Ithaca Area Neighborhoods
Belle Sherman
This neighborhood is located just South and East of Cornell University. It provides homes on City sized lots. Most homes are in the 1920 to 1940 age range. Most are 3 Bedroom 1 to 1 ½ baths. Some have garages but many do not. Belle Sherman has its own Elementary School on Mitchell Street. Many like the fact that this is a convenient walk to Cornell University and Collegetown. Price ranges vary considerably but in general are in the $200,000 to $350,000 range.
Cayuga Heights
This neighborhood came into being in about 1920, when developers Newman and Blood recognized that by constructing a bridge over the gorge that separated Cornell and the land to the North there would be the opportunity for a lovely suburban neighborhood. Cayuga Heights was laid out to reflect a European tradition in meandering streets and is very charming. There are many classic Stone Tudor and Brick Victorian homes in this area. There are also newer ranches and deck homes mixed in. Cayuga Heights Elementary School is centrally located between the Parkway and Hanshaw Road. Cayuga Heights is known for mature landscaping and some lake views. Many parts of Cayuga Heights are an easy walk to Cornell University and to Community Corners shopping center. The village has its own police and fire departments. Home prices tend to be in the $400,000 to over $1 Million range. There are some more modest ranch homes available for under $300,000.
Northeast
This neighborhood also provides easy access to Cornell University. Northeast has bus service to Cornell and downtown. The homes tend to be homes built from the mid 1960’s to about 2000. There are rarely building lots available here. The neighborhood tends to feature 2 story, ranch, and split level homes. The Northeast Elementary School offers one of the best English as a second language programs. Most homes are in the 2,000 to 2,500 finished square foot size range. They tend to be on about ½ acre lots and have all municipal services. The Northeast is part of the Village of Cayuga Heights and the Town of Ithaca. It is a short 5 minute drive to Cornell from this neighborhood. Homes tend to be priced in the $200,000 to $400,000 price range.
Eastern Heights
This neighborhood is on the East side of Ithaca and is also a short 5 to 10 minute drive to Cornell or downtown Ithaca. There are a number of Condos available on East Hill including Commonland and Eastwood Commons. Most of the homes here are on about ½ acre lots. They tend to be priced in the $225,000 to $400,000 price range. The neighborhood is served by the Caroline Elementary School on Route 79. The neighborhood has a lovely town park and several play areas for children. Most of the neighborhood is quiet subdivision streets. Homes tend to be in the 1965 to 2007 era. There are a few building lots still available here. The neighborhood has all municipal services and natural gas available.
Ellis Hollow
This neighborhood is on the East side of Ithaca and Cornell and is more rural and further out than East Hill. Most homes have no municipal services and are on well, septic and use propane, oil or electric heat. The houses range from the early 1800’s when Peleg Ellis and his brother John settled there after the Revolutionary War. Many like the “New England” feel to the area and the greater amount of land available. Frequently dwellers have horses, llamas, and other pets. Ellis Hollow homes tend to be in the $250,000 to $500,000 price range. There are still building lots and there are new construction homes available.
Lansing
Lansing is North of Northeast neighborhood but is still a short commute to Cornell. Lansing was, until recently, agricultural land. It offers many neighborhoods in a variety of price ranges including luxury lake view homes in the $600,000 to $2 Million price range in LakeWatch, East Lake and Cayuga Lake Highlands. Lansing has its own Elementary, Middle and High Schools. Most homes are on septic systems, some have municipal water and many have access to natural gas as well. The typical home prices range from more rural homes in the $200,000 range up to the high end houses with lake frontage or lake view.
Dryden
Dryden was organized in 1803 and the village was incorporated in 1857 and has many handsome homes, including the Dwight-Gutchess Homestead built in 1865 by John W. Dwight, a US congressman. The idea and funds for Southworth Library, designed by Ithaca architect William Henry Miller in Romanesque Revival style, came from Jennie McGraw Fiske, who gave Cornell University its chimes. The Jim Schug Trail is named for the late town supervisor and runs from Dryden Village to Dryden Lake and goes on to connect to the Finger Lakes Trail. Single family homes in the area are generally moderately priced at $120,000 to $250,000. Homes are typically situated on 1 to 3 acres or more. Dryden has its own Elementary and Middle/High School.
Freeville
As of the 2000 census, there were 505 people, 210 households, and 118 families residing in this small village. The homes range in price from $125,000 to $200,000. The community has its own Elementary School that goes from K-3. It is part of the Dryden School District. The village is located minutes from Cortland and Ithaca. The home styles, as with many other homes in the Ithaca area, is rich in architectural variety from Italianate and Victorian to the raised ranch. This rural area has homes on sited on property from 1 to 5 or more acres.
