Constantia is a small, quiet town on Oneida Lake
Situated along Oneida Lake, Constantia refers to both a village and a town. The village is small, home to about 1,000 people. Meanwhile, the town is much bigger, including the nearby communities of Cleveland and Bernhards Bay, altogether with about 4,700 residents. “We have a pretty big footprint, so a lot of people live out back all the way by the town of Cleveland,” says Constantia town clerk Clare Haynes. While each community has a different selection of restaurants and amenities, they all center around Oneida Lake. “Our lake does span the majority of our town line. We have a couple of marinas here in town, and we have two different boat launches,” Haynes says. “We have 8 to 10 miles of lakeshore.” The lake also separates the community from Syracuse to the south, creating a quiet atmosphere and small-town feel. Constantia has a 2 out of 10 CAP Index Crime Score, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Fishing and boating on Oneida Lake and the county rail-to-trail
Private docks jut out onto Oneida Lake, but there are also public access points in the villages. Cleveland has a public boat launch and fishing pier right down the street from a bait shop. Oswego County and Constantia can have intense winters, so ice fishing is popular when the lake freezes. Also called Taft Park, Memorial Park at Taft Bay sits along the lakefront, with a public beach and lifeguards on duty in the summer. Residents also come here year-round for the playgrounds, baseball fields and basketball and tennis courts. “We have the recreational trail, which is an old railroad, and it goes right through town,” Haynes says. “It ends at the Oswego County line in Cleveland, and it ends in Central Square.” The Oswego County Recreational Trail is a little less than 30 miles long, traveling across the county. Three Mile Bay Wildlife Management Area has hunting and fishing on the lake.
Single-family homes on up to 40 acres in Constantia
Ranch-style homes, Nationals and traditional farmhouses are common throughout Constantia. Custom homes with private docks and fishing piers sit along Oneida Lake. In the villages, detached garages sit alongside homes, and streetlights sit at regular intervals. Outside the village centers, the streets are narrow, and there's plenty of distance between houses. Plots can range from half an acre to over 40 acres. Most single-family homes range from $150,000 to $350,000. Lakefront homes are slower to come on the market, but typically start around $550,000 and reach up to $830,000.
Constantia's riverside restaurants and wineries with live music
Sandbar Grill overlooks the water, with a dock where locals can boat up instead of driving. It serves American fare and has live music on Thursdays through Saturdays. Grace Tyler Estate Winery also has live music on Fridays in the summer. Dogs are welcome to join as their owners try local wines, ciders and beers, and there’s plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. In Bernhards Bay, North Shore Coffee and Tea Company is where people stop for warm drinks and pastries in the mornings. For groceries, Buckingham Market is right in downtown Constantia. Dollar General also has some grocery and freezer items. The nearest Walmart is 8 miles away in Central Square.
Central Square's public schools have plenty of clubs for students
Constantia students head to Central Square Central School District, but Aura A. Cole Elementary School is close to home in Constantia. It receives a C-plus from Niche. Central Square Middle School receives a B-minus. B-rated Paul V. Moore High School offers a variety of clubs and extracurricular activities, from drama and yearbook to mock trial and science Olympiad.
Heading to Syracuse for work, travel and health care
Most people in Constantia work in nearby cities. New York Route 49 goes through Constantia, linking it with Central Square and Interstate 81 to the west, which heads down to Syracuse, about 25 miles away. Syracuse is also home to St. Joseph’s Health Hospital and Syracuse Hancock International Airport, both within a 25-mile drive from Constantia
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Written By
Caroline Ernst
