Moving to Syracuse (New York, Medford, Lyncourt: for sale, real estate, rentals)

[maddie020700]

Hi everyone! My husband's company is transferring us to Syracuse next month from Georgia. We own a home here that we will be renting out, so we will be renting in Syracuse for at least a year until we are ready to sell. We are looking for a home with at least 3 bedrooms no higher than $1300/mo. My question though is that I have found a couple of cute little homes that are between $800-$1000/mo. I have mapped them out, but can't tell if they are in good areas or not. From what I can gather, the school districts are good, but just looking around the area on google maps I am pretty iffy on how crummy the neighborhoods are. I have been researching the area and I am prepared for how different the area will be in regards to age of the homes, etc. Staying below $1000 on rent would be great considering we are still responsible for a mortgage should something go wrong with our renters. But, I also want a quiet and safe neighborhood. I have found really cute homes only to see that a few homes down there is grafitti on the trash cans. Here are some examples:

361 Medford, Syracuse, NY, 13208 - MLS #217217 - Rentals real estate - REALTOR.com®

Rental Property for Rent - 106 Kingsdown, Liverpool, NY 13088 - Coldwell Banker Prime Properties

Another question....the snow. My husband grew up in Reno, so he at least has some experience with it. I don't. Excuse me as I sound completely ignorant. Should I buy snow tires or do I just need snow chains? I have a front wheel drive Mazda. My husband has a new Mustang with rear wheel drive, so he will be looking for an old all wheel drive for the winters. I saw a great house on Cemetary Road in Fabius that I really love, but we wondered how snow removal is out there?? I am clueless about it!! My husband will be working at Hancock ANG and we are thinking that would be a little too far anyway, especially in the winters.

Thank you in advance for any help!

[maddie020700]

In the examples of homes that I gave I just wanted to add that I did not see grafitti around either of those. Just curious about the neighborhoods because they don't look very well kept.

[proulxfamily]

Originally Posted by maddie020700

I saw a great house on Cemetary Road in Fabius that I really love, but we wondered how snow removal is out there?? I am clueless about it!! My husband will be working at Hancock ANG and we are thinking that would be a little too far anyway, especially in the winters.

Thank you in advance for any help!

My parents actually live on Cemetery Road and the snow removal is excellent. *However*, I'm fairly certain I know the house you're referring to and I wouldn't even be comfortable living there. It's on the steepest part of the hill, which is sometimes only accessible by going the long way around and heading up because going down that hill in slippery conditions wouldn't be prudent. Even that wouldn't be so much an issue, adding just a few minutes to the commute but- the driveway itself is angled such that I used to see the owners slip out in just rain. On either side of the driveway are large ditches and the parking spaces/driveway by the garage are at the precipice of a 30 foot cliff. It would be easy to overshoot the spaces in slippery conditions and get stuck in the trees.

Personally - with your husband working at Hancock - I'd stick with Liverpool. I can't think of any neighborhood, off the top of my head, that would be unsafe in Liverpool. Good luck!

[acknight]

Originally Posted by maddie020700

Here are some examples:

361 Medford, Syracuse, NY, 13208 - MLS #217217 - Rentals real estate - REALTOR.com®

Rental Property for Rent - 106 Kingsdown, Liverpool, NY 13088 - Coldwell Banker Prime Properties

The first is in an area called Lyncourt - formerly home to Syracuse China. It's largely filled with small post-war houses - but it's pretty stable as things go. Lots of little houses on little lots, but an overall good area.

The latter is on the outer eastern fringe of the village of Liverpool, and generally a pretty nice place to be. Has largely an old suburbia feel to it in that area - some of the earlier suburban developments in this area.

Either of those would be a pretty quick commute to Hancock ANG - 10-20 minutes at the most.

[Cleveland Park]

I'll second that point about the snow removal being fantastic; better than anywhere I've seen. It's still not a bad idea to live in Lyncourt or Liverpool if your husband is working at Hancock. If you'll just be renting for the first year, might as well keep that commute as short as possible.

I've never found a need for snow tires or chains of any kind; by and large, local Departments of Public Works (in the city, at least) keep the streets cleared. When snow does accumulate, drive cautiously and you'll be just fine.

[RollsRoyce]

Welcome to Syracuse. There are many newer home communities in the area, however at that price point (around $1000 per month) you will likely find houses similar to ones in your post. I would give the slight nod to 106 Kingsdown as some would consider this a more desirable neighborhood. Both properties are located in older Post WWII suburbs that are relatively stable. The Liverpool house is located within .5 mile of Interstate 90 (New York Thurway) and other shopping including Wegmans, the region's premier grocery store is nearby. Onondaga Lake Park, a popular destination for families, is only about 1.5 miles away. The other home at 361 Medford while closer to the airport and adjacent to the Thruway borders a more industrial neighborhood.

[maddie020700]

Thank you for such great responses everyone! I feel much better about either of those houses now. It would be so nice to have a house in those price ranges and not have to stress about our house here in Georgia. I was so excited to see the housing prices in Syracuse if you are buying, but it seems you don't get as much for your money if you are renting there. These little houses are cute and would serve their purpose until we decide to sell here and buy there.

Proulx-Thank you for that information on the Cemetery Road house. It would be just my luck to drive right off that 30 foot cliff...lol. We were trying to find the driveway in the online pics and couldn't figure out where it was. Very useful information to have before we signed a contract and shelled out $1300 per month only to plummet to our death!!

Acknight-Thank you for that information! I did notice a lot of small lots and small houses. We are thinking that it would work out for us temporarily. We wanted some kind of land since we have 2 kids and 2 dogs, but we can always have that later when we are able to buy what we really want. We are in the unfortunate situation of having bought a house only 4 months ago, then found out we are moving. Rather than go upside down we are going to wait to sell.

ClevelandPark-Big relief on the snow tires/chains. Thank you! We are thinking the same about the commute. It will be nice for my husband to have a shorter commute after his 30+ minute one here.

[maddie020700]

RollsRoyce-Thank you! It is so strange to me that unless we go into the $1600/mo. and up ranges we don't even get near the kind of home we are accustomed to here in Georgia. I am anxious for the time when we can buy because we found so many homes for sale that were really great! I guess you just don't get much for what you pay in the rental market there?

[maddie020700]

I meant to say, we have found homes for sale that are really great AND inexpensive. It's the rental options that shock me.

[proulxfamily]

Originally Posted by maddie020700

It would be just my luck to drive right off that 30 foot cliff...lol. We were trying to find the driveway in the online pics and couldn't figure out where it was. Very useful information to have before we signed a contract and shelled out $1300 per month only to plummet to our death!!

Eh - probably not to your death but a nearly-totalled car and several broken limbs wouldn't be too much of a stretch. There are enough large saplings and small trees on the slope below the cutoff for you to roughly roll down, rather than flip. lol - morbid, sorry. haha

Where are you looking for housing, Maddie? On Craigslist? We have acquaintances on the North side, off Grant Blvd., who rent a 4 bd, 2 ba house in a quiet neighborhood for $625/mo. I think they found it by sight though... it seems like the best places have signs in front rather than listings published. Will you be able to make a drive up before moving entirely?