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My wife and I have been casually looking for houses in the area -- we currently own a home in the city that's pretty nice, though the schools are terrible.
To be near great schools, you have to move out to the suburbs. I remember reading articles about how Syracuse is a very affordable place to live. It came as a shock to me how much of a difference the suburbs are, and how they're incredible expensive for the area.
For an example, we looked at several new constructions in Manlius and Dewitt. New 1600 sq ft houses are $350,000?-$380,000 That's insane. Add in the taxes, interest and insurance, and that's a $2,700/mo (or more) house payment. For a tiny house... I had always thought the cost per square foot here was what made it an affordable area to live and even off-set the sky high taxes.
What's up with that? You can get an absolute monster of a NEW house, 3,500 sq ft, three car garage, good schools for $2,700/mo in nice suburbs of many other cities around the country.
I apologize, this is 90% rant post; however, it's been a frustrating realization that this area really isn't very affordable at all.
My wife and I have been casually looking for houses in the area -- we currently own a home in the city that's pretty nice, though the schools are terrible.
To be near great schools, you have to move out to the suburbs. I remember reading articles about how Syracuse is a very affordable place to live. It came as a shock to me how much of a difference the suburbs are, and how they're incredible expensive for the area.
For an example, we looked at several new constructions in Manlius and Dewitt. New 1600 sq ft houses are $350,000?-$380,000 That's insane. Add in the taxes, interest and insurance, and that's a $2,700/mo (or more) house payment. For a tiny house... I had always thought the cost per square foot here was what made it an affordable area to live and even off-set the sky high taxes.
What's up with that? You can get an absolute monster of a NEW house, 3,500 sq ft, three car garage, good schools for $2,700/mo in nice suburbs of many other cities around the country.
I apologize, this is 90% rant post; however, it's been a frustrating realization that this area really isn't very affordable at all.
There are plenty of good sized homes that are way less than $350-380,000 in the suburbs. I don't know why people think that the only good schools in the area are in DeWitt and Manlius, when that is not the case at all. People seem to overlook very good school districts like Westhill, West Genesee, Baldwinsville, Skaneateles, Cazenovia, Marcellus and Chittenango, among others that are still solid SD's.
Both are some of the most affluent towns in the area as well. So, you are going to pay quite a bit for new construction in those towns.
Also, there are charter, magnet and private options, as well as select elementary schools and programs that are good within the city in terms of schools.
It's not that I don't think there are other good districts in the area, I think it's just that JD and FM are the ones that get the top state rankings and media coverage; I guess I figure that if I'm going to be paying such a crazy tax bill, I want it to be for 'the best' school, not an 'also good' school...
We've considered FM, JD, Skaneateles and Caz districts. If the other districts are on par and of the same quality, I'd definitely consider them as well.
Essentially we're looking for a nice next home in a good district and nice suburb or town with low crime, restaurants, and things to do.
Ideally, it'd be either older but completely renovated or a new home with higher end finishes/appliances. I think somewhere in the 1,900-2,400 sq foot range plus a finished basement would be perfect. A 2-3 car attached garage is a necessity. Looking somewhere in the 280-380 range.
It's not that I don't think there are other good districts in the area, I think it's just that JD and FM are the ones that get the top state rankings and media coverage; I guess I figure that if I'm going to be paying such a crazy tax bill, I want it to be for 'the best' school, not an 'also good' school...
We've considered FM, JD, Skaneateles and Caz districts. If the other districts are on par and of the same quality, I'd definitely consider them as well.
Essentially we're looking for a nice next home in a good district and nice suburb or town with low crime, restaurants, and things to do.
Ideally, it'd be either older but completely renovated or a new home with higher end finishes/appliances. I think somewhere in the 1,900-2,400 sq foot range plus a finished basement would be perfect. A 2-3 car attached garage is a necessity. Looking somewhere in the 280-380 range.
Thank you!
While the rankings are nice to use, the needs of a student may actually be a better barometer in terms of a district versus one that is highly ranked(think having a child with special needs, as an example). Some schools may be “ranked” a little bit lower due to serving the needs of students with disabilities or are ESL students.
Westhill and Marcellus are also highly ranked, but people seem to overlook them for some reason. Both aren’t far from shopping in Camillus(including Fairmount (CDP)), which is covered by the very good West Genesee SD and would fit what you are looking for. Some listings: https://www.cnyrealtor.com/index.php....like.Attached)
My wife and I went down this rabbit hole a couple years ago.
I too wanted a free lunch, my cake and eat it too type stuff.
One thing I learned is nationwide pricing. NY may think its a Soviet Bloc country but its actually part of America. Which means home building and improvement items cost the same (more actually with the soul crushing taxes) as everywhere else. Your just not gonna get a well built house with alot of nice fixture for half price. Its just not gonna happen.
That annoying rule, location, location location does apply here. Find a house for half price?? There is a meth lab or some such close by. People don't sell you stuff cheap cause they like you. Like everyone else they sell stuff for what the market will bare. If its cheap its cause its cheap.
Schools do matter. We are well past school age children so the temptation of cheap houses in the cities appealed to us. It was a no go. Bad schools are in bad areas. Back to the other rule, its cheap for a reason.
My wife and I went down this rabbit hole a couple years ago.
I too wanted a free lunch, my cake and eat it too type stuff.
One thing I learned is nationwide pricing. NY may think its a Soviet Bloc country but its actually part of America. Which means home building and improvement items cost the same (more actually with the soul crushing taxes) as everywhere else. Your just not gonna get a well built house with alot of nice fixture for half price. Its just not gonna happen.
That annoying rule, location, location location does apply here. Find a house for half price?? There is a meth lab or some such close by. People don't sell you stuff cheap cause they like you. Like everyone else they sell stuff for what the market will bare. If its cheap its cause its cheap.
Schools do matter. We are well past school age children so the temptation of cheap houses in the cities appealed to us. It was a no go. Bad schools are in bad areas. Back to the other rule, its cheap for a reason.
I think this is different due to the OP’s budget, which is actually pretty high or above average in most places in the country.
This seems to be more of an issue of school districts and the exposure of certain ones, while there are others that are just as good or right there, when looking at the metrics.
“Cheap” may also come down to age, as even the very good SD’s can have “cheap” homes that are just older. Size may also come into play too. Some examples of homes under $150,000 in the F-M, J-D and Westhill SD’s: https://www.cnyrealtor.com/index.php...me.eq.Westhill)
While the rankings are nice to use, the needs of a student may actually be a better barometer in terms of a district versus one that is highly ranked(think having a child with special needs, as an example). Some schools may be “ranked” a little bit lower due to serving the needs of students with disabilities or are ESL students.
Westhill and Marcellus are also highly ranked, but people seem to overlook them for some reason. Both aren’t far from shopping in Camillus(including Fairmount (CDP)), which is covered by the very good West Genesee SD and would fit what you are looking for. Some listings: https://www.cnyrealtor.com/index.php....like.Attached)
Buying an older home that is renovated will be way cheaper than new builds. I am always amazed at how disproportionately expensive new builds are compared to older homes (even those older homes that have been gut renovated).
Better yet, get a fixer upper with a construction loan and do it yourself. You'll pay much less in the long run.
Quote:
Originally Posted by unixfed
Hi there and thank you for the reply!
It's not that I don't think there are other good districts in the area, I think it's just that JD and FM are the ones that get the top state rankings and media coverage; I guess I figure that if I'm going to be paying such a crazy tax bill, I want it to be for 'the best' school, not an 'also good' school...
We've considered FM, JD, Skaneateles and Caz districts. If the other districts are on par and of the same quality, I'd definitely consider them as well.
Essentially we're looking for a nice next home in a good district and nice suburb or town with low crime, restaurants, and things to do.
Ideally, it'd be either older but completely renovated or a new home with higher end finishes/appliances. I think somewhere in the 1,900-2,400 sq foot range plus a finished basement would be perfect. A 2-3 car attached garage is a necessity. Looking somewhere in the 280-380 range.
Depending on what side of town and what you are willing to go with/pay(inc. aid), some go with these private options just outside of the city: https://hcschooldewitt.org
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 05-02-2018 at 04:45 PM..
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