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My partner and I are considering moving to several different cities in the Northeast. We are planning to take a trip, but unfortunately we won't have very much time in each city, so we want to make the most of making sure we see the right things to decide if the city fits us.
We would appreciate any advice people could give about what are the important areas or places to see in Syracuse, not as tourists but as people thinking about moving there.
Some info about us..
We are a lesbian couple, late 20's, both with MA degrees but both thinking about new careers (her library science, me public policy/ women's/LGBT nonprofit work)
We don't have and aren't planning on kids for awhile, so we're not worried about available schools, etc.
We like living in the city rather than the outskirts/suburbs - being able to walk to stores, etc. would be ideal
We can handle cold weather and snow
We like outdoor opportunities to go hiking, biking, canoeing, etc.
We are looking to rent a 1-2 bedroom apartment or small house, probably can't afford anything over $1000/month - are there nice neighborhoods in the city for this rate?
We have a 50-pound dog so specific neighborhoods that might be more dog-friendly are welcome
We'd like to get a feel for the culture of the city - where do young professionals hang out? What are the most popular areas in town that locals return to, that are worth seeing before we decide? What are the social "hubs" of the city?
Are there any major dislikes you have about living there? Anything we should see firsthand that might make us NOT want to live there?
Basically, we don't want to drive around aimlessly once we get in town.. but we also don't want to follow a tourist guidebook because that doesn't give the same feel as actually living there.
Also, can anyone speak to the LGBT-friendliness of the area? I have heard from others that upstate/central New York is fairly conservative, but what is the atmosphere in the city itself?
I have and will be reading older threads to get information as well, but any new advice would be awesome. Thanks!
Along with ToeJam's good suggestions, perhaps the Westcott and other nearby Eastside neighborhoods in the city as well. If you search for Syracuse neighborhoods, there are various guides that have been posted on this forum that will give information.
to get a feel for the city, if you're here in the winter, go ice skating in clinton square, then lunch/dinner at the dinosaur bbq. it was a bikers' bar that serves killer bbq ribs that the rest of the community found out about. now, it's not uncommon to find bikers and business people mingling in the dining room. it is the only restaurant in the city that i'd bring visiting friends to. it's very unique.
after dinner, you can check out armory square and its plethora of bars, restaurants, and a couple of clubs. armory square is the social hub for young professionals.
for a interesting stroll in the city, i'd recommend the creek walk. specifically, the portion from franklin square to the park and rec. office. it is a hidden gem of a walk downtown.
if you want to get a feel for the university area, people watch on marshall street. there are also plenty of restaurants there.
another great place for a walk is onondaga lake park in liverpool, or the erie canal park, in camillus. the latter is a restored canal path, with a water bridge over 9-mile creek.
Because of the dog, I'd say Westcott (busy, with walkable shops) or Strathmore (quiet, not walkable.) Note- my definition of walkable is being able to walk to get a few last minute things and it being easy to use the bus (ie no car *necessary.*)
Otherwise, "Little Italy"- the old-but-renovated apartments on North Salina St.
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