Moving to upstate NY Syracuse/Oswego area (New York, Clay: houses, schools)

[keszler]

Hi, I am from the UK and my wife is from the US (WV) we are currently living in the UK looking to relocate to upstate NY around Oswego county/Syracuse area. We're looking for something rural but not too far from Syracuse city.
I gather the weather can make travel bad around the winter time? What are the more rural areas like (up around Lake Ontario etc) for climate/transport etc?
Are there good public transport links from Owego area to Syracuse?
Any information would be really hepful. Thanks.

[ckhthankgod]

Well, you can look at places like Hannibal, the Town of Oswego, Scriba and New Haven, if you want the Lake. Those places you might have to take either Route 3 or Route 104 to connect to either of the two major highways there, I-81 or Route 481.

Some other towns or areas that are in Oswego County, but with easier access to Syracuse are:Phoenix, Mexico, Parish and Central Square. All are close to 81 or 481 and Central Square is really close to Oneida Lake. Towns like West Monroe, Cleveland and Constantia are also on the lake and are in the Central Square SD. Brewerton on the Oswego County side is nice too and is a small community in that district as well. Phoenix is on the Oswego River too. Outside of Fulton, in the towns of Granby and Volney are pretty much rural too, with close access to 481.

[Sgoldie]

Oswego on Lake Ontario, not to be confused with Owego without the S located in the southern tier of NYS by the PA border.

As far as public transportation is concerned there is a Centro bus that runs from the city of Oswego into Syracuse for about $6 each way, the trip being about 50%+ more time consuming than if driven by private car. Within the city of Oswego, which is walkable, there is in-city bus service, necessary if you don't have a car as the majority of new stores are located at the eastern city limits away from the downtown. Oswego is the county seat and the city is split equally on both sides of a rather large river with falls and two bridges spanning across. There are developed walkways along the entirety of the river and lakefront including marinas but no beach in town per se. International freighters pull into the port. Population is about 18,000 and a state university college adjacent. Harborfest, a huge deal is going on this weekend and there's a hooley next month. Farmer's markets in most towns and villages and free outdoor weekly concerts on the lakefront in Oswego. There is also an inexpensive country club for golf as well as a yacht club.

To the east you have rural Scriba, no downtown, a mix of suburban and older houses on minor to major acerage, no farms to speak of though it is allowed anywhere outside the city other than a couple of large onion farms, kids go to Oswego schools. Mexico is a small village with a few shops, tiny library, couple of restaurants along the main road, schools, a few blocks of historic homes, and a small lakefront park and boat launch a few of miles out of town. Next would be Pulaski which is closer to the N/S route 81 and similar dynamics as Mexico but slightly larger. There is a state park at the lake there for camping and swimming. None of these three have public transportation worth noting. Each has a community feel with social clubs and community activities and practically no crime.

The drive from all four would take approx 35-40 minutes to reach the edge of Syracuse in good weather. In bad it could take hours. There is a nice new shopping development along Rt 481 in Clay that can be reached more quickly with national quality stores.

[Classicalguy]

In comparison with a big city like NYC, public transportation in upstate new york is not very good. I think most people who can afford it get around by car. I really have no problem getting around in the winter. I put snow tires on my car and have my driveway plowed. My car is in a covered garage at home and at work. The streets are very well cleared. Driving in a really heavy snow storm can be scarry to people not used to it - it feels a bit like a video game when the freeway is whited out - but even then it has not been a problem for me. I would recommend looking for a place that has a garage for your car, because scraping the snow off the windshields would be unpleasant.

I can't comment on what it would be like to get around without a car.


I like Oswego. Seems like a nice place. Note that Syracuse is in Onondaga County, not Oswego County.

[twentyfour01]

Keszler... in the interests of fairness you should know that Oswego County is THE epicenter of upstate New York snow. Because of the way lake effect snow develops, Oswego County gets markedly more snow than most other counties in that area.

Not saying this to put down Oswego County... there are other good descriptions of it here... and as has already been said, the municipal snow removal systems are second to none (when a big storm happens, they're as prepared as they can be).

[jeni582200]

oh wow. i do not envy you.

[YankeeTom]

Oh Wow! I DO Envy You ! !