Chemung is a rural community between Elmira and Waverly
Chemung, a small rural community in its namesake county, is full of densely forested landscapes with views of the distant mountains. “Our seasonal changes are absolutely beautiful, the scenery is beautiful,” says Toni Granger, a local broker with over 25 years of experience and the owner of Hatfield Real Estate. “In a day you can drive Niagara Falls, you could go to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. If you like day trips, this is the perfect place to be.” Located between Waverly and Elmira, Chemung benefits from its location along Interstate 86, allowing residents to access amenities in nearby cities before returning to the quiet, secluded countryside.
Sprawling public forests and smaller outdoor attractions
Outdoor sports like hunting are a large part of the local culture. “It’s close to a lot of state forests in every direction,” Granger says. “There’s leased land all over for hunters.” If residents don’t have the acreage to hunt on their own property, they can go to nearby nature reserves like Maple Hill State Forest, which is also good for camping and birdwatching. In the winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing become popular hobbies. More public parks are a short distance away in Waverly, including the Two Rivers State Park Recreation Area, which has multiuse trails and fishing on the park’s reservoir. The Chemung Speedrome is one of the biggest draws in Chemung, hosting car-racing events from April through August. Families and schools often visit Farmland Animal Park, where kids can ride horses and zip lines or visit goats, pigs and other animal exhibits. Tomasso’s Restaurant & Golf Course has an 18-hole golf course that’s open to the public year-round.
Lots of ranch-style homes and farmhouses, often with acreage
Chemung is centered on a small village center with close-set foursquare homes, surrounded by wooded country roads with more acre and multiacre properties. Many historic farmhouses date to the 19th and early-20th centuries, mixed with late-20th century ranch-style homes with wide covered porches. Though home styles here are usually more minimalist than in larger communities, the increased acreage allows for on-property ATV riding and hunting. Prices typically depend on lot size and the property’s condition, and range from $50,000 to $520,000.
Most students attend school in Waverly
Lincoln Street Elementary serves prekindergarten and kindergarten students and earns a B-minus from Niche, while the C-rated Elm Street Elementary serves first through fourth grades. The B-minus-rated Waverly Middle and the B-plus-rated Waverly High both offer many athletic programs, including football and soccer. In addition to sports, Waverly High offers classes in veterinary science, livestock production and agriculture mechanics. Though the Waverly Central Schools district serves most of the community, some homes on the west side may be zoned for Elmira City School District.
A few local businesses, with more retailers in Waverly
Locals typically drive to the Waverly area for chain retailers and grocery stores like Aldi, though there are a few businesses in Chemung as well. Diversion Brewing Company is the main community hub, serving craft brews with a rotating roster of food trucks on Thursdays and Fridays. The brewery often hosts small events, including silent auction fundraisers for the community, summer block parties and other holiday celebrations. Tomasso’s also has a restaurant that serves a mix of Italian and American fare.
Locals have easy access to Interstate 86
Chemung is located directly on Interstate 86, less than 10 miles west of Waverly and around 15 miles east of Elmira. CTran, Chemung County’s transit system, has an intercity bus route from Elmira to Owego, stopping in Chemung on the way. Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital is under 10 miles away and the Elmira Corning Regional Airport is about 25 miles away.
