Allegany Township offers suburban and rural living near a university
Allegany Township provides homebuyers looking in Cattaraugus County with proximity to shopping hubs and major highways. Allegany Village and the St. Bonaventure hamlet have more of a suburban feel close to the community's shops and restaurants, while homes on the outskirts offer quiet and spacious rural living. Regis Handley, a licensed real estate associate broker with Howard Hanna Professionals — Olean, says that St. Bonaventure University is another thing that draws people to Allegany, resulting in a boom for the community from fall to spring. “When school is in session, downtown has more gatherings on Main Street,” says Handley, who’s been selling homes in the area for over a decade. “In the summertime, though, the area is quieter.”
Homes in the village and along rural roads
Most homes are clustered around Allegany Village and St. Bonaventure, but there are also properties along forested backroads with larger lots. National-style homes were built as early as the 1850s, and there are also more modern houses like Cape Cods and ranch-style homes. “There are some areas outside of the village that have some newer development from the past 20 years,” Handley says. Houses in the village and hamlet are placed closer together, while properties on the town’s outskirts have lot sizes ranging from 2 acres to upwards of 50 acres. Homes that need renovations can sell for under $100,000, but most houses typically sell for $125,000 to $425,000.
Allegany-Limestone Central schools and St. Bonaventure University
Students are served by the Allegany-Limestone Central School District, which has a B-minus rating from Niche. They may start at Allegany-Limestone Elementary, which gets a B. Allegany-Limestone Middle-High also earns a B. St. Bonaventure University is a private college in town that enrolls around 2,100 students annually.
Commuting via Route 417, I-86
State Route 417 serves as the town’s main street and connects to neighboring Olean. Commuters can also take Interstate 86 for regional travel to major hubs like Erie. Olean General Hospital is just 5 miles away. The closest airport, Buffalo Niagara International, is 70 miles north.
National chains and local favorites line Route 417 and Main Street
Along Route 417, there’s a shopping center with Walmart and BJ’s Wholesale. The hub also features chains like Pet Supplies Plus, Home Depot and Old Navy, as well as an AMC movie theater. Allegany Village’s Main Street holds a collection of locally owned shops, cafes and restaurants. Burton Tavern has been a popular late-night spot for local students since the 1950s. “Alumni will come back just for the Burton Burgers,” Handley says. Randy's Up the River has been serving its famous fish fry and other American favorites since 1989. The staple dining spot also hosts weekly live music, as well as trivia and taco nights on Wednesdays.
Wildlife areas and state forests provide space to explore
The Allegany River runs through the area, with access available at Allegany River Park, which also features playground equipment and a skate park. Birch Run Ponds Wildlife Management Area provides opportunities for fishing and bird-watching. Surrounding state forests, like Windfall Creek and Nine Mile Creek, offer open space for hunting. Locals also make the 45-minute trip to Allegany State Park, which is the largest park in New York at 65,000 acres. In addition to sports facilities and a swimming lake in its Red House Area, the park has nearly 100 miles of trails for biking and hiking. For recreation in a more manicured green space, Birch Run Golf Club’s 18-hole course is open to the public from spring to fall. St. Bonaventure University also has its own nine-hole course that's open to the public.
Cattaraugus County Fair an annual highlight, with more events in Olean
The Enchanted Mountains host year-round events, including the week-long Cattaraugus County Fair in July, which has been around since 1842. It was originally held in Ellicottville before moving to Little Valley in 1865, where it still takes place today. Held during the last week in July, the event features amusement rides and animal exhibits, as well as live entertainment like demo derbies and monster trucks. Neighboring Olean is also a hub for gatherings like their Music in the Park concert series at Lincoln Park during the summer. The Olean Community Theatre puts on local productions throughout the year. There’s also Olean's Santa Claus Lane Parade to celebrate the holidays.
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Logan Soter-Reardon
