How do you view the Syracuse area? (New York, Buffalo: sales, apartment)

[acknight]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

about the city schools. I understand that some of the city schools are "rough", but I think that a child can get a good education there. It's tough to judge a district strictly on test scores or other things, because getting an education has more to do with the support system at home. While there are some kids that are slipping in the Syracuse City SD(a shock in a school district in a major city(sarcasm)), there are also kids that are going to Ivy League and other great colleges and universities from the same school district. It also has an advantage in comparison to the other school districts in the area in terms of interaction with people from diverse backgrounds, which in today's globalized world, could actually be an advantage and a part of the education process that the other districts just can't teach on a personal interaction level. I believe there is also a program that is coming to the city school district that will allow students from the district to attend SU depending on certain criteria. This is similar to the Kalamazoo promise, from what I've heard:https://www.kalamazoopromise.com/ So, all I'm saying is to do some research and figure out what you want in terms of schooling.

I'm personally proof that one can get a perfectly good education in the Syracuse City School District.

The program you refer to is called "Say Yes to Education," I believe. Home

[johnny99]

Balla why don't you just move if its so bad? Instead of constantly trashing Syracuse on this board. You should walk Syracuse's hoods before you decide to bash us. There are many gr8 areas that I think are much nicer than the cookie cutter burb you live in.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by acknight

I'm personally proof that one can get a perfectly good education in the Syracuse City School District.

The program you refer to is called "Say Yes to Education," I believe. Home

Thank you, acknight. I just couldn't remember the name of the program. Hopefully, it is a success.

[JohnK_Bville]

Originally Posted by johnny99

Balla why don't you just move if its so bad? Instead of constantly trashing Syracuse on this board. You should walk Syracuse's hoods before you decide to bash us. There are many gr8 areas that I think are much nicer than the cookie cutter burb you live in.

I agree, I'd rather live in Sedgwick then B'ville. Plus when you're in the city you're closer to all the good resteraunts like Asti's on Salina and OIP. Not to mention all the time and gas you save.

[ckhthankgod]

Like I said on a local forum board, I wouldn't be surprised if you started seeing people move back into the city of Syracuse due to the Gas situation and to be able to get around efficiently. You pretty much need a car in most of the suburbs in Syracuse and that could be a huge factor. That is on top of the new project like the Westside Initiative involving SU and Home HeadQuarters, the evacuation of Kennedy Square, which will be used by Upstate Med. and I believe SU. That area might bring people to housing in the still nice and affordable Westcott area, among other Eastside neighborhoods. So, the city is not a lost cause.

[itowle88]

Bellafinzi, I actually have to agree with you for the most part - I'm an architect that may be moving there for work... Attracting people and good jobs to a city is much like attracting a mate - intitial decisions are almost purely on appearance.... Name off quickly your favorite cities in america - and i gurantee it will have a single iconic element whether it be a monument - statue of liberty, golden gate bridge - space needle - sears tower... or some other focal point - newbury street, central park etc, pike's place market... A city needs a point of pride - look what happened to chicago after their waterfront development.... it's infectious.... create things of wonder, experience and beauty and it spreads.... it's remarkable what a fresh coat of paint can do for an old house....

Originally Posted by bellafinzi

You're right. Most natives tend to think the Syracuse area is 1) smaller than it truly is, 2) more dangerous than it really is 3) has worse weather than it really does and is 4) doomed to forever have a terrible economy.

I've stated this many times before, but if Syracuse civic leaders really desired to improve Syracuse's image...one easy way to do it is to simply combine all the four separate developments proposed for downtown Syracuse into one tall modern skyscraper. Turning Stone Casino's image was drastically improved after it built the Tower Hotel. Now when you drive past on the Thruway, the hotel makes you feel like there is a beckon of hope, pride and sophistication out in the middle of nowhere. Now just imagine if a similar tall building was constructed, not in some cornfield, but in the middle of downtown Syracuse! Just one building over 25 stories high as nice or nicer than the Turning Stone Tower Hotel would create pride in Syracuse again. I can almost guarantee it.

Too bad most local leaders fail to see that modern looking new buildings and the way the city looks is much more important than throwing money at social programs and parks.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by itowle88

Bellafinzi, I actually have to agree with you for the most part - I'm an architect that may be moving there for work... Attracting people and good jobs to a city is much like attracting a mate - intitial decisions are almost purely on appearance.... Name off quickly your favorite cities in america - and i gurantee it will have a single iconic element whether it be a monument - statue of liberty, golden gate bridge - space needle - sears tower... or some other focal point - newbury street, central park etc, pike's place market... A city needs a point of pride - look what happened to chicago after their waterfront development.... it's infectious.... create things of wonder, experience and beauty and it spreads.... it's remarkable what a fresh coat of paint can do for an old house....

I guess the Carrier Dome would be that iconic element considering that when you think of Syracuse, you think of the University and it's sports teams.

[bellafinzi]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

I guess the Carrier Dome would be that iconic element considering that when you think of Syracuse, you think of the University and it's sports teams.

Yeah, but the Carrier Dome is ugly. Most people find it hard to take pride in ugly buildings. Like I said, I guarantee that Syracuse will be able to attract more jobs, residents and create more pride if somehow developers managed to build 10 strikingly beautiful modern buildings taller than 12 stories (or at least one over 30 stories) within the city limits.

I'm not sure most people in the Syracuse area..... with that blue collar mind-set.... realize just how much the built environment affects one's mood and out-look in life. The yuppie crowd and most people that "know how to dress" like to be around attractive, modern, and clean built environments....whether it be a shopping mall, a downtown, a city or a suburban neighborhood. I'm probably more sensitive than most people in this regard...so maybe I just notice it more than the average Syracusan.

itowle88, Thanks!

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by bellafinzi

Yeah, but the Carrier Dome is ugly. Most people find it hard to take pride in ugly buildings. Like I said, I guarantee that Syracuse will be able to attract more jobs, residents and create more pride if somehow developers managed to build 10 strikingly beautiful modern buildings taller than 12 stories (or at least one over 30 stories) within the city limits.

I'm not sure most people in the Syracuse area..... with that blue collar mind-set.... realize just how much the built environment affects one's mood and out-look in life. The yuppie crowd and most people that "know how to dress" like to be around attractive, modern, and clean built environments....whether it be a shopping mall, a downtown, a city or a suburban neighborhood. I'm probably more sensitive than most people in this regard...so maybe I just notice it more than the average Syracusan.

itowle88, Thanks!

Don't get me wrong. I've even wondered if the Carrier Dome is outdated, but it can be a great environment as long as the teams are successful.

Yeah, Syracuse does need a couple of nice "skyscrapers" that give a seen of pride or any progressive feeling. I think that is why a city like Grand Rapids could pretty stay even with it's population within city limits and have a metro population of 1 million. Here's some examples:

[proulxfamily]

I really can't believe all the negative comments I see about Syracuse, especially from the first few posters. I love the Syracuse area! I was born here, raised here, and am raising our family here. I've travelled extensively across Europe and am always SO glad to come back home.

Those leaders with rose-colored glasses? They're trying to preserve the gem that is CNY. I don't want your development and your skyscrapers and build up. I want a nice place to raise my family. Syracuse is it.

Yes - the innermost parts of the city are, by FAR, the worst. I grew up in East Syracuse, then moved to the West Side at 10 and went to Sacred Heart school, then moved to Fabius-Pompey, lived in Liverpool, Clay, and Dewitt as a single adult, and am raising our family in Manlius. I told my husband, when we started seriously dating, that he would have to accept that I would never move from here. It is the IDEAL place to live, for us.

If you have any actual interests, rather than just BEING entertained, you'll find plenty to do and people to meet here. You need to be proactive, rather than blaming leadership for not entertaining you enough.