Close to University Hospital (New York, Syracuse: relocating, estate, homes)

[Gasgal]

I'm a single female who's relocating to Syracuse for residency training at the University Hospital. I've spent HOURS and HOURS on the internet trying to figure out what the best areas are near the hospital to live. I know it snows a lot in Syracuse so I don't want to have a long commute. But I'd rather not live downtown (because of the crime I've been reading). I know there are some beautiful communities surrounding the downtown area, but don't know how feasible it will be to have a short commute (less than 20 min). I've been thinking of living at Lafayette (seems like a convinient commute and nice area). I was wondering if anyone could share thoughts about what are the best communities within 20min of the University Hospital. Any feedback will be immensely appreciated!

[cpiseco]

LaFayette is a beautiful area; small and quiet, safe and friendly. I'd say it's about 12 minutes to the University area. If you don't feel like living in the city itself, LaFayette is a great place to live.

[bellafinzi]

All of what cpiseco said is true.

I've actually never been to Lafayette....the hamlet. Only driven through the rural countryside. Keep in mind that Lafayette is NOT a suburb in a tradition sense of the word....tract homes, chain stores, and restaurants etc. Lafayette is a rural community near a city. The major drawback to Lafayette is no grocery stores or nearby shopping. Also, Lafayette is a small town. Therefore it may have small town qualities like nosey neighbors.... people that don't mind their own business. That's one of the main reasons why I enjoy living in the suburbs. Everyone keeps to themselves. In general, no one knows who you are and no one cares. I'd probably stick out like a sore thumb if I lived outside a large urbanized area or a sea of suburban neighborhoods.

There are many communities other than Lafayette where you can get to University Hospital within 20 minutes. For example, neighborhoods in Salina, Clay and Cicero near Interstate 81. Or DeWitt, maybe even eastern Camillus near an I-690 on ramp.

Hope this helps! If you tell use what you are looking for in a community, then we might be able to help you narrow it down.

[Gasgal]

Thank you so much for your replies. I've never lived in a rural area. I'm sure it will be very pretty and I like the idea of living at a beautiful, quiet, country-like area. On the other hand I'm a single female and don't know anyone in the area, so I'm not sure if I'd get scared at nights when it thunders or hear weird animal noices coming from the fields. Bellafinzi, you're probably right about the nosey neighbors. I'd rather live in an area where people mind their own bussiness, but still are nice & friendly. I'd like to live in a community with lots of green, but not so rural that I would have to walk for miles before I see signs of civilization (meaning stores). I'll look into the areas you mentioned. Are there any apartment complexes that you know of that you would recommend? Again, I appreciate your replies!

[bellafinzi]

Check out Cobblestone Square Apartments in Cicero. Here's a link: Cobblestone Square in NEW YORK - Apartments for rent | ApartmentFinder.com

I have no first hand experience with the apartment complex, but I know its located in a nice quiet suburban setting with nearby shopping centers. Plus it's located near I-81 and I-481. Both highways will take you to University Hospital in different routes. You could test both out to see which route is faster and easier.

The major drawback to Cicero is that it can see on average 20 inches more snow than let's say...Lafayette. Generally, the more north you go, the more snowfall...since 70% of the region's snow comes from lake effect snow off Lake Ontario...which is located north of Syracuse.

Another Apartment complex that is probably nice and in a decent location as well is Starlight Estates in Camillus. A very new apartment and on the upscale side, so prices might be a bit on the high side. Here is a link:
Starlight Estates in NEW YORK - Apartments for rent | ApartmentFinder.com

Good Luck! Hopefully others with actual personal experiences with local apartments will chime in and help.

[johnny99]

The east side of the city is very nice including the University District and so are Jamesville and Dewitt. All would be an ez commute (10 minutes) and are safe communities. Its April and gas is already $3.75 a gallon up here! It will cost you a mint to commute in daily from Cicero. Also winters up here are to be respected. I recommend you live as close as you can to the hospital especially if you are putting in long hours. Check out Nob Hill apartments. Nob Hill Apartments - Syracuse, New York

[bellafinzi]

Originally Posted by johnny99

The east side of the city is nice and so is Dewitt and Jamesville. All would be an ez commute and are safe communities. Its April and gas is already $3.75 a gallon up here. It will cost you much more to commute in daily from Cicero or Camillus.

DeWitt would be ideal since its so close, but I could not find a really nice looking apartment that was highly rated in DeWitt.

Two drawbacks I have with DeWitt is Erie Blvd is very ugly/very depressing.....and I'm unsure of the type of people that live in the apartments in DeWitt. There's absolutely no effort to beautify that commercial strip or cut down all the overgrown weeds. I'd hate to live on the eastside just for that reason alone.

Farther out in the eastside...the apartments out in Fayetteville and Manlius have no highway access...making it much longer commute.

[adh27]

Hey there,
Not sure what program you are starting, but I am actually starting neurology there at Upstate this July. I'm a married female moving to the area from California. We found a nice place to rent in Baldwinsville. Seems like a nice community, and the people were all really friendly.

[urbanplanner]

I used the following information for others who are moving to Syracuse. Many seem to like it. I thought you also would like a summary of Syracuse and its suburbs from wikipedia.org. It provides pictures, history, economy, demographics, and other links, including a number of Syracuse suburbs and recent events.

Syracuse, New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Clay, NY is one of the northern suburbs of Syracuse and rapidly growing (see attached).
Clay, New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There is also Cicero and Lysander to the immediate east and west Clay respectively.

Cicero, New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lysander, New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Keep in mind that North Syracuse is split between the Towns of Clay and Cicero. The Village of Liverpool is located in the Town of Clay. Closer to the Syracuse University is the Towns of Dewitt and Manlius.

DeWitt, New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Manlius (town), New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You may also consider Camillus which is west of the City of Syracuse. You may want to keep your eyes out for a brand new lifestyle center called Township 5 that will include, retail, office, residential, hotel, and theatres (see attached).

Camillus (town), New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cameron Group, LLC - Township 5

You may also want to consider the Town of Onondaga, which is south/soutwest of the City and has a pop of approximately 20,000 people. There is a major community college called (appropriately) Onondaga Community College and it is growing. I understand that a major mixed use (residential/Office/retail) is about to break ground across the street from the college with approximately 250 new homes.

Onondaga, New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are a whole host of villages that surround the City that you may like as well, including Baldwinsville, Skaneatelas, Fayetteville and Cazenovia that are worth looking into.

Baldwinsville, New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Skaneateles (village), New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fayetteville, New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cazenovia (village), New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you are into urban living and entertainment, check out Armory Square, Hanover Square, Franklin Square and Marshall Square...

Armory Square - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hanover Square, Syracuse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Franklin Square, Syracuse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marshall Street - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

you mentioned Westcott (nice SU neighborhood) and try Eastwood...

Westcott, Syracuse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eastwood, Syracuse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There is even a Little Italy and a Tipporary Hill...

Little Italy, Syracuse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tipperary Hill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I think you will like CNY, I am very excited about the transition in the Central New York economy from a rust belt community dependent on heavy manufacturing to a knowledge based economy focused on research, development, aerospace, academics, medical and most importantly environmental technology, i.e. the Center of Excellence (under construction) downtown near SU. You may also hear about destiny usa, a commercial mixed-use shopping/entertainment/research develoment that has been heavily debated over the years.

Syracuse Center of Excellence - Syracuse Center of Excellence

Destiny USA

Anyway, best of luck with your move.

[kmbell]

If you're in residency you'll probably want a place that's easy to get back to and rest. There are some apartments on Nottingham Rd. in Dewitt near the University area, but I've been there and it's nothing special.

If you don't mind roommates there are a lot of nice older houses in the Westcott St. area on Victoria Pl. near the public library, on Allen St., and in that area that would likely have space for renters.

Are you looking for a studio or do you mind roommates? My friend got a really nice one-person split-level place in Tipperary Hill for $600/month. It's not as handy to the University, and he's now moved back closer to have the option to walk to work, but it's a clean and hip neighborhood.

If you stay within city limits, you should never have more than a 15-minute commute. I actually know someone who's looking to relocate from Lafayette to spend less on gas and less time driving everywhere. In the surrounding University area there is even a free-fare zone to ride the bus if you'd rather not take a car.