Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My fiance , our 12 yr old & I are leaving FL and heading to Syracuse by the end of July. We are staying with a friend until we can get back on our feet (long story). My fiance and I each have degrees in healthcare administratuon and I have a double major in medical assisting. What is housing and schools like along with the job market? What about things to do during different seasons? Is there activities for LGBT families in Syracuse? What about areas to avoid, etc?? I'm coming from a small town full of country folks whose idea of a good time is getting drunk and mudding. We like arts and exhibits and of course the great outdoors with waterfalls and nature trails.
You should be fine. Given the skills and education mentioned, the job market should be good. Housing is pretty affordable, but be aware of property taxes. Even when factored, you could still make out on par with FL, if not better. Here is information on the LGBT community: PFLAG Syracuse
I agree with ckhthankgod, you should be fine. You will both do very well considering your respective professional fields. Plus, Syracuse has evolved into a more progressive city that has shed much of its old heavy blue collar mentality, to illustrate:
The area has transitioned to a green economy based on meds, eds, tech and tourism, it is a diverse community with Syracuse University, State University of New York (SUNY) ESF and SUNY Upstate Medical Center playing a major role in its redevelopment, along with LeMoyne College and Onondaga Community College playing a lesser role.
I am not sure if you are interested in an urban neighborhood or suburban, but there are a couple urban neighborhoods you may be interested. The Westcott and Hawley-Green neighborhoods are both very diverse. Hawley-Green is transitioning with a large gay and lesbian population. The Westcott neighborhood within the greater university hill area was ranked one of the top ten neighborhoods in the USA in 2009 by the American Planning Association which I am a member. It includes some great restaurants, like Alto Cincos, plus the Westcott Theatre.
As far a recreation, you will have plenty with easy access to Adirondacks, Mohawk Valley, Green Lakes State Park, the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, etc. In addtion to the State Fair, there is Harbor Fest in the City of Oswego, the Sterling Renaissance Festival and Shakespiere in the Park in Syracuse.
The city is adjacent to Onondaga Lake and Onondaga Lake park that is going through a huge clean-up and is coming back to life. The lake will soon be surrounded by a trail that will connect the Erie Canal system with the new completed Creekwalk that cuts through the City from Onondaga Lake to downtown Syracuse. The Creekwalk will eventually connect downtown with southern neighborhoods of the City. The Connective Corridor will intersect the Creekwalk at Armory Square which has become a vibrant urban neighborhood that is helping to transform downtown and includes entertainmnet venues like Redhouse. The Connective Corridor is intended to bring downtown and the University closer together with new pedestrian and biking trails that will connect cultural, art, business and entertainment along selected corridors, including Syracuse Stage and SyrART galleries.
You may also be interested to know that there is a building boom downtown, developers cannot build new apartments, condos, lofts fast enough to meet demand with a 99% occupancy rate. Most of the new units are conversions, same as what has happened in NYC the last two or three decades. Plus, there is $1.4 billion of planned investment for Syracuse
Among other things, your children may be interested in visiting the MOST, Museum of Science and Technology in Armory Square, the City has a great zoo, the Erie Canal Museum, there is Wonder World at Destiny USA which is a huge shopping experience on the banks of Onondaga Lake.
All of this is not to suggest that Syracuse does not have problems, there is still some old school, less than open minded, not in my back yard, damned if you do, damned if you don't, vision-less thinking that continues to plague aspects of the community. The City struggles with serious finanical problems that can be attributed to its small geographic size relative to the County and universities and colleges that cut into its revenue stream. University and colleges are not-for-profit and tax exempt. Locals can be very negative, but that there is an increasing number of new people that believe in Syracuse's future. Syracuse is also subjected to high taxes, regulations and economic conditions dictated by Albany. Plus, the weather can be brutal between October and April, although it has been mild lately.
Last edited by urbanplanner; 06-10-2013 at 05:09 PM..
What are you looking for in a neighborhood or community?
We will be staying off of State Street between McAllister & E Brighton. I'm not 100% happy with the area, but it's FREE rent for the next six months or until we can get settled & on our feet. We would like to live more in the country, but not a far commute to the local hospitals & mall. I haven't driven on snow since 2006 & we didn't get that much in Ohio. I want safe neighborhoods with parks, etc.
"The Westcott Nation" is a wonderfully diverse, culturally stimulating neighborhood within a 5-minute drive to downtown Syracuse and a 25-minute walk to Syracuse University and the major teaching hospitals. The local school is Ed Smith ([url=http://www.scsd.us/schools/k-8/EdSmith]Ed Smith | The Syracuse City School District[/url]) and it is THE best K-8 school in the city. There's also a nearby Montessori School if you want to go the private school route. Housing is very affordable and considerable financial assistance is available through the University Neighborhood Preservation Association or UNPA for short ([url=http://www.unpa.net]UNPA - University Neighborhood Preservation Association[/url]). Check out the houses east of Westcott and south of Euclid -- that area is a bit more residential and family-friendly than some of the rental areas closer to campus. You and your family would fit right in!
"The Westcott Nation" is a wonderfully diverse, culturally stimulating neighborhood within a 5-minute drive to downtown Syracuse and a 25-minute walk to Syracuse University and the major teaching hospitals. The local school is Ed Smith (Ed Smith | The Syracuse City School District) and it is THE best K-8 school in the city. There's also a nearby Montessori School if you want to go the private school route. Housing is very affordable and considerable financial assistance is available through the University Neighborhood Preservation Association or UNPA for short (UNPA - University Neighborhood Preservation Association). Check out the houses east of Westcott and south of Euclid -- that area is a bit more residential and family-friendly than some of the rental areas closer to campus. You and your family would fit right in!
You beat me to it, as I was going to say that if you don't mind the city of Syracuse, that the Westcott neighborhood could work. Another area in the city that may work is the the area of Eastwood around Sunnycrest Park, as according to the NY Times 2005-2009 American Survey Map, it has the highest percentage of same sex households for a census tract in the area(includes streets like Shotwell Park, Melrose Ave, Hickok, etc.). Second was the census tract in the South Valley(south of Seneca Turnpike) east of Valley Drive and west of I-81. Mapping America ? Census Bureau 2005-9 American Community Survey - NYTimes.com
knowlesk80, I know where you are talking about and understand what you mean. If you want to live in the country, but not too far from the hospitals or the/a mall, I'd say to look into the Jamesville(town of DeWitt)/Southwood(town of Onondaga) area(Jamesville-DeWitt Schools) or some outer parts of Onondaga Hill(depending on where you are Onondaga Central, Marcellus, West Genesee or Westhill Schools). Both areas are close to the city of Syracuse, but have more of a rural character and are close to hospitals and shopping. Both of those areas are in good school districts, but can also be relatively pricey. So, it will depend on what you are working with.
Also, if you are willing to rent first, you may like apartments in both of those areas as well.
Is there anything else that you may prefer or look for in an area to live in?
You beat me to it, as I was going to say that if you don't mind the city of Syracuse, that the Westcott neighborhood could work. Another area in the city that may work is the the area of Eastwood around Sunnycrest Park, as according to the NY Times 2005-2009 American Survey Map, it has the highest percentage of same sex households for a census tract in the area(includes streets like Shotwell Park, Melrose Ave, Hickok, etc.). Second was the census tract in the South Valley(south of Seneca Turnpike) east of Valley Drive and west of I-81. Mapping America ? Census Bureau 2005-9 American Community Survey - NYTimes.com
knowlesk80, I know where you are talking about and understand what you mean. If you want to live in the country, but not too far from the hospitals or the/a mall, I'd say to look into the Jamesville(town of DeWitt)/Southwood(town of Onondaga) area(Jamesville-DeWitt Schools) or some outer parts of Onondaga Hill(depending on where you are Onondaga Central, Marcellus, West Genesee or Westhill Schools). Both areas are close to the city of Syracuse, but have more of a rural character and are close to hospitals and shopping. Both of those areas are in good school districts, but can also be relatively pricey. So, it will depend on what you are working with.
Also, if you are willing to rent first, you may like apartments in both of those areas as well.
Is there anything else that you may prefer or look for in an area to live in?
Great suggestions ckh, Jamesville is a great area! Jameville Beach Park is there too, great for the kids. I had a lot of good memories there, plus balloon fest.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
