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Okay, for those that haven't read my previous posts. My family and I are considering moving to the Syracuse area from Long Island. We've pretty much narrowed it down to a few neighborhoods/school districts (Liverpool, Clay, Cicero, Baldwinsville, West Genesee). My husband works from home so finding a job would not be an issue. We have now expanded out search to Condos rather than a traditional "house", mostly because of the price, and we're a little scared of relying on just one income. To me some of these don't even seem like condo's. More like semi's or row houses, they have a yard and everything, maybe it's just different lingo down here, plus I get the impression "upstaters" are used to more property. If we were to go with this option, we'd like to keep it under 100k, and 3brs with about 1200 square feet. I've found a few options and want your opinion on these complexes and their surrounding neighborhoods.
The others are located in better neighborhoods in my opinion.
I can see the one in Clay, but what is wrong with Village Green? Not that the one in Clay is high crime, but it isn't well kept in some parts. Village Green has a golf course in the community.
Okay, for those that haven't read my previous posts. My family and I are considering moving to the Syracuse area from Long Island. We've pretty much narrowed it down to a few neighborhoods/school districts (Liverpool, Clay, Cicero, Baldwinsville, West Genesee). My husband works from home so finding a job would not be an issue. We have now expanded out search to Condos rather than a traditional "house", mostly because of the price, and we're a little scared of relying on just one income. To me some of these don't even seem like condo's. More like semi's or row houses, they have a yard and everything, maybe it's just different lingo down here, plus I get the impression "upstaters" are used to more property. If we were to go with this option, we'd like to keep it under 100k, and 3brs with about 1200 square feet. I've found a few options and want your opinion on these complexes and their surrounding neighborhoods.
Please check the street addresses for these condos that you inquired about. I will give you my opinion of each.
1) 4155A Burningtree Rd., Liverpool 13090. I would not recommend this one.
2) 8408A Bramblebush Circle, Liverpool 13090. This one is located quite near the condo listed above. It's a different condo complex than #1 above. I would not recommend Bramblebush.
3) 5517 Trastevere Rd., Clay 13041. I do not care for this one either.
4) 762 Village Blvd., Village Green Development, Baldwinsville 13027. Years ago I used to visit friends throughout Village Green; I don't know anyone there anymore. When I used to visit this development years ago, my impression was that I liked the places there. Nowdays people tend to say that it's not good now. You would have to decide for yourself.
5) 4166 Tommy's Trail, Liverpool 13090. I like this condo the best of any of the ones you listed in your Post. These condos are built as 2 condos per building rather than long, long multiple unit condos in a single long building. I have driven all around this general suburban streets/neighborhoods many times; and on this street also. This one street of condos is located in a neighborhood of single family homes; not street after street of condos & apartments. Big beautiful Onondaga Lake Park is just 1.4 miles west on Long Branch Road; a 3 minute drive. You can ride your bike (or drive your car) to the park and BICYCLE-through the traffic-free (NO Motorized Vehicles) Park all the way south to Liverpool village; visit library, post office, Nichols Grocery Store, Heids Hot Dogs & Ice Cream shop, and more small shops/stores. The condo location is great too because there is shopping on very nearby Oswego Rd./Rt. 57; fantastic Wegman's Grocery Store, and more stores, etc. also. If you decide that you like the Tommy's Trail property, I think you've made a good selection--You must have a home inspection performed to determine building condition. Looking at the picture of this condo unit, there appears to be a "firewall" between the 2 condo units for fire protection.
6) 601 Woburn Dr., Spring Hill Condo Development, Camillus 13031. I do not have first hand/personal knowledge about this development, but in the past I've heard that it's a good development.
CONDOS USUALLY HAVE MONTHLY "CONDO FEES" WHICH WILL BE IN ADDITION TO YOUR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS.
Now let me ask you, why are you considering a condo when you can buy a SINGLE FAMILY HOME, without additional monthly "condo fees", for under $100,000 in good/decent suburbs like: part of Liverpool 13088, Camillus 13031, North Syracuse 13212, Fairmount 13219, East Syracuse 13057, maybe Mattydale 13211-if the nearby airport would not bother you. Do you need home listings for under $100,000, let me know.
Would you consider a single family home like this one that follows; no monthly condo fees. This particular single family home is located in a decent Liverpool 13088 neighborhood of ranch & cape cod style homes. This house has a full basement that could be utilized for an office & little play room & maybe another small bathroom. http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...37863&AgentID=
I agree that buying a home would probably be better, as grdnrman stated, you can find a home at 1200 sq. ft. for under 100k in a safe area with good schools.
In a nice residential neighborhood off Long Branch Road, Liverpool 13090. Near Onondaga Lake Park. Fantastic Wegman's Grocery Store on Oswego Rd./Rt. 57. Near the condo on Tommy's Trail. http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...42731&AgentID=
"GET MAP" to see a streets/neighborhood map showing locations of these properties, click on following link line and enter the appropriate information. Then click >> "GET MAP". www.mapblast.com/
I could suggest other similar priced single family homes in other suburbs if you request me to do that.
I would recommend the townhouse on Woburn Drive in Camillus. The property is located in Weatheridge, a planned development consisting of single family homes, townhouses, and condos. The surrounding neighborhood includes Pioneer Farms, one of the more upscale subdivisions in Camillus. Compared with the other choices, the Camillus listing is located in a considerably more desirable area that is solidly middle to upper middle class. There is a healthy mix of young families and empty nesters.
I would recommend the townhouse on Woburn Drive in Camillus. The property is located in Weatheridge, a planned development consisting of single family homes, townhouses, and condos. The surrounding neighborhood includes Pioneer Farms, one of the more upscale subdivisions in Camillus. Compared with the other choices, the Camillus listing is located in a considerably more desirable area that is solidly middle to upper middle class. There is a healthy mix of young families and empty nesters.
True and If I'm not mistaken, that area is probably similar to where she is from on Long Island.
Here are many more single family homes for your consideration. You requested homes priced under $100,000 so that is what I found for you. I could have found you nicer/better homes that have a higher selling price. These nicer/better homes would be in nice safe residential neighborhoods where you don't have additional monthly HOA fees and don't have restrictions as to what you can do with your home/property. Homes that are Condos or located in Planned Communities usually have monthly HOA fees in addition to your mortgage payment. There are usually property/home restrictions as to what you can do with your home/property also. Restrictions can include: you can not install a privacy (or any kind) fence, no children's swing set/slide/play gym unit allowed, no small water-pool allowed for children, no storage/tool building allowed, no parking small RV's or travel-trailers on your property, & other restrictions--check before you buy. If you are going to make a monthly mortgage payment of $800 PLUS a monthly HOA fee of $200, you might as well buy a nicer/better single family home and have your monthly total $1000 payment go entirely toward building equity in your nicer home you've bought rather than never see that monthly HOA $200 fee do much for you.
Thanks everyone for your feedback...and so quickly! I think I've realized a few things based on the feedback, and now have more (ugg) unanswered questions. I think it's safe to say I need to compromise on my budget to get what I want. I can't get a single family with the finish I want for under $100 (at least listed under $100), and the "condo" option has some obvious drawbacks, although I'm not totally ruling it out yet.
I guess ultimately my question is this... How much would you say a household income for a family of four (2 kids, 6 and 1) should be in order to afford a home in any of the afore mentioned areas in my original post? We don't have any debt besides our current mortgage, and student loans totaling $225 a month (and would like to keep it that way). Our original budget was $125, with $20 to put down, but I think we're getting a bit gun shy now. Perhaps some where in between is best. Right now we are both working, and we're a bit fearful of the idea of only one salary. Around here it's basically unheard of! but mortgages and taxes are insane here too, so I guess it's somewhat relative. Our current combined income is around $150 a year, but that's both of us with a $3,100/mo. mortgage and child care expenses, so it's not as high as it seems, trust me. If we moved we would be working with a little less than half that as I am currently the "bread winner".
If you could give me an idea of an appropriate price range (while still being able to save for college), that would be great!
Also I work as a teacher presently, and if we do this move, would go back to work in a few years once my kids were a bit older. Can anyone give me an idea of teacher salaries and/or job availability in the area? Just thinking ahead!
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Condos vs. Single Family Homes
