Finding Housing

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It's that time of the year: time to find a roommate.

Here are my tips on finding housing.

Most students live in the Westcott neighborhood, off of (Outer) Comstock Ave., or in Nob Hill. If you want to be within walking distance of most other ESF grad students, look in the Westcott area. Generally, the closer to campus you live, the more undergraduates you'll find. This may mean "party time", be forewarned.

Roosevelt Ave., Miles Ave., Westcott St., Allen St., Westmoreland Ave., these are all streets that have more graduate students and families on them. These streets are not nearly as wild on a weekend night as the ones closer to campus.

The ESF Graduate Student Association just started a rent/sublet forum. Search housing, sublets, post if you're looking for a roommate:

http://esfgsa.webs.com/apps/forums/

Another site that people often use to find apartments is Orange Housing:

http://www.orangehousing.com/

Plus, there is always Craigslist:

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/search/hhh

Expect to pay from $275-$450 before utilities, up to $550 with utilities included. Good luck!

Living: Tipperary Hill

Located on the West Side of Syracuse, Tipperary Hill is a great neighborhood, only a short commute from campus. A handful of students live there, encouraged by a preponderance of split-level homes, and a young, festive atmosphere, especially around St. Patrick's Day.

Originally a predominantly Irish neighborhood of Syracuse, the area is still true to its roots, hosting the Tipp Hill Shamrock Run, and famosly the location where green beer is delivered by tanker truck to Coleman's Pub.

On a more historical note, Tipp Hill, as it is known to residents, is home to the world's only upside-down stoplight. In the 1920s, the children of Irish immigrants, in their hatred of the British, would throw rocks at the stoplight at the corner of Tompkins St. and Milton Ave to knock out the "British" red light that hung over the "Irish" green. When the city realized this problem would not go away, an upside-down stoplight, with the green on top, was installed at the intersection.

Living: Westcott Neighborhood

Many visiting prospective students ask where graduate students live, whether on- or off-campus, and what there is to do outside of class. For myself and a large contingent of my classmates, the Westcott Neighborhood is home. Approximately 1/2 mile from the ESF campus, students that live here can easily bike or walk to class in minutes. Rents are generally from $300 (shared) - $450 per month, per person, including utilities.

Its old houses and mix of residents, students, and graduate students gives the area a relaxed, yet vibrant atmosphere. Rental units - often split-level homes - are mixed together with owner-occupied housing. There is always some commotion in the business district, regardless of the day of the week, but the calmer neighborhood sections are quiet and peaceful.

The neighborhood is home to a handful of local businesses, including:

• The Westcott Theater, a concert venue that hosts many jam bands and touring acts
• Alto Cinco, a Tex-Mex and vegan-friendly restaurant and bar with great fresh food (try the Fried Catfish Burrito)
• Westcott Florist
• Munjed's Middle Eastern Cafe, has great falafel!
• Sabastino's Pizza, great hot wings!
• Recess Coffee House & Roastery, a cafe that roasts its coffee on the spot, it has comfy chairs, free wi-fi, and occasional music and movie nights

For those that enjoy soccer or basketball, Barry Park (previous post) is at the end of Westcott Street, not more than a mile from campus. Petit Library is the neighborhood public library, a quiet and shade-speckled place to check out a book or study.