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I also don't recommend most of the City of Syracuse for Families besides Meadowbrook.
I'd rather the City be revitalized by locals who grew up here who are committed to the Syracuse area and know what to expect living in the city rather than newcomers be disappointed with the area by moving to a city neighborhood that they don't end up enjoying. Then the newcomers move away and give the Syracuse area a bad reputation based on living in the city instead of a much nicer suburban neighborhood.
For me the main downsides of living in city neighborhoods is the depressing vibe from the nearby blight and built environment, crime rate is much higher than the suburbs and I've heard the the schools aren't that good.
If you must live in the city of Syracuse and don't want to live in the suburbs then here are the best streets I found in the city in my opinion
1. Schoeck Ave
2. Mertens Ave
3. DeWitt Street
4. Sedgwick Drive
5. Hampshire Road
6. Wendell Terrace
7. Brattle Road
8. Durstion Avenue
9. Rugby Road
10. Chatham Road
11. Hampton Road
12. Winkworth Parkway
13. Woodside Drive
14. Scott Avenue
15. Berkeley Drive
16. James Street near Sedgwick Drive
17. Shotwell Park
18. Scottholm Blvd
19. Twin Hills Drive
20. Brookford Drive
21. Woodside Drive
22. Bradford Parkway
23. Berkeley Parkway
24. Scott Holm Terrace
25. Edgefield Road
27. Walton Street
28. Jefferson Street
29. Plum Street
30. Hancock Drive
I live in the Town of Clay and there are two black families in my neighborhood I'm aware of.
I also don't recommend most of the City of Syracuse for Families besides Meadowbrook.
I'd rather the City be revitalized by locals who grew up here who are committed to the Syracuse area and know what to expect living in the city rather than newcomers be disappointed with the area by moving to a city neighborhood that they don't end up enjoying. Then the newcomers move away and give the Syracuse area a bad reputation based on living in the city instead of a much nicer suburban neighborhood.
For me the main downsides of living in city neighborhoods is the depressing vibe from the nearby blight and built environment, crime rate is much higher than the suburbs and I've heard the the schools aren't that good.
If you must live in the city of Syracuse and don't want to live in the suburbs then here are the best streets I found in the city in my opinion
1. Schoeck Ave
2. Mertens Ave
3. DeWitt Street
4. Sedgwick Drive
5. Hampshire Road
6. Wendell Terrace
7. Brattle Road
8. Durstion Avenue
9. Rugby Road
10. Chatham Road
11. Hampton Road
12. Winkworth Parkway
13. Woodside Drive
14. Scott Avenue
15. Berkeley Drive
16. James Street near Sedgwick Drive
17. Shotwell Park
18. Scottholm Blvd
19. Twin Hills Drive
20. Brookford Drive
21. Woodside Drive
22. Bradford Parkway
23. Berkeley Parkway
24. Scott Holm Terrace
25. Edgefield Road
27. Walton Street
28. Jefferson Street
29. Plum Street
30. Hancock Drive
I live in the Town of Clay and there are two black families in my neighborhood I'm aware of.
To address the bolded part, the thing is that many of the people that are doing things in the community and actually like living here aren't from Syracuse. Especially when you look at the Black community here. Many of the organizations and shows I posted are ran by people that came from places like the Bronx, Newark, Chicago, from Down South, etc.; along with natives. So, that isn't necessarily true, as there is evidence of the opposite occurring.
This is why I say to give complete information, as people will assume others won't like an area, but don't consider that the type of area they are likely looking for is in the city or in a specific area that others may not consider themselves. Especially if you are considering the original post.
@ the OP, now, I will say that almost all of those streets are in neighborhoods suggested, except for Walton, Jefferson and Plum, which are Downtown and Franklin Square. As mentioned, there are other parts of the city that are solid/nice areas with homes that would fit what they are looking for.
Also, again, if you want more diverse suburban areas, I'd say that Dewitt in the Jamesville-DeWitt SD offers the close proximity to those East Side neighborhoods. A lot of people affiliated with Syracuse University/other colleges and the hospitals live there(some live in the Fayetteville-Manlius SD further east as well). It is known for its Jewish, Middle Eastern, good sized Asian and decent sized black middle class populations.
Basically, if you are black and are looking for an area with a substantial black population that is middle class, pretty much from the outer East Side of Syracuse(Salt Springs/Scottholm/Meadowbrook/Bradford Hills/Westcott/University) into portions of DeWitt(the CDP is about 12% black) closer to the city line(zip codes 13224 and 13214(both are within the East Side and DeWitt to some degree) would be the area to zone in on.
Another similar area to a lesser degree would be the outer SW(Strathmore/Winkworth)/South Valley in Syracuse into parts of the town of Onondaga(parts of Nedrow and Onondaga Hill(schools districts like Onondaga Central/Westhill and a portion of West Genesee, parts of zip codes such as 13207(Strathmore/Winkworth/western portion of South Valley), 13205(South Valley/northern half of Nedrow) and 13215(Onondaga Hill)(actually grew up in that general area and parents still live in one of those communities).
When I mention these areas, I mean in terms of a good concentration/degree of a black middle class presence. There are some suburbs with more than others and some in other parts of the city(inc. Sedgwick), but I would say those areas and in that order would be general areas to look into.
Another thing, with the suburbs, you are looking at driving everywhere outside of the villages and maybe a couple of select areas. At least in the city, you have some legitimate walkable neighborhood options and the bus system is more viable. You may get away with using the bus in a first ring suburb like Onondaga Hill, Nedrow, etc., but you are looking at pretty much driving. It may not be a big deal, as you can get anywhere within the area with 15-20 minutes, but if you want walkability, keep this in mind. Especially as someone coming from Prospect Heights/Brooklyn.
If you are open to a village in the suburbs that at least offers schools with decent/good diversity and has some more historic type of homes, I'd say to look into the village of Liverpool. An area that comes to mind: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1066...8192?entry=ttu
The village does allow for walking access to restaurants, a library, a grocery store and this big park: https://onondagacountyparks.com/park...aga-lake-park/ Destiny USA, the 9th biggest shopping center in the country is a short drive away as well. So, that may be something to consider in terms of the suburbs.
One last thing for this post, what some people may or may not know is that the city of Syracuse(or Onondaga County/the metro area) has never declined in terms of its black population in an official US census. So, that may be another thing to consider.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 03-29-2024 at 08:46 AM..
Thank you for the additional information. While the suburban neighborhoods are nice, we are not a suburban family. We've narrowed down our options to the Sedgwick farms, strathmore, and university neighborhoods due to its amenities, walkability, diversity, and historic homes. The school districts may not be the best, so we may have to look into private schools for our children. All of the feedback has been very helpful! We really look forward to being apart of the Syracuse community.
Thank you for the additional information. While the suburban neighborhoods are nice, we are not a suburban family. We've narrowed down our options to the Sedgwick farms, strathmore, and university neighborhoods due to its amenities, walkability, diversity, and historic homes. The school districts may not be the best, so we may have to look into private schools for our children. All of the feedback has been very helpful! We really look forward to being apart of the Syracuse community.
Great and I think you will find what you are looking for.
Also, if you have questions about say certain businesses, other organizations, places of worship, media, gyms, things for your children, etc., just ask.
For instance, it seems like you are into the arts, so you and your family may be interested in things like these companies/organizations/events: https://communityfolkartcenter.org/
Yes, please send information on organizations and attractions for children ages 4-9. Also, places of worship. All of this information will be really helpful.
Yes, please send information on organizations and attractions for children ages 4-9. Also, places of worship. All of this information will be really helpful.
Many thanks!
I added some information in the post above. As mentioned earlier, you also have a local Jack and Jill chapter, you have the MOST(a science museum Downtown), the Harriet Tubman Home and grave in Auburn(about 30-40 minutes to the west), the Abolitionist Hall of Fame in Peterboro(an Underground RR community about 35 minutes or so away to the east), the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Burnet Park(West Side), the Wild Animal Park in Chittenango(about 25-30 minutes to the east), Syracuse is home to the NYS Fair, plenty of things at Destiny USA(Billy Beez, Wonder Works, Get Air Bounce House, etc.), Sky Zone in Dewitt, Sylvan Beach(w/an old school amusement park about 35-40 minutes to the east), the Syracuse Children's Theater in East Syracuse, plenty of youth sports organizations, dance studios, etc.
It is actually in the Salt Springs area of that side of town and they have or had some sermons broadcasted on the radio on this station: WSIV AM 1540
You also have People's AME Zion, which on the South Side, which is the blackest side of town(think Brownsville/Bed-Stuy/etc., but for Syracuse) and is the oldest black church in the city. It's current pastor is actually a graduate of Rice HS in Harlem and is from the Bronx: https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesAMEZion/
Some others are Living Water COGIC(South Side), Victory Temple Fellowship(North Side, pastor is president of the local National Action Network chapter and a rep on the DeWitt town board), Tucker Missionary Baptist(South Side), Payton Temple COCIG(South Side), Brotherly Love COGIC(just north of Downtown), Hopps CME(South Side), St. Luke Missionary Baptist(East Side), Central Baptist(East Side/Outer Comstock), Promised Land Church (East Syracuse) and a bunch more. Some may go to say Abundant Life, which is a more multicultural mega church in East Syracuse or other more diverse churches like New Beginnings on State Fair Boulevard NW of the city and Syracuse Alliance(South Side/Valley), among others.
For a barbershop, Collins Barber and Beauty, formerly just north of Syracuse University, but now on Erie Boulevard East(East Side) is a long time staple owned by the same family for decades(my dad actually used to work there part time). There's also Blues Brothers on the South Side, a few on the North Side(Finesse(can get a ill freestyle too), Life on the Edge, 754 , etc. there are a couple of African braiding spots there as well).
I'll stop here, but may add more later or answer any other questions you may have.
Thank you for the information. I forgot to mention that we are not baptist. We actually attend a non denominational super mega church here in Brooklyn. Is there any nearby?
Thank you for the additional information. While the suburban neighborhoods are nice, we are not a suburban family. We've narrowed down our options to the Sedgwick farms, strathmore, and university neighborhoods due to its amenities, walkability, diversity, and historic homes. The school districts may not be the best, so we may have to look into private schools for our children. All of the feedback has been very helpful! We really look forward to being apart of the Syracuse community.
University Neighborhood is easily the best choice, with Strathmore being the worst.
Scottholm is the top spot in that area, near Meadowbrook.
You will love it here, Central NY. Its so peaceful and there is tons to do, if you look for it. Especially places like Green Lakes State Park and Butternut Trail, not only CNY gems, but Earthly gems.
Also, Wegmans is easily the best grocery store in the United States. Its a bit on the high end for prices, but the quality of the food and the customer service is remarkable.
Add all the cool spots like Dinosaur BBQ, Tully's for watching the games, and of course one of the best universities in the world, Syracuse University, my Alma Mater.
Thank you for the information. I forgot to mention that we are not baptist. We actually attend a non denominational super mega church here in Brooklyn. Is there any nearby?
Are more non denominational, but aren't what I would call a mega church.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 03-29-2024 at 03:00 PM..
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