Los Angeles to Syracue U? (Syracuse, Oswego: live, ranked, metro)

[jessemh431]

Originally Posted by RollsRoyce

I grew up in the NYC area, however my mother is originally from Central New York and went to SU. Apparently, Armory Square was a very seedy and rundown area home to meatpacking plants, sketchy bars, and other social ills. According to news accounts that I've read, several urban pioneers started redeveloping derelict buildings for art galleries, boutiques and restaurants in the 1980s. In the early 1990s, Center Armory, a mixed-use complex was developed with retail and condos that now anchor the district. Construction was recently completed on a new office building and upscale condos. Although the neighborhood is more popular with twenty somethings, there are many students that venture to the clubs, bars, and shops during the weekend. Several years ago, SU purchased a vacant warehouse that is now home to their Visual and Performing Arts School. The Warehouse
Armory Square has quite a few boutiques that specialize in more trendy clothing that shop owners purchase in NYC. There is even a rumor that Urban Outfitters is looking for space in Armory Square.

Having also grown up in a major metro area, I decided to go to college in CNY due to the slower pace of life and more down-to-earth mentality of local residents. Having grandparents in Fayetteville also made the adjustment much easier. Although NYC is a truely dynamic city and offers many opportunities, Syracuse strikes a nice balance of culture, affordability, and recreation. As someone who currently works in Lower Manhattan, I would have found going to college in NYC too distracting.

Armory Square seems cool. I noticed there's no American Apparel or Urban Outfitters in Syracuse though!! Any plans for AA? I would die without their jackets, UOs jackets, and UOs sunglasses. Haha.

I like the big city, but Syracuse is good enough size and close enough to larger cities like NYC, Boston, and Toronto for long weekends and holidays. COL is a lot cheaper which is a big plus on a tight college-student budget too.

[jessemh431]

Originally Posted by schayban88

Snow in Syracuse is so over rated its not even funny. First of all you hear we get a lot of snow, which is true but we get it all at once. If it snows in one day then it snows a lot. But most of the time it doesn't really snow especially if its really cold out. Most of the time it doesn't even start snowing until late November early December and ends in March. Last year or two years ago we didn't even have snow on Christmas you could see the grass still out. Last year the last time we had snow was mid February. The only time you would have trouble in the snow is if you drive a stick and your on the hill. When you start out in first gear you probably will slip.

So even though it gets the most in the country, it's not like Michigan or Washington state or the Upper Midwest that gets it continuously? It's more like Denver when it gets dumped in a day or two, then warms up and melts?

My Focus is automatic.

[jrice]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

So even though it gets the most in the country, it's not like Michigan or Washington state or the Upper Midwest that gets it continuously? It's more like Denver when it gets dumped in a day or two, then warms up and melts?

My Focus is automatic.

The typical month is more like this.....
days 1-4 mostly cloudy
day 5 snows throughout the day, we get 2 inches
day 6 light dusting 1 inch
days 7 and 8 partly sunny and brisk
days 9-10 snow, total snow fall 4-6 inches
repeat 2 more times


now on occasion we will get blasted over the course of a couple of days were we can get 12+ inches of snow

now keep in mind, that might seem like alot considering you are from Cali but its not considering the roads are almost always cleared by the time people start going to work and by the U they keep up with it very well

And the city doesnt get as much snow as say where I live in Cicero

[jessemh431]

That sounds doable.

The 12+ inches seems like a scary number, but I guess if it's cleared quickly and efficiently, it would be just like any other amount of snowfall.

I saw a pic from Oswego, NY in which there was a tractor type thing plowing through snow over the top of the tractor. I'm assuming it only happened in Oswego and not Syracuse since Oswego is much more rural than Syracuse and especially the SU area.

Oh here.
Moderator cut: Copyrighted Materials-photos are not of anywhere in Upstate NY

http://www.thedieselgypsy.com/Labrador%20Snow.htm

That doesn't happen in Syracuse does it? Is it rare in Oswego?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

That sounds doable.

The 12+ inches seems like a scary number, but I guess if it's cleared quickly and efficiently, it would be just like any other amount of snowfall.

I saw a pic from Oswego, NY in which there was a tractor type thing plowing through snow over the top of the tractor. I'm assuming it only happened in Oswego and not Syracuse since Oswego is much more rural than Syracuse and especially the SU area.

Oh here.






That doesn't happen in Syracuse does it? Is it rare in Oswego?

OHMYGOSH, these pics are scaring me!!

[jrice]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

That sounds doable.

The 12+ inches seems like a scary number, but I guess if it's cleared quickly and efficiently, it would be just like any other amount of snowfall.

I saw a pic from Oswego, NY in which there was a tractor type thing plowing through snow over the top of the tractor. I'm assuming it only happened in Oswego and not Syracuse since Oswego is much more rural than Syracuse and especially the SU area.

Oh here.






That doesn't happen in Syracuse does it? Is it rare in Oswego?

having lived in Vegas for the last 6 years I would love to see that here this year for a few days

[jessemh431]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

OHMYGOSH, these pics are scaring me!!

Haha. Where do you live?

Originally Posted by jrice

having lived in Vegas for the last 6 years I would love to see that here this year for a few days

Umm...I think I would cry. LOL. Not only does it look scary, but I'm claustrophobic!

[proulxfamily]

Jesse- I have NEVER seen that much snow here in my life. I almost doubt that that's even Oswego... lol. The first pic probably is but the second and third? Hardly.

But no- NOT in Syracuse.

12 inches isn't a big snowfall... 2 feet might get school closed but it's not a given. If the snow is light and fluffy and the plows can just drive at a normal speed to clear it, no way. It's when we get those really thick and heavy snows that school is closed... a foot of really heavy snow might do it.

Light and fluffy snow = you can easily blow it out of the way and your feet go right through it. aka Powder. I wouldn't throw myself back to do a snow angel in it... you might get a concussion. lol. And two feet of it will disappear quickly since it's not so dense. That kind of snow packs down to nothing if the sun hasn't melted it within a day.

Heavy and wet snow = it packs down under your feet. You need to dig at it with your fingertips to get a handful. Good snowman/painful snowball weather. And fortunately, those are the snows that might close school.

eta: Off the top of my head, I don't think we've had more than a half-dozen 5'+ snowfalls in my 26 years. Born and raised here and the snow isn't typically scary... and the times when it *might* be? Those are the times when memories are made- enjoy them!

[jrice]

Proux--I agree. When we do get alot of snow its truly a miraculous time. Like the Blizzard of 93 to me is a great memory

[BoundtoRetire]

I have been reading this thread with great interest. I grew up in the Hudson Valley, lived in CA (SLO and San Francsico) in the '70s, and spent 15 years in Liverpool, a Syracuse suburb. Oh, and my CA native daughter lives in Angelino Heights and works in production of commercials & music videos.

Yes, those pictures probably truly were in Oswego. Oswego is in the snowbelt of central NY which stretches into the Tughill Plateau region-- and if Syracuse gets a foot of snow, they probably get at least three there. Fortunately, the higher snowfalls are generally north of the Thruway (I-95) and since Syracuse is south of it, you'll be fine in Syracuse.

However, do be prepared that Syracuse can have some pretty high snowfalls at times. Over the course of our last winter there, we had a total of about 200 inches in one season. But as others have said, it usually comes in dribs and drabs --and fortunately the public works department does an excellent job of keeping the roads clear.

Since we moved to Austin, TX in the mid-90s, the Armory Square has experienced a lot of expansion. It's a terrific area with lots of great shops, galleries, restaurants, and places I'm sure SU, LeMoyne, and OCC students really enjoy. Marshall Street is closest to the SU campus. The Wescott area was known for its vintage boutiques and a funky theater that had low ticket prices (not sure if it's still in business). Little Italy is generally the northside of the city above 690. Lots of good Italian food can be had there --my personal favorite is Angotti's on Burnet Avenue.

The Carousel Center is the large mall mentioned earlier. In it's new expanded version, I think they are calling it DestiNY or something like that. It's supposed to be on the scale of Minneapolis's Mall of America -- including a hotel, park, many more stores, etc.. It already has three levels of shopping and lots of indoor & outdoor parking.

Another nice aspect of Syracuse is that it is large enough to attract the road companies of Broadway shows -- and major concert tours also.

Yes, it will be a huge contrast to your current lifestyle, but you know, your college years are a great time to go see and experience something completely different. I hope you get that good financial aid package so that you can try life at Syracuse. Good luck!