If you’ve heard of Ithaca, chances are it’s because of the two big schools: Ithaca College and Ivy League giant Cornell University. If you think this means raucous nights filled with rowdy collegians running around town with fake IDs, then you are mistaken.

This is an extremely family-friendly place and one of the most beautiful spots in the northeast. People take advantage of the tree-lined streets, with more than 40% living in town and walking to work, passing great restaurants and shops along the way. Located right off of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is also a perfect place for a hike or jog, notable for the more than 150 waterfalls in and around the city.

Living in Ithaca is expensive. As is the winter coat you’ll need if you don’t have a good one. Many people working in town commute from outside due to housing and food prices. Most who live in town are educated, liberal, affluent, and opinionated. If that’s not your scene, it might be difficult to make this your home.


A Different Kind of College Town

LookyLOO Review of Ithaca?

In town, East Hill is a family-friendly neighborhood close to great public schools, and a big shopping center, and is only a 15-minute walk to Cornell if you’re moving into town to work at the school.

Cayuga Heights is a quiet residential neighborhood just outside campus, filled with larger and more expensive homes. Collegetown is, surprise surprise, primarily made up of college apartments filled with Cornell undergrads. South Hill is the neighborhood most Ithaca College folks live.

Lansing is less expensive than the neighborhoods near Cornell. It's on the border of the city and is close to a lot of shopping malls, grocery stores, and good public schools. A solid choice for families looking to live in the city but with a smaller price tag.

We highly recommend visiting Ithaca and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.

If you want to know what the locals do for fun and culture check out the [calendar of events](https://www.downtownithaca.com/events).


Lifestyle 

Ithaca is named for the city Odysseus seeks to get back to in The Odyssey.

You might find that this is the end of your home search odyssey as well. Anyone looking for a ridiculously walk-friendly city, with one of the best educational systems in the country, you can do no better than Ithaca.

The End (and the start) of your Odyssey

Why You Should Move Here Now? 

**Eudaimonics**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

It’s a small city. I don’t think people just visiting totally grasp that. Yeah, downtown is great, but there’s still only 2 dozen good restaurants, your favorite band isn’t going to visit unless you get extremely lucky and nightlife/entertainment will be limited.

That being said, if you’re ok with having limited amenities and don’t mind driving up to Syracuse for more options it can be an amazing place to live.

Theres an unlimited amount of things to explore on the weekends in the Finger Lakes, so as long as you’re into hiking, events at wineries, farmers markets and craft fairs, you’ll never be bored if you don’t mind driving.

Ithaca is also significantly more expensive than Buffalo so keep that in mind. Your rent could easily double and the median home is $400,000.

If you want to live somewhere more affordable in the Finger Lakes consider Cortland or Auburn. Not as nice as Ithaca, but you’ll still have a small walkable downtown with shops, restaurants and cafes.

For more reviews of what living in Ithaca is like from locals, check out [The Reviews](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/ithaca/reviews).

Reviews of Ithaca from Locals

**The Best Thing About Ithaca?** A Different Kind of College Town

If you’ve heard of Ithaca, chances are it’s because of the two big schools: Ithaca College and Ivy League giant Cornell University. If you think this means raucous nights filled with rowdy collegians running around town with fake IDs, then you are mistaken. 

This is an extremely family-friendly place and one of the most beautiful spots in the northeast. People take advantage of the tree-lined streets, with more than 40% living in town and walking to work, passing great restaurants and shops along the way. Located right off of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is also a perfect place for a hike or jog, notable for the more than 150 waterfalls in and around the city.

**The Worst Thing About Ithaca?** Price Tags 
	
Living in Ithaca is expensive. As is the winter coat you’ll need if you don’t have a good one. Many people working in town commute from outside due to housing and food prices. Most who live in town are educated, liberal, affluent and opinionated. If that’s not your scene, it might be difficult to make this your home. 

**How You Living?** Either Somewhere Expensive or Outside the City

In town, East Hill is a family-friendly neighborhood close to great public schools, a big shopping center, and is only a 15 minute walk to Cornell if you’re moving into town to work at the school. 

Cayuga Heights is a quiet residential neighborhood just outside campus, filled with larger and more expensive homes. Collegetown is, surprise surprise, primarily made up of college apartments filled with Cornell undergrads. South Hill is the neighborhood most Ithaca College folks live. 

Lansing is less expensive than the neighborhoods near Cornell. It's on the border of the city and is close to a lot of shopping malls, grocery stores, and good public schools. A solid choice for families looking to live in the city but with a smaller price tag. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** The End (and the start) of your Odyssey

Ithaca is named for the city Odysseus seeks to get back to in The Odyssey.
You might find that this is the end of your home search odyssey as well. Anyone looking for a ridiculously walk-friendly city, with one of the best educational systems in the country, you can do no better than Ithaca. 


Collegetown is the greatest concentration of students off-campus in Ithaca. It’s filled with mostly undergrads but very popular due to the apartment options and also the tons of restaurants, bars and shopping in the area. It’s also right next to the Cornell campus so a short walk gets you to classes. Fall Creek is preferred by graduate students who also want a walk to school but want the quiet of subdivided homes and single-unit houses over the noisy big apartment buildings of Collegetown. 
- Collegetown
- Fall Creek
- East Hill
- Downtown


College Students

Collegetown

Downtown is the most common landing place for young professionals who’ve just graduated from Cornell or Ithaca, or who’ve just moved to the city. It’s the most energetic neighborhood in the city with great living options and more importantly (for some) plenty of restaurants, bars and a great pedestrian shopping center all a short walk from “home”. It’s also the area where most businesses are located so those who are fortunate can walk to work and then walk home from the pub after happy hour. 
- Downtown


Young Professionals

Downtown

Cornell Heights Historic District was built for Cornell faculty between the years of 1898 and 1942 and many of these historic homes still remain. In addition to beautiful homes and streets Cornell Heights also offers access to walking trails, waterfalls and plenty of outdoor recreation areas for parents and the kiddos. Belle Sherman is another great option due to its peaceful streets, beautiful but affordable homes, tons of public parks and excellent schools. 
- Cornell Heights
- Belle Sherman
- Fall Creek


Families

Cornell Heights

Ithaca

**Eudaimonics**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

It’s a small city. I don’t think people just visiting totally grasp that. Yeah, downtown is great, but there’s still only 2 dozen good restaurants, your favorite band isn’t going to visit unless you get extremely lucky and nightlife/entertainment will be limited.

That being said, if you’re ok with having limited amenities and don’t mind driving up to Syracuse for more options it can be an amazing place to live.

Theres an unlimited amount of things to explore on the weekends in the Finger Lakes, so as long as you’re into hiking, events at wineries, farmers markets and craft fairs, you’ll never be bored if you don’t mind driving.

Ithaca is also significantly more expensive than Buffalo so keep that in mind. Your rent could easily double and the median home is $400,000.

If you want to live somewhere more affordable in the Finger Lakes consider Cortland or Auburn. Not as nice as Ithaca, but you’ll still have a small walkable downtown with shops, restaurants and cafes.

**finewalecorduroy**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Ithaca is fantastic. Honestly, they have a lot. The only thing IMO that they are lacking on that you might notice on a daily basis is the health care will not be anywhere near as good as in Buffalo or Rochester. Most people with serious problems go up to Rochester. I guess you are also missing the big prestigious arts scene - I don't think they get touring Broadway shows, for instance, but you could go to NYC pretty easily a couple of times a year for museums and theatre if that is your thing.

**MyChemicalBromance13**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Hi! I moved here from NYC. It's only temporary - my partner got an apprenticeship on a farm here. But we've been here 6 months and I can give you the breakdown so far...

Pros:

• Extremely friendly local community. Have made friends through the college, the IthaQueers Discord, volunteering at Pride, etc.

• The hikes/natural beauty is AMAZING

• There's no gay bar but there are lots of queer events: Queeraoke, queer crafting, game nights on thursdays, etc.

• A few restaurants are really good, though you're not going to get much variety

Cons:

• The community is very transient (like us) ... a lot of friends we've made are PhD candidates or visiting professors that may only be here for 3 - 4 years and then be gone

**shermancahal**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Remote Ithacan
Pros:

Ithaca is still a nice city to be around. The park amenities are top-notch, and if you enjoy being in the outdoors, there is plenty to see and do.

The festivals are simply amazing.

The seasons. You actually get four seasons in Ithaca, and winters are not as extreme as they are further west and north because of the moderation effect from the Finger Lakes.

Culture. Plenty of museums and local institutions at Cornell and Ithaca College to support. You'll never get bored on a cold, winter day or a rainy afternoon.

Cons:

Ithaca is a very expensive city and area to live in. Housing costs are very high compared to adjacent counties and cities. As a remote worker, I de-camped for another state to save on taxes and rent. I was paying $1300 to live several miles out of town.

Ithaca, New York

Committee City

Looklyloo Score: 92

Reviews

What's it like to live in Ithaca?