Young family moving from South to Syracuse area- visiting soon- advice? (New York: best suburbs, for sale)

[kay3592]

Was hoping you could help me out on some specifics, we are visiting the area soon and I'd like to know what neighborhoods to drive through. Here are the facts:

1. Husband would be starting a new job, I would be staying home for now. 2 year old son, 5 month old daughter. My husband would be working in North Syracuse, so we would be looking for less than a 20 min commute.

2. 175k-210k house, assuming 6-8k in property taxes. We like established neighborhoods- but not fixer-uppers. Would like to get good property value, but also have some charm. We do not want to feel like we are in a strip mall or a money pit.

3. Schools (elementary especially) are high priorities. Looks like Jamestown-DeWitt and Baldwinsville are the best?

4. Are "villages" generally more desirable? More expensive?

5. How much is insurance? Is flood insurance a factor with all the water?

6. How much would a heating bill be for a 2000 sqft house in the winter months?

If anyone could give specific streets in Baldwinsville, DeWitt, Liverpool or Cicero that would be VERY helpful. Those are the areas I *think* we would be interested in judging from other posts. Oh- is Clay on the decline? I see lots of "nicer" houses for sale...

THANK YOU in advance.

[ckhthankgod]

You can live pretty much anywhere with that price range. Clay is actually one of the safest town over 50,000 people in the country and is a big town. Fayetteville-Manlius, Westhill, West Genesee, Marcellus and Skameatles are all very good. There are some others as well.

Villages tend to have higher taxes due to more services, but that can vary. Some are pretty desirable like Fayetteville, Manlius, Skaneateles and Liverpool.

Flooding isn't really a big issue in general, but when looking at homes, check to make sure.

Here's a good website for searching homes: CNYHomes - the Syracuse and Central New York Real Estate Source

and other info.: Onondaga County, New York

Visit Syracuse :: Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau

www.greatschools.net/newyork (broken link)

Onondaga County Parks :: Syracuse, NY

[kay3592]

Thank you for the information!!! I'm going to check out those other areas you mentioned. I think I looked at Manlius one time and decided it was too far of a commute for my husband.

Also good to know that Clay is a good choice, seemed to be a lot of nice houses. How would you compare Clay to Cicero? North Syracuse school district to Liverpool school district? Also, I am getting a bit confused with the overlapping villages and towns. Is Liverpool in Clay? Is Radisson a village? Please forgive my ignorance!

[ese522]

Hello! Welcome to the forum, hopefully we can help you with all of your questions.

I graduated from the North Syracuse Central School District 2 years ago and I can say the district is a high quality one. Both Liverpool and CNS (Cicero-North Syracuse) are good school districts, the one thing though is that they are HUGE districts...my graduating class was more than 750 students, Liverpools is around 500-600. These are 2 of the biggest districts in Central New York, which for me as a student was not a problem but it all depends on the type of school youd like your kids to go to. Obviously, the elementary and middle schools are smaller, but as they get older 5 or 6 of these schools merge into the high schools. So its all up to you, but as a recent high school grad, I would recommend either district.

Liverpool is in both the Town of Clay and the Town of Salina (its split between the 2). The Town of Clay is a massive area, but the Village of Liverpool is a very nice area you may really like, with Onondaga Lake Park, close Proximity to Carousel Center Mall and Downtown (and University Hill for SU games ) etc.

However, youll find that Syracuse is a very central area and you can get anywhere in under 20 mins. So there are so many great places that fit what you are looking for. Good luck!

I'm excited for you and your move and hope that you will come to love Syracuse as much as I do!

[kay3592]

Thank you! Very helpful info, I am excited to look around. We go this coming weekend so I'm sure I'll have another set of questions when we return

[ckhthankgod]

Another thing is that Cicero is the fastest growing town in Onondaga County and Clay is the biggest town outside of the city of Syracuse in the county. Parts of or large chunks of schools districts like Liverpool, North Syracuse, Baldwinsville, Phoenix and I believe Central Square are in the town of Clay. Most of Cicero is in the North Syracuse SD, but parts of the Central Square, East Syracuse-Minoa and I believe Chittenango SD's are in that town.

Here are some more websites that can help in terms of schools too: New York schools - NY elementary, middle and high school information

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/County.do?year=2009&county=Onondaga (broken link)

http://www.ongov.net/planning/docume...a%20County.pdf

and more about communities: Onondaga County, New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[grdnrman]

Originally Posted by kay3592

Was hoping you could help me out on some specifics, we are visiting the area soon and I'd like to know what neighborhoods to drive through. Here are the facts:

1. Husband would be starting a new job, I would be staying home for now. 2 year old son, 5 month old daughter. My husband would be working in North Syracuse, so we would be looking for less than a 20 min commute.

2. 175k-210k house, assuming 6-8k in property taxes. We like established neighborhoods- but not fixer-uppers. Would like to get good property value, but also have some charm. We do not want to feel like we are in a strip mall or a money pit.

3. Schools (elementary especially) are high priorities. Looks like Jamestown-DeWitt and Baldwinsville are the best?

4. Are "villages" generally more desirable? More expensive?

5. How much is insurance? Is flood insurance a factor with all the water?

6. How much would a heating bill be for a 2000 sqft house in the winter months?

If anyone could give specific streets in Baldwinsville, DeWitt, Liverpool or Cicero that would be VERY helpful. Those are the areas I *think* we would be interested in judging from other posts. Oh- is Clay on the decline? I see lots of "nicer" houses for sale...

THANK YOU in advance.

Hello kay3592 & family,

I am happy to give you whatever info I can.

From what you have outlined in your questions, I think the best suburbs for you are Cicero and the far northern newest part of Liverpool. That is the information I'll be giving you.

YOUR QUESTIONS>>

#1) Your husband work in North Syracuse. My employer's there too. I live in Cicero and like it there. My commute is 15 minutes--good weather. The drive could take a little longer from some Cicero locations.

#2) In Cicero, as well as other suburbs, you will find nice homes that you will probably like. For the most part, I think you will like the home developments that are on (CICERO)-streets that run off Lakeshore Road and on streets off South Bay Road (north of Rt. 481). In these developments you will find "smaller-starter" homes, larger size nice homes, and some $400,000+^ homes.

#3) Both the Cicero-North Syracuse School District AND the Liverpool School District are good school systems. In Cicero there are several elementary schools, 2 middle schools-(one on South Bay Road near Gillette Road), and the High School is on Route 31 in Cicero. Liverpool has a similar situation.

#4) No. There is no advantage to living in a Village but you do get to pay an additional Property tax for the village.

#5) Home insurance cost can vary. There is insurance which usually covers only 80% toward damages; some people think that's adequate. Then there is "replacement value" insurance which covers 100% of damages. A deductable in both cases. All the streets and properties I have suggested to you, NONE of them are in a "Flood Zone"; it's up to you if you want additional insurances coverage for specific damages.

#6) Heating bill. Well, will you be on a budget year round plan so that each month's bill is about the same? A lot of people do that to sort of have a "fixed" natural gas/electricity bill each month. You will probably use some air conditioning. I would "guesstimate" that a house size-2000 sq. ft.-would have a $200 a month gas/electricity "fixed budget plan" payment.

Beacuse you will have (I'm assuming) limited time when you visit Metro Syracuse, I am going to just give you nice neighborhoods/specific streets in Cicero and PART of Liverpool (Liverpool area is huge); no other suburbs. Since I don't know your specific tastes, pardon me if I suggest a few streets that you do not care for; I will do my best to give you the nicest streets which will have a range of homes. Bring your cell phone so you can call realtors. Most open houses are on Sundays from 12 or 1 PM til 4 PM. Following are my recommended specific CICERO streets. TOMORROW I WILL GIVE YOU THE LIVERPOOL INFORMATION. I hope you have a Syracuse/Suburbs street map OR you can print-out neighborhood street maps on here from the street names I give you now.

CICERO STREETS>>
Streets off LAKESHORE ROAD>>
A) Turn onto Snowshoe Trail North = drive on these side streets = Rossland Circle & Dawns Ridge & Lydia Lane & Ketch Drive & northern part of Osborne Drive (south part is old).
B) Turn onto Deena Course then farther in=Julia Trail
C) Turn onto Backstretch Path then farther in=Alabama Path & Gulf Stream Path & Finish Line Trail
D) Turn onto Eldan Lane then to Farmgate Path & Fieldway Lane & Hardwood Lane & Yulewood Circle & Wooderton Path & Catspaw Terrace & Old Towne Path & Treeview Circle
E) Turn onto Waterview Circle
F) Turn onto Marra Lane
G) Turn onto Wedgefield Lane then to Lombardi Drive

CICERO Streets off South Bay Road>>
A) Turn onto Cicero Stage OR Matilda Gage (same neighborhood) then to Electric Railway & Moyers Carriage & Addison Loomis & Codys Corners & Anglers Club
B) Turn onto Henryk Woods Rd. (off S. Bay Rd. OR off Thompson Rd.) then to Gaspe Lane & Yukon Drive & Sloop Drive
C) Turn onto Gillette Road East then go to Circuit Ride Path & Toll Gate Rd. & Jembla Runne & Cicero Mills Rd. & Raisin Bee Runne & Ashery Lane & Isaac Cody Rd. & Trolleys End & Carriage Shop Rd.
D) Turn onto Laurelwood Lane then to Brownstone Path & Misty Ridge Lane & McCambridge Drive
E) Turn onto Pine Grove Road East then to Donnybrook Drive & Hyacinth Lane & Marigold Lane & Hiller Drive & Rose Court Drive

CICERO Streets off Thompson Road North>>
A) Turn onto Lisi Gardens Drive
B) Turn onto Leslieanne Path then to Michaeljon Way & Falconwood Drive & Duckwood Drive & Owlwood Drive
C) Turn onto Diffin Road then to Parker House Path & Stone Arabia Road & Falconwood Drive
D) THERE IS ANOTHER NEW DEVELOPMENT OFF >THOMPSON ROAD NORTH< BETWEEN ISLAND ROAD AND SOUTH BAY ROAD BUT IT IS SO RECENT THAT MY MAPS DO NOT SHOW THE STREETS NOR THE STREET NAMES - Sorry. It's very close to Cobblestone Drive but on the East side of Thompson Road North.

CICERO Streets off Whiting Road>>
A) Turn onto Alizarin Ave. & Sienna Drive & Raulli Drive & Pizzto Drive

CICERO Streets off Route 31 west>>
A) Turn onto Barcaldine Drive then to Bingley Lane & Wyandra Drive & Calms Trail & Ravensthorp Way & Rockingham Path & Congleton Circle & Quamby Road

IN ALL THE ABOVE MENTIONED CICERO STREET NEIGHBORHOODS, YOU WILL NOTICE >OTHER< STREETS WHICH YOU MAY DECIDE TO LOOK AT/RESEARCH FOR HOMES.

HOMES CURRENTLY FOR SALE>>

http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...43358&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...42233&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...42164&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...44691&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...37721&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...37506&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...45988&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...45799&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...40129&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...37719&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...37503&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...42930&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...47288&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...45559&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...39119&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...43385&AgentID=
http://www.syr.interealty.com/propse...40311&AgentID=

Click on the following link line, then enter the appropriate property address and then Click on "GET MAP". .. www.mapblast.com/

FOR YOUR INFORMATION. The Major Shopping and Business area for Cicero is north and south along Brewerton Road/Route 11 at Caughdenoy Road; and to a lesser extent along Route 31 east in Cicero. On Brewerton Road is where you will find grocery stores-fantastic Wegman's 24 hrs., Price Chopper 24 hrs., Walmart Groceries & Super Store 24 hrs., Target, restaurants, car dealers, auto supply stores, tire stores, 14 offices of banks/credit unions, Home Depot, Lowe's, sports bars, office supply stores, fast food, coffee shops, wine & liquor stores, gas stations, pharmacies, Hallmark, Marshall's, Burlington Clothes, and more stores.

I hope I've given you a good view of the Cicero suburb.

[ckhthankgod]

I will say that one advantage to villages is the walkability factor. Here are some examples: Walk Score of 500 2nd street liverpool ny

Walk Score of fayetteville ny

Walk Score of north syracuse ny (Some neighborhoods may or may not have sidewalks though)

Walk Score of baldwinsville ny

Walk Score of manlius ny

Here's some information on villages too: Village of Liverpool Home Page

Village of North Syracuse

WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE OF BALDWINSVILLE

http://www.fayettevilleny.gov/

http://www.manliusvillage.org/

and some other villages in the area: Village of Minoa New York

Village of East Syracuse

Official Village of Solvay Website

Welcome to the Village of Camillus (http://villageofcamillus-ny.gov/ - broken link)

Welcome to the Village of Skaneateles! | The Village of Skaneateles

Village of Marcellus, New York

Village Of Tully: Homepage: [Digital Towpath]

Village of Jordan, New York

Village of Elbridge

A possibility is to find something just outside of a village where you can still get to it quickly, but you would also avoid paying the "extra" taxes due to the overlapping of services.

[kay3592]

Thank you both so much! We have a lot of exploring to do. It will be a quick trip, but I'm hoping we can get a good idea of the area/cost of living. I'm relieved to hear that the gas bill isn't upwards of $400. Having never lived in a snowy climate we have a lot of unknowns. I have heard that we'd need to get a snow plow service.

As far as house tastes go, we are a funny mix. We both like the character and charm of old houses, but we are both pretty practical. My husband especially- has to have updated plumbing, electrical, attached garage, etc. Now that we have kids I think we are beginning to see the advantages of the 'burbs. At the same time I automatically freeze up at the thought of a "cookie cutter" neighborhood. But, then I see how pretty and new the kitchen is... lol. Is Radisson extremely expensive? Is that in Baldwinsville "village"?

Again, thank you all so much! I think I am already seeing that Syracuse is a friendly place!

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by kay3592

Thank you both so much! We have a lot of exploring to do. It will be a quick trip, but I'm hoping we can get a good idea of the area/cost of living. I'm relieved to hear that the gas bill isn't upwards of $400. Having never lived in a snowy climate we have a lot of unknowns. I have heard that we'd need to get a snow plow service.

As far as house tastes go, we are a funny mix. We both like the character and charm of old houses, but we are both pretty practical. My husband especially- has to have updated plumbing, electrical, attached garage, etc. Now that we have kids I think we are beginning to see the advantages of the 'burbs. At the same time I automatically freeze up at the thought of a "cookie cutter" neighborhood. But, then I see how pretty and new the kitchen is... lol. Is Radisson extremely expensive? Is that in Baldwinsville "village"?

Again, thank you all so much! I think I am already seeing that Syracuse is a friendly place!

Radisson is a planned community with it's own golf course, along with a business park, parks, a Y, a skating rink and apartments as well. I'd say it is pretty upscale, relatively speaking. It is actually just east of the village of Baldwinsville and is just west of the Route 31 shopping corridor. It's not that far from I-481. So, you could live there and get to work in North Syracuse in a short time.

Radisson Community

Radisson Community Association, Inc - Living in Radisson

CNY's Finest Planned Community

Radisson Greens Golf Course

Greater Baldwinsville Ice Arena

- YMCA of Greater Syracuse