took a LOT of advoacy, but...It stuck (I think) because people were *aware*... Awareness took advocacy..(Thank you, SAGE, Stonewall, Pride Agenda, and all others...) But the point is that the Onondaga School system had the graciousness to announce it, publiclly, over all media, and state (it was to this effect) "we cannot *state* that we are are a caring and inclusive community and then not behave that way..."

Maybe the school system is the weatherhead...I hope so.

There are many groups. The LGBT group at SU keeps "updated" books on groups --ie, if you want to find other LGBT parent groups, they'll have a list of those in your area.... that's probably a good place to go for some FYIs.

Congrads, blessings on your new family-
Ham Sandwich