Syracuse area communities I recommend (New York, Clay: house, neighborhood, school districts)

[bellafinzi]

Originally Posted by Ladibug1026

For example a few people have suggested Liverpool and East Syracuse-Minoa. These schools are not well ranked, but people have identified them as "good", so ultimately my question is why? Do you feel their rank does not give an accurate picture of the area?

I'm mostly looking for homes now in the West Genesee, Fayetteville, Liverpool and Jamesville-Dewitt school districts. Remember that my budget is a max of 125,00, and preferably under, for a family of 4. Also must be near civilization, I'm from Long Island and by no means a country girl. Anyone with a child in these schools that could give some feedback would be great.

Can someone tell me what areas are accessible to high speed internet? (i.e. Fios) My husband needs it for this job, so this is a major deal breaker. It's everywhere here so I never even considered it.

Thanks for everyones help. We are planning to do a visit in February if this is still an option by then, and I would like to have a clue where to look. : )

The East Syracuse-Minoa school district never had a great reputation, but the Liverpool school district was once one of the better school districts in the area...back in the 1980s. This was years ago when it was a growing district, now the district is shrinking due to population declines and recently closed an Elementary School.

Fios is available in:
Clay
Cicero
DeWitt
Salina
Camillus
Lysander
Van Buren
Village of Fayetteville

Verizon launches FiOS TV service in eight CNY communities | CNY Business Journal (1996+) | Find Articles at BNET

Ladibug1026, this probably won't help your questions involving school districts, but I just wanted to mention that "Glen NY" is a city data member you can look up in past posts, who moved to the Baldwinsville/Lysander community from Long Island years ago and enjoyed his time living there.

[Vintage Sunlight]

Surprisingly, when I checked with my auto insurer, my auto insurance actually would go up if I moved up there. I used Cicero as the zip code vs. where I currently live. It wasn't much and I'm not making an issue about it, but it goes to show how the weather does impact how car insurers predict the likelihood of having an accident due to the snow there vs here. I can't think of any other reason for the difference.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Union Federal

Surprisingly, when I checked with my auto insurer, my auto insurance actually would go up if I moved up there. I used Cicero as the zip code vs. where I currently live. It wasn't much and I'm not making an issue about it, but it goes to show how the weather does impact how car insurers predict the likelihood of having an accident due to the snow there vs here. I can't think of any other reason for the difference.

A part of that could be that Cicero tends to get more snow that other parts of the area, as it is close to the snow belt. So, I wonder if that played a part as to why it could go up.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Ladibug1026

Okay more questions....I've changed a few of the neighborhoods that I am researching.

My concern is mainly surrounding the quality of schools. I've looked at the "rankings", and that gives a general idea. As a teacher I know that test scores are important, but they're not everything. That being said, I currently live in a district ranked 29th in the state, so I could be a bit spoiled. I also want to take into account things like discipline problems in the school, course offerings, administration and parental involvement. For example a few people have suggested Liverpool and East Syracuse-Minoa. These schools are not well ranked, but people have identified them as "good", so ultimately my question is why? Do you feel their rank does not give an accurate picture of the area?

I'd really like to narrow this down to 2-3 neighborhoods, and I feel like the list keeps growing.

I'm mostly looking for homes now in the West Genesee, Fayetteville, Liverpool and Jamesville-Dewitt school districts. Remember that my budget is a max of 125,00, and preferably under, for a family of 4. Also must be near civilization, I'm from Long Island and by no means a country girl. Anyone with a child in these schools that could give some feedback would be great.

Some more questions on other things.

Can someone tell me what areas are accessible to high speed internet? (i.e. Fios) My husband needs it for this job, so this is a major deal breaker. It's everywhere here so I never even considered it.

Also what is the cost for auto/homeowners insurance. My bother lives upstate by Albany and pays significanly less than we do?

Also what is the preschool tuition like? When my son went we sent him 3x weekly from 9-2:30, and it was around $6000, but I would probably do half days for my daughter if we move because I wouldn't be working. Another thing to budget for in the near future...

Thanks for everyones help. We are planning to do a visit in February if this is still an option by then, and I would like to have a clue where to look. : )

Actually, ES-M isn't a bad school district, but it isn't the best. It has more of a varied vibe due to having 2 old Railroad villages in it and it has some rural areas like Kirkville in the district. Fremont is more a mix of old and new suburban development. Park Hill, Parkwood and Franklin Park are older, but I would say that Franklin Park is the best out of those 3 areas that are close to each other. What that school district offers is various programs that can range from vocational to high level academics. It also has good special education programs and that could effect the test scores as well, versus other districts that might not have as much of an emphasis on special ed. East Syracuse-Minoa Schools : Welcome

Liverpool is similar in terms of school district situation. It's bigger than ES-M and is the 3rd biggest school district in the area behind North Syracuse(2nd) and the Syracuse City SD(1st). It's one of the more diverse suburban SD's in the area in terms of race/ethnicity and economics, but I would say it is solidly middle class. It's high school is the 2nd biggest in the area behind Cicero-North Syracuse in terms of grades 9-12. Liverpool Central School District

As for FiOS availability, here's a list of communities: New York Fios Availability - Fios New York - Verizon Fios NY

As for Pre-K, I think it depends upon the school. My kids went to the Jowonio School, because my daughter has autism. So, i'm not sure about the cost, but it is a school worth checking out: Jowonio School

and here is the fee info.: Jowonio School

ES-M also has a Pre-K program at the Park Hill School: East Syracuse-Minoa Schools : Park Hill Pre-K (http://www.esmschools.org/Schools/ParkHillPre-K.aspx - broken link)

I think Liverpool has a Pre-K program as well. North Syracuse has a Pre-K program at the Main St. School: Main St. Early Ed.

There are Montessori options too: Montessori School of Syracuse > Home

Montessori Discovery School, Syracuse/Dewitt NY -- Preschool and Kindergarten for ages 3-6

Here are some other schools with Pre-K: http://school.hcparish.com/

Blessed Sacrament School (Syracuse, New York)

Manlius Pebble Hill School: A Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 Private School near Syracuse, New York

Bishop's Academy at Holy Family

Immaculate Conception School

St. Mary's Acdemy: Where Faith and Knowledge Meet

St. Rose of Lima School NY

St. Margaret School About Us

Bishop's Academy at Most Holy Rosary

http://baldwinsvillechristianacademy.com/

http://www.faithheritageschool.org/

There are others, but those are some that I could think of off the top of my head. BTW-if you have questions about the Westhill or ES-M school districts, just let me know. My wife went to ES-M and I went to Westhill. So, we know from experience and our families still live in those school districts. I also live in the North Syracuse SD and know a bit about that district too.

[proulxfamily]

Originally Posted by Union Federal

Surprisingly, when I checked with my auto insurer, my auto insurance actually would go up if I moved up there. I used Cicero as the zip code vs. where I currently live. It wasn't much and I'm not making an issue about it, but it goes to show how the weather does impact how car insurers predict the likelihood of having an accident due to the snow there vs here. I can't think of any other reason for the difference.

It may be due to your not being used to driving up here in *our* snow. I would consider our car insurance low... $280 for full coverage with a $500 deductible, windshield replacement, all the high coverage for driver and passengers that NY requires as a minimum plus umbrella coverage, towing/hotel/food/rental coverage, etc.

I would likely have higher insurance rates if my entire credit and physical/residential histories weren't also here... I know that adding my husband to my auto policy raised the premium for two years, the amount of time they gave for him to adjust to driving here... moving from Key West. lol

[proulxfamily]

Originally Posted by Ladibug1026

Okay more questions....I've changed a few of the neighborhoods that I am researching.

My concern is mainly surrounding the quality of schools. I've looked at the "rankings", and that gives a general idea. As a teacher I know that test scores are important, but they're not everything. That being said, I currently live in a district ranked 29th in the state, so I could be a bit spoiled. I also want to take into account things like discipline problems in the school, course offerings, administration and parental involvement. For example a few people have suggested Liverpool and East Syracuse-Minoa. These schools are not well ranked, but people have identified them as "good", so ultimately my question is why? Do you feel their rank does not give an accurate picture of the area?

They're both entirely average, performance-wise, due to the WIDE range of demographics. That said, there's nothing unsafe or bad about them... regular families, from working poor to upper-middle class... your children get out of the education offered as much as their effort to learn. And as much as the parents encourage their involvement. They're both very large districts... I'd guess 350-500 students in each graduation class.

I'd really like to narrow this down to 2-3 neighborhoods, and I feel like the list keeps growing.

I'm mostly looking for homes now in the West Genesee, Fayetteville, Liverpool and Jamesville-Dewitt school districts. Remember that my budget is a max of 125,00, and preferably under, for a family of 4. Also must be near civilization, I'm from Long Island and by no means a country girl. Anyone with a child in these schools that could give some feedback would be great.

Our eldest daughter goes to kindergarten in the Fayetteville-Manlius district and it has been nothing but excellent. Many resources available to the children and very well-staffed... a teacher AND a full-time teacher's assistant for 24 children.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest East Syracuse-Minoa, however. Still a good district and the HUGE bonus for your family is that they have universal Pre-K, provided by the district. I believe they even bus. That would save you a LOT of money, time and the classes are real... not a daycare... and held in the old schools that were originally built in the district as the high school. (Park Hill.) Lots of attention to the children, learning, and great facilities available. Starting 1 year-old through 4, before K. http://esmschools.org/Schools/ParkHillPre-K/YearOlds1.aspx (broken link) Explore that a bit and see what it's like.

Also what is the cost for auto/homeowners insurance? My bother lives upstate by Albany and pays significanly less than we do.

We pay $280 for full coverage, every 6 months, on one vehicle. Our homeowner's is $485/year with nearly triple replacement value.

In your position, I would look in the area of Minoa (13116), which is nestled right against Fayetteville... you'd get all the perks of being in the ES-M district for pre-K but also close to all the shopping in Fayetteville and Dewitt. And Green Lakes State Park/Beach would be a few minutes' drive away. Time Warner Cable offers high speed residential service to this area, up to 10Mps.

[Ladibug1026]

Originally Posted by boomvang

Ladibug, as a ex-Long Islander , I can tell you that both auto and homeowners are much cheaper, about 1/2 or less. Utilities are also less, as are most restaurants. (as they should be, my only real complaint is the lack of really good deli, pizza and chinese) Can I ask what part of the Island you are from? I think of the various areas mentioned as follows:
Minoa=Islip Terrace
Liverpool=a nicer version of Lindenhurst
Fayetteville=Huntington
I can tell you that I love it here and find it difficult to go back to L.I. for visits.

Thanks so much, that helps a bit. I am in Wantagh south of Merrick Rd., and yes, I have wondered about finding a good deli. I went awway to Oneonta for a year in college, and found it impossible to find a good deli or bakery.

[Ladibug1026]

That's awesome! We pay 165 a month for two cars!

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Ladibug1026

Thanks so much, that helps a bit. I am in Wantagh south of Merrick Rd., and yes, I have wondered about finding a good deli. I went awway to Oneonta for a year in college, and found it impossible to find a good deli or bakery.

Interesting. You might like Jamesville-DeWitt, as there are some good delis in DeWitt. I believe there is one on East Genesee Street in the area of the school district I suggested. I believe that there is one in Nottingham Plaza, which is on the DeWitt/Syracuse line. DeWitt, Syracuse's East Side and recently, the Fayetteville-Manlius area is where the Jewish community is concentrated and I believe that the owners of the delis in those areas of town are Jewish.

There are other delis in the area, like Liehs and Stegerwald's. They have a location on Route 31 in Clay(Liverpool SD).

Also, Wegmans Supermarkets have good delis, with the locations in DeWitt, Taft Road in Clay, Onondaga Boulevard and Fairmount having extensive food courts with a variety of offerings.

There's also Harrison Bakery on East Genesee and West Genesee Street in Syracuse, Geddes Bakery in North Syracuse, Fremont Bakery in the village of East Syracuse near the bridge on Bridge Street, Columbus Bakery and Biscotti Cafe on the North Side and many of the supermarkets have good bakeries as well. I'm probably forgetting some more too.

[proulxfamily]

Two favorites... Village Deli on W. Manlius St. in the Village of E. Syracuse (hello, pastrami gloriousness!) and Geddes Bakery in North Syracuse for the best.cannoli.EVER. They also have gelati in the warm weather... Assisi-worthy gelati. Awesome, awesome people.