Best Neighborhoods in Syracuse, NY
Here are some of the top neighborhoods to explore as you plan your Syracuse relocation:
Fayetteville
Named after the Revolutionary war hero, Marquis de Lafayette, the village of Fayetteville is a suburban community located less than 10 miles east of downtown Syracuse. With exceptional public schools and a high homeownership rate, Fayetteville appeals to families, retirees, and others looking for a laid-back suburban vibe. Fayetteville ranks #7 on the list of best suburbs for buying a home in New York.
The Fayetteville community offers a variety of parks, restaurants, coffee shops, and stores. Good news: There’s a massive Wegmans located just west of the village on Route 5. The village of Fayetteville is walkable. But several nearby highways, including Route 481 and Route 5, make it easy to access destinations outside the village as well as the city of Syracuse
- Population: 4,324
- Median household income: $74,863
- Median home value: $174,495
- Median rent price: $1,021
- Schools: Fayetteville-Manlius Senior High School (9-12), Wellwood Middle School (5-8), Fayetteville Elementary School (K-4), Mott Road Elementary School (K-4)
Something to try: Swing by the Stickley Museum and learn about the history of one of the region’s most well-known furniture manufacturers.
Westvale
Westvale is a friendly and safe neighborhood on the west side of the city. Situated along Route 5 and close to Route 690 and I-81, Westvale sits at the center of the action: Destiny USA, the Rosamund Gifford Zoo, the New York State Fairgrounds, and Syracuse University are all just a few short miles from the Westvale neighborhood.
Despite its central location, Westvale manages to maintain a peaceful and family-friendly atmosphere. In addition to the many shopping and dining options, residents enjoy walking and jogging on the community’s trails and ample sidewalks.
- Population: 5,193
- Median household income: $76,802
- Median home value: $147,249
- Median rent price: $1,037
- Schools: West Genesee Senior High School (9-12), Westhill High School (9-12), Onondaga Hill Middle School (5-8), Cherry Road Elementary School (K-4), Onondaga Hill Elementary School (K-4)
Something to try: Spend an afternoon at the Rosamund Gifford Zoo and check out a “mob” of meerkats in the Social Animals wing.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a near suburb located along Onondaga Lake, just northwest of downtown. With a name adopted from a city in northern England, Liverpool’s roots go back to the origin of the salt trade in the region. Even now, many people refer to Syracuse as Salt City — and it started in Liverpool.
Over the years, Liverpool has cultivated a reputation as a safe and peaceful middle-class suburb. If you’re looking for nightlife, the vibrant downtown social scene is only a few miles away. But if you would rather stay local, restaurants like the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, Limp Lizzard BBQ and Francesca’s serve up a diverse range of cuisines.
- Population: 2,305
- Median household income: $60,520
- Median home value: $131,534
- Median rent price: $879
- Schools: Liverpool High School (9-12), Liverpool Middle School (5-8), Chestnut Hill Middle School (5-8), Liverpool Elementary School (K-4), Long Branch Elementary School (K-4)
Something to try: Visit the Salt Museum to learn about the role Liverpool played in providing the entire nation with salt.
Fairmount
Looking for an affordable community that offers a great place to raise a family? You might want to take a look at Fairmount. This Syracuse suburb, located west of the city between Camillus and Westvale, receives high ratings for its schools and allows residents to enjoy a suburban lifestyle without the high costs frequently associated with family-friendly suburbs.
Eighty percent of Fairmount residents own their homes thanks to the community’s modest home values. For those who prefer to rent, average monthly rents fall well within the budgets of most families. Although Fairmount is not as walkable as most city neighborhoods, your family will appreciate the large number of chain and independent restaurants located along West Genesee Street.
- Population: 10,224
- Median household income: $60,343
- Median home value: $125,208
- Median rent price: $1,004
- Schools: West Genesee Senior High School (9-12), Westhill High School (9-12), Onondaga Hill Middle School (5-8), West Genesee Middle School (5-8), Camillus Middle School (5-8), Split Rock Elementary School (K-4), Cherry Road Elementary School (K-4), Stonehedge Elementary School (K-4)
Something to try: Walk your dog at the Camillus Erie Canal Park and see a restored aqueduct that used to carry the canal over Nine Mile Creek.
Baldwinsville
Baldwinsville has one of the best school districts in Onondaga County. So, it’s no surprise that “B-Ville” appeals to families who want to stay close to the city but prefer to live in an affordable community with a small-town feel. Slightly smaller than some of its neighboring communities, this northern suburb takes pride in its reputation for welcoming newcomers with open arms.
However, don’t let the community’s small-town atmosphere fool you. Baldwinsville is a surprisingly active neighborhood that hosts more than its fair share of outdoor activities, summer concerts, farmers’ markets, and restaurants. If you’re moving to Baldwinsville, be sure to check out the Baldwinsville Oktoberfest, an event that occurs every September, with all profits going to charities in the Baldwinsville community.
- Population: 7,681
- Median household income: $53,230
- Median home value: $121,636
- Median rent price: $741
- Schools: Charles W. Baker High School (10-12), Theodore R. Durge Junior High School (8-9), Donald S. Ray School (6-7), Mae E. Reynolds School (K-5), Harry E. Elden Elementary School (K-5), Van Buren Elementary School (K-5)
Something to try: Visit the Beaver Lake Nature Center for a firsthand experience with area flora and fauna.
Downtown Syracuse
Many people who relocate to Syracuse are students, faculty, healthcare workers, and professionals moving to the Downtown area. Officially recognized as one of the city’s 26 neighborhoods, Downtown is the heart and soul of the Syracuse metro area. As home to Syracuse University, the Downtown neighborhood houses more than 4,000 people and employs more than 30,000 local residents.
Thousands of students and visitors flock to Downtown each year to experience sporting events, regional festivals, and the city’s active urban scene. Many of the area’s banks, insurance companies, and attorneys have offices in Downtown, but the area comes to life after dark. On any given night, the bars, clubs, and restaurants near Armory Square, Hanover Square, and Clinton Square buzz with activity.
Given the large student population, owner-occupied residences are extremely rare in the Downtown neighborhood. Just 1.4% of residents own the homes in which they live.
- Population: 4,005
- Median household income: $9,940
- Median home value: $83,900
- Median rent price: $673
- Schools: Henninger High School (9-12), Corcoran High School (9-12), Expeditionary Learning Middle School (5-8), Grant Middle School (5-8), Bellevue Elementary School (K-4), Franklin Elementary School (K-4)
Something to try: Don’t miss the opportunity to take in an NCAA basketball game or concert at the 50,000-seat Carrier Dome.
Minoa
Minoa is a popular Syracuse suburb for professionals and young families. Located 15 minutes to the east of downtown Syracuse, Minoa allows residents to avoid city congestion and enjoy a sense of community that can be difficult to find in an urban neighborhood.
Public schools in Minoa receive high ratings, and the area features a large number of newer homes, many of which sit on large lots. But don’t plan on hiding behind closed doors because Minoa residents typically like to get to know their neighbors. Events sponsored by the Minoa Volunteer Fire Department, schools, local charities, and churches bring the entire community together year-round.
- Population: 3,529
- Median household income: $59,229
- Median home value: $135,208
- Median rent price: $797
- Schools: East Syracuse Minoa Central High School (9-12), Pine Grove Middle School (6-8), Fremont Elementary School (K-5), Minoa Elementary School (K-5)
Something to try: Enjoy a romantic dinner on the scenic veranda at Brian’s Landing, a first-class restaurant located inside Green Lakes State Park.
Cazenovia
Looking for a Syracuse exurb with a really cool, small-town vibe? Then you need to check out Cazenovia. Located 20 miles southeast of downtown, Cazenovia is a popular bedroom community for Syracuse area residents who enjoy scenic views and a casual pace of life.
Home to Cazenovia College, the Cazenovia community hosts a variety of unique pubs and eateries, including Empire Brewing Company, Owera Vineyards, Critz Farms Brewing and Cider Company, and the Brae Loch Inn (an inn and restaurant offering authentic Scottish cuisine).
The village of Cazenovia is highly walkable. But you’ll need a car to visit breweries and wineries, or to take route 92 to Downtown. You should also know that while real estate prices in most of Cazenovia are reasonable, property values along Cazenovia Lake on East Lake Road typically run much higher than the New York median home value.
- Population: 2,826
- Median household income: $63,370
- Median home value: $242,191
- Median rent price: $799
- Schools: Cazenovia High School (8-12), Cazenovia Middle School (5-7), Burton Street Elementary School (K-4)
Something to try: Enjoy classic central New York scenery as you kick back with a bottle of locally produced wine and a brick oven pizza at Owera Vineyards.
* * *
Ready to move to Syracuse? Contact Great Guys Moving today to receive free quotes from some of the best licensed and insured moving companies in Syracuse.