South Side Homes for Rent

South Side in Ithaca is a walkable neighborhood with quiet residential streets close to Downtown’s activity. The Southside Community Center, founded in 1934, is a long-standing gathering place that highlights the area’s history and the role of African Americans in Ithaca, with programs like summer camps, after-school activities, and the annual Juneteenth Jubilee. Nearby, the Downtown Ithaca Commons is a four-block, pedestrian-only stretch with local shops, galleries, and eateries, and a full calendar of things to do, including the popular Ithaca Festival each June. The Tompkins County Public Library, just east of South Side, runs events for all ages, from Black History Month programs to storytimes, sewing classes, and technology help sessions. Restaurant Row in Downtown Ithaca sits a short walk away and includes Korean, Mexican, French, Italian, American, and Cajun dining options. Wegman’s and Trader Joe’s are less than a mile down South Meadow Street, and Creekside Plaza and South Meadow Marketplace add more retail choices. Housing in South Side consists mainly of closely spaced single-family homes, including workers’ cottages, Cape Cods, and Craftsman bungalows built from the early 1900s through the 1970s, along with some rentals used by graduate students. Parts of the neighborhood sit in a flood zone along Six Mile Creek, where heavy rain can bring more than 3 feet of water and some properties require flood insurance. Students attend highly rated Belle Sherman Elementary, DeWitt Middle, and Ithaca Senior High School.