Located in Onondaga County, Syracuse has been appropriately called the Crossroads of New York State, due to its central location and is proud distinction of having the longest running State Fair in the country, which started all the way back in 1848. Syracuse has an abundance of natural resources like hardwood used for furniture and a huge water supply used by local corporations such as Anheuser-Busch and Bristol-Myers Company.
The city, in addition to being the fifth-most populated in the state of New York, also happens to be the biggest city named "Syracuse" in the United States. Located in Central New York, in the region of the state affectionately called "Upstate" by residents of the New York tri-state area, Syracuse serves as the economic and educational hub for the area, and in 2010 it was ranked fourth on the list of the 10 best places to raise a family by Forbes magazine.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Syracuse. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Syracuse Climate
Syracuse is located in a humid continental climate zone marked by warm summers and very cold winters with a lot of snowfall. In fact, the Syracuse metropolitan area receives more yearly snow on average (128-inches) than any other large city in the United States. While the city experiences lots of precipitation in the winters with frequent snowstorms and blizzards occurring mostly due to its proximity to Lake Erie, the summers are warm with temperatures usually in the 70s and 80s.
The city typically experiences four distinct seasons throughout the year, with the weather and temperatures remaining more temperate and mild during the fall and spring seasons than in the summer and winter.
Syracuse Geography and Neighborhoods
There are officially 26 distinct neighborhoods located within the city of Syracuse and some of these neighborhoods are comprised of even smaller neighborhoods and districts. Each neighborhood in the city is unique in its own way, and each reflects the culturally diverse population of Syracuse, from a heavy Irish-, Polish- and Ukrainian-American influence on the city's west side, to a heavy German- and Italian-American influence on the north side.
Several of the city's neighborhoods also have active business districts, including the Downtown area, where Armory Square serves as the city's main retail and dining area. Other business districts include Eastwood, Little Italy, Butternut Circle, University Hill and Westcott.
Living Costs in the City
The costs of living in Syracuse are fairly low on average, when compared to other large cities in the region, and the average price of rent is low throughout most of Syracuse, as well as the various living expenses related to average living costs, such as transportation, food and utilities. The median family income in Syracuse is $40,023, which is much lower than the national average for median family income.
The median home price for an average home in Syracuse is around $79,625, extremely low and well below the national average, but on par with the similar real estate prices that exist throughout the Central New York region and throughout most of northern Upstate New York.
Registering Your Car
Upon your arrival in New York after moving to the state permanently, you have a total of 30 days to update your registration and have your vehicle registered in the state before you may be required to pay a penalty. The state of New York also has laws in place that require your vehicle to pass standard emissions tests prior to registering your car. Also, you must provide proof of insurance that is valid in the state of New York.
A New York Driver's License can be obtained at any New York DMV location. The state requires new New York residents to update their license from their previous state to a New York driver's license. You may be required to pass several tests prior to receiving your new license. Also, there is a $10 fee to update your driver's license.
Syracuse Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Syracuse, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in New York. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Syracuse Schools
Syracuse is a city built around its education, and it's the home of Syracuse University, which is located on University Hill and is one of the major research universities in the nation with an enrollment of over 21,000 students. Other notable institutions of higher education located in Syracuse are Le Moyne College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, St. Joseph's College of Nursing, and Onondaga Community College. Some colleges with campuses located in Syracuse include Bryant and Stratton College, Columbia College (Missouri), Empire State College and the State University of New York at Oswego. The Syracuse public education system is operated by the Syracuse City School District.
Syracuse Employment
Within a 750-mile radius of the Greater Syracuse area, companies have access to over 50 percent of all United States business establishments, manufacturing facilities, and wholesale. Some of the largest employers in Syracuse are Syracuse University, the Upstate University Health System and Wegmans Food Markets. Although the local economy is slowly recovering, it's taken a bit of a hit in the recent past, as many of the industrial jobs in the area have moved out and the number of state and local government jobs is decreasing as well.
The current unemployment rate is right around 8.4 percent as of March 2013, slightly higher than the national unemployment rate, while the job growth rate is struggling at -2.68 percent. Syracuse has few large corporations located within the city, but numerous smaller ones that are helping to bring the local economy back and University Hill is rapidly expanding with more jobs in the education sector.
Public Transportation
Syracuse is located on three Amtrak lines that include the Empire Service, the Maple Leaf and the Lake Shore Limited. While Amtrak services all rail passenger needs, the Central New York Transportation Authority (CNYRTA) provides bus service throughout the city of Syracuse and to surrounding areas as well. Syracuse is also serviced by six major air cargo carriers and nine major airlines, handling 250 daily arrivals and departures from nearby Syracuse Hancock International Airport, located within the city.
Culture and Contemporary Life
Syracuse contains a number of museums, art galleries and performing art venues, providing entertainment for all tastes and interests. The Everson Museum of Art is a popular destination, as are the Stark Contemporary Art Space and the Warehouse Gallery, which focus on more contemporary art. There are two annual jazz music festivals that take place in Syracuse: the M&T Syracuse Jazz Festival and the Jazz in the Square Festival, which showcase local and national jazz musicians. For sports fans, there's always a Syracuse Orange game to catch, whether it's football during the fall or basketball during the winter and spring. Both teams play at the Carrier Dome.
Moving to Syracuse
Whatever your reasons for moving to Syracuse, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Syracuse is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.