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Thank you both for that information. What side of Syracuse is that and how would you say the crime is?
East Side and it is a generally fine area. It is east of Syracuse University. So, you get people affiliated with the University that live, along with nearby LeMoyne College. It has a nice mix of people as well, with parks and some shopping as well. Here are some streetviews of the area:
Crime is really not bad. On par with suburban areas I would say. It's mostly petty stuff like if you leave your car doors unlocked during the night kids might open the doors and look for valuables. But like any city your good areas are usually not that far from the bad areas. Although having grown up in this area and then returning to it as an adult I've never had any crime issues.
This area of the city and the Valley area would be your closest access points to Binghamton before you are in the country with the country towns of Onondaga, Lafayette and Tully.
I also forgot to mention along with Westcott and Meadowbrook in the University Area there is also the Outer Comstock region. This area would actually be your quickest access point onto 81 or 481. It's mostly residential and they are actually in the process of building some really nice new high end eco friendly homes in Outer Comstock. CNYHomes - 1 Xavier Woods Drive Syracuse 13210 Outer Comstock is walkable and has a park, it just doesn't have the nearby stores or restaurants you can walk to like in Westcott or Meadowbrook but both those areas are within biking distance of Outer Comstock.
I know you are looking to rent but just so you can get an idea of the types of homes in the area here are some for sale. However, these areas usually have a high number of the 2 story flats for rent. Most of these flats are really nice (with fire places and hard wood floors) as long as you stay away from the student ones closer to the university
Crime is really not bad. On par with suburban areas I would say. It's mostly petty stuff like if you leave your car doors unlocked during the night kids might open the doors and look for valuables. But like any city your good areas are usually not that far from the bad areas. Although having grown up in this area and then returning to it as an adult I've never had any crime issues even though some of the rougher areas weren't that far away.
This area of the city and the Valley area would be your closest access points to Binghamton before you are in country. In a nut shell the North, West and East areas outside of the city built up to be suburbia whereas the south of Syracuse basically jumps directly from city into country living.
I also forgot to mention along with Westcott and Meadowbrook in the University Area there is also the Outer Comstock region. This area would actually be your quickest access point onto 81 or 481. It's mostly residential and they are actually in the process of building some really nice new high end eco friendly homes in Outer Comstock. CNYHomes - 1 Xavier Woods Drive Syracuse 13210 It's walkable and has a park, it just doesn't have the nearby stores or restaurants you can walk to like in Westcott or Meadowbrook but both those areas are within biking distance of Outer Comstock.
I know you are looking to rent but just so you can get an idea of the types of homes in the area here are some for sale. However, these areas usually have a high number of the 2 story flats for rent. Most of these flats are really nice (with fire places and hard wood floors) as long as you stay away from the student ones closer to the university
Westcott -
Doesn't really have any listings right now that I could see
Good info beckyhuggs and I thought about the South Valley(south of Seneca Turnpike) as another possibility due to proximity. Maybe even Nedrow between Dorwin and Ruhamah/Lindbergh or so, if they can find a rental or maybe find a solid home. Green Hills, Kelley Park, Websters Pond, Gannon's Isle and a few other stores/restaurants would be in or close to that area. With that said, I'd say that the East Side would be the way to go, especially given the personal preference given for the criteria.
Interestingly enough, when I was searching for a new place to live, we had considered the Westcott area seriously, and we lived in Brooklyn so we were okay with a little grit. However, I was told on here by numerous people that they wouldn't feel comfortable letting their wife go to Thornden Park alone (even during the day), and that Thornden Park has a nickname "rape park" within the SU community. Even though it seemed to me based on my research that the stigma is fading away, that was enough for us to avoid the area.
Quote:
Originally Posted by beckyhuggs
Based on this and your other criteria I would actually recommend the city of Syracuse in the Meadowbrook and Wescott areas (also known as the University area but these areas have families versus the students)They are very close to 81S with easy access. I can usually get to Binghamton in a little over an hour when I go there for work (about an 1 hour 10 minutes, although I might drive too fast ). I love the region because it has a very suburban feel while still being in the city with lots of walkers, joggers and bikers. Within easy walking distance is Thorden Park which has a rose garden and outdoor amphitheater (which does Shakespeare in the park and symphony concerts) Also within walking distance is Westcott St which has a library, coffee shops, local ethnic restaurants, and stores. Wescott st is still small enough to make it feel like a small town while at the same time has a unique diverse urban feel. Within walking distance closer to meadowbrook is a drug store, other shops, banks, gas station, and grocery store.
Needless to say, I love living in this area of the city and I highly recommend at least giving it a look https://www.planning.org/greatplaces...ersityhill.htm
Interestingly enough, when I was searching for a new place to live, we had considered the Westcott area seriously, and we lived in Brooklyn so we were okay with a little grit. However, I was told on here by numerous people that they wouldn't feel comfortable letting their wife go to Thornden Park alone (even during the day), and that Thornden Park has a nickname "rape park" within the SU community. Even though it seemed to me based on my research that the stigma is fading away, that was enough for us to avoid the area.
It isn't that bad and a lot of the incidents that occurred were at night and could have been avoided by students using Public Safety services available and I dare say that personal "choices" had a little bit to do with incidents.
There's also Barry Park nearby as an option. So, Thornden isn't the only park choice in that area. Barry Park | Syracuse Parks
Good info beckyhuggs and I thought about the South Valley(south of Seneca Turnpike) as another possibility due to proximity. Maybe even Nedrow between Dorwin and Ruhamah/Lindbergh or so, if they can find a rental or maybe find a solid home. Green Hills, Kelley Park, Websters Pond, Gannon's Isle and a few other stores/restaurants would be in or close to that area. With that said, I'd say that the East Side would be the way to go, especially given the personal preference given for the criteria.
Interestingly enough, when I was searching for a new place to live, we had considered the Westcott area seriously, and we lived in Brooklyn so we were okay with a little grit. However, I was told on here by numerous people that they wouldn't feel comfortable letting their wife go to Thornden Park alone (even during the day), and that Thornden Park has a nickname "rape park" within the SU community. Even though it seemed to me based on my research that the stigma is fading away, that was enough for us to avoid the area.
I've lived in that area and worked on the University hill for years... Thornden has plenty of problems at night, because the same tree cover and secluded areas that make it a beautiful park during the day make it impossible to secure well at night. But it, like all other parks in the city and elsewhere, are legally closed at night anyways.
I'd reckon, for the same secluded areas/cover reasons, I wouldn't send anyone plugged into headphones oblivious to their surroundings alone through there, but that has a lot more to do with basic common sense than the park or area being dangerous.
I've lived in that area and worked on the University hill for years... Thornden has plenty of problems at night, because the same tree cover and secluded areas that make it a beautiful park during the day make it impossible to secure well at night. But it, like all other parks in the city and elsewhere, are legally closed at night anyways.
I'd reckon, for the same secluded areas/cover reasons, I wouldn't send anyone plugged into headphones oblivious to their surroundings alone through there, but that has a lot more to do with basic common sense than the park or area being dangerous.
Basically and it is amazing how oblivious some of the students can be, as they are into their iPad or iPhone and walk into moving vehicles without paying attention to their surroundings. That is just during the day.
Interestingly enough, when I was searching for a new place to live, we had considered the Westcott area seriously, and we lived in Brooklyn so we were okay with a little grit. However, I was told on here by numerous people that they wouldn't feel comfortable letting their wife go to Thornden Park alone (even during the day), and that Thornden Park has a nickname "rape park" within the SU community. Even though it seemed to me based on my research that the stigma is fading away, that was enough for us to avoid the area.
That's interesting as I've lived here most of my life and have never heard that but of course the students do like to come up with all kinds of things when it comes to Syracuse. I agree with other posters that any city park that is wooded and has more secluded areas can become problematic at night. My understanding is central park has a lot of those issues as well but during the day is a very popular park. During the day Thornden Park is filled with families and young children and I've never heard of those families calling it rape park.
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Wescott Area
