Thank you, Bellafinzi (Syracuse, Clay, Binghamton: low crime, how much, home)

[boomvang]

Because of one of Bellafinzis' post on a previous thread, my wife and I have found our dream location, Cazenovia, NY. We have been looking for over a year for a place to retire to, away from the rat race that is Long Island. We had considered the entire northeast, concentrating mostly on Vermont/Western NY. On Bellafinzis recomendation, we found ourselves checking out the Cazenovia area and found a wonderful farmhouse with barn, pond and wonderful views for a price we could well afford. We love it and the area and just want to let you and the rest of the forum know how much we appreciate the heads up.
Gary

[bellafinzi]

Gary, wow, you're welcome! I'm glad I could help. It's hard to believe sometimes how much my posts can affect people. I know the Syracuse area well, and all I feel I'm doing is conveying my knowledge to others.

Cazenovia is a really nice community. In my opinion, the only thing wrong with it is that everyone there doesn't want it to change much. So there are many residents that fight every proposed development. I guess I can't blame them. Cazenovia just has so much potential to attract more people to the region, that's the reason I'm more pro-growth than those who live there.

Thanks Gary for your post! It makes me happy when others find the place where they have been searching for!

Someday, I'll have to head out to Caz and take some pictures....

[Phish Head]

for opening my eyes to Syracuse. My wife and I haven't moved there yet, but I've been offered a position that I will be taking in Binghamton, starting in May. I only have to be in Binghamton twice a week, so we are looking hard at the Syracuse suburbs. We were looking in Scranton but decided to rule that out, mostly because of the presence of SUNY ESF, I can continue my education (I am employed in the environmental industry).

We are interested in living in either Cicero, Marcellus, Camillus, or anywhere else that has good schools, low crime, open space, friendly people, and good home prices. These three towns fit the bill, from what I can see. We especially like Cicero, for the proximity to Oneida Lake. Bellafinzi, your pics were awesome!

Also, we are both Italian, and Roman Catholic, and there seems to be a large number of Italians in this area. Am I right to assume this? We want to become involved in any community that we move to, and hopefully be accepted. If anyone on here from Syracuse has any other info which would be helpful for us, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks again!

[boomvang]

The fact that the folks living in Caz are so careful regarding development is one of the prime attractions for us. I have seen first hand what unrestrained development does to an area. That is one of our main reasons for leaving the Island.

[bellafinzi]

Thanks Phish Head!

Historically, the northside of the City of Syracuse had many immigrants from Italy. Over the years many Italian and Roman Catholic families moved to the northern suburbs of Syracuse. So yes, North Syracuse, Clay, Salina and Cicero have a very large population of Italians and Roman Catholics. I remember the newspaper did map after the 2000 census and it showed Italians as the top ethic group in northern Onondaga County.

boomvang, don't worry about too much growth, the Syracuse area hasn't boomed since the 1960s. I'd love for it to start growing again, but too many people today are afraid of snow. So unless this "snowless" winter becomes the norm, I only foresee moderate growth rates.

[bellafinzi]

Phish Head, any update? Did you make to the Syracuse area?