Syracuse, New York

Syracuse has seen its fair share of tough breaks. In 1855, the establishment of the Erie Canal unleashed a river of possibilities for the small city. Trade became exponentially easier, and Syracuse earned its nickname “The Salt City.” It’s hard to believe that at one time, all salt consumed in the U.S. originated here, but it’s true. This monopoly was short-lived, however. The invention of the refrigerator in 1913 ultimately decimated the salt industry, leaving Syracuse in a precarious position economically. Other industries came to town but left again by the 1960s or so. Massive layoffs led to mass migration to other cities for work, dwindling the city’s population to the rough 140,000 it is today – almost 100,000 fewer than it was in its prime.

Why are we telling you this? Because, if it's fair to say, yesterday’s sorrows are today’s possibilities. Today the city is experiencing an uptick in population size and economic growth, buoyed in part by the city’s namesake university, Syracuse University. The city’s difficult economic past translates to a current cost of living that is markedly more affordable than other U.S. cities of its size. Somewhat mitigated by the area’s higher taxes and utility costs, you can live a relatively comfortable life on a lower income than you’d think coming from other parts of the state or country.

Here’s the truth: crime in Syracuse is above the national average. The city’s history of economic troubles is still felt today in the form of below-average wages and above-average unemployment rates. We aren’t saying this is the cause, but there’s certainly a correlation. Like all cities, you can expect a patchwork of safe pockets and rougher parts. It is noteworthy, however, that despite Niche.com’s “D+” crime rating, the majority of residents polled by the site said “they feel safe in this area” and that “law enforcement is effective and visible here.” This issue of reputation outpacing the feelings of locals is true for many cities in the U.S.

What is not a reputation issue is the snow and its impact on the roads in Syracuse. On average, the city gets about 130 inches per year. You may not know this, but snow = potholes. When driving within the city or on the major freeways like 81 or 695, expect to experience that gut-wrenching sound of a pothole taking a year or two off your tire. It’s a well-known issue and the government has had plans “in motion” for years to fix it, but unfortunately, many residents are still having to white knuckle their steering wheels on the way to the grocery store.

If you’ve heard of Syracuse, we bet it's because of the city’s namesake university. More than 22,000 students call the Syracuse University campus home each year. On the weekends, you can expect to see them enjoying “the ‘cuse’s” surprisingly good (for its size) scene of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. But the real excitement in Syracuse is the sports culture.

Syracuse University is most celebrated for its football, basketball, and lacrosse teams, known as the Syracuse Orange (yes, we love that their mascot is an orange too). The school’s athletics in addition to the city’s other DI college, professional baseball team, and professional hockey team means there’s excitement for sports fans year ‘round.

If team sports aren’t your thing, maybe you’ll love the nightlife and events that Syracuse provides. Locals like to gather at some of the historic squares, like the red-bricked Armory Square, to drink, enjoy live music and get a bite to eat. You might be surprised to find two nationally recognized food spots in a small city like Syracuse, but they’re here. First, chomp down on the best burger in New York State at Ale ‘n’ Angus http://alenanguspub.com/. Next, head over to Pastabilities and order the infamous “wicky-wicky chicken riggies.” The dish is native to nearby Utica and frankly, you haven’t experienced Syracuse until you’ve tried it.

When the snow melts and the overcast winter clears, residents can finally trade in their vitamin D supplements for the real thing. Within a couple hours, you can get to some famous outdoorsy places like the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, Adirondacks, Thousand Islands, Catskills, and Poconos. As for other cities, you’ve got Rochester 1.5 hours away, Albany 2.5 hours away, and NYC 4.5 hours away with good traffic.