Cortland earned the nickname “Crown City” for being the highest-elevated city in New York. This area in Cortland County was settled in 1791 and has since become a destination for learning and working in the education industry. Anita Bryan is an associate broker on the Jamie Jensen Team at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services who says Cortland’s colleges are major draws to the city. “The colleges bring in many jobs,” Bryan says. “Most of our college employees live in our county, and there’s been more activity with people who work in Syracuse moving here. There’s a new Micron plant in Syracuse that’s really eaten up the market there.” Cortland isn’t all work and no play tho since residents live close to the Finger Lakes and Greek Peak Mountain Resort.
Cortland earned the nickname “Crown City” for being the highest-elevated city in New York.
Cortland isn’t all work and no play since residents live close to the Finger Lakes, with beautiful Cayuga Lake being the closest.
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Learning and working at SUNY Cortland and TC3
Cortland City School District gets a C-plus from Niche and has five schools, all within city limits. Tompkins Cortland Community College, often called TC3, gets a C-minus, while SUNY Cortland earns a B-minus. “SUNY Cortland is known for sports,” Bryan says. “The Jets even trained here.”
Cortland City School District gets a C-plus from Niche and has five schools, all within city limits.
SUNY Cortland is known for sports, the Jets even trained here.
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Low median price and renting options
The median home price in Cortland is $179,000, which is much lower than the national median. Bryan says renters, investors and primary homeowners can find properties here and in more rural areas just outside Cortland. There are houses with ranch-style, Colonial Revival and even Queen Anne designs. Students looking for rental options can find homes or individual units close to SUNY Cortland.
The median home price in Cortland is $179,000, which is much lower than the national median.
Students looking for rental options can find homes or individual units close to SUNY Cortland.
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Events at Courthouse Park and skiing at Greek Peak Mountain Resort
Some residents walk along the paved paths that border Courthouse Park, the grassy space in front of the historic courthouse with statues honoring heroes who fought for the Union during the Civil War and victims of the 9/11 tragedy. Events like the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest are held at the park and include pumpkin painting, hayrides and vendor shopping.
While some cities dread snow, Cortland residents see it as a chance to ski at popular destinations like Greek Peak Mountain Resort. Hot and humid summers make the nearby Finger Lakes a busy spot for relaxing.
Some residents walk along the paved paths that border Courthouse Park, the grassy space in front of the historic courthouse with statues honoring heroes who fought for the Union during the Civil War and victims of the 9/11 tragedy.
While some cities dread snow, Cortland residents see it as a chance to ski at popular destinations like Greek Peak Mountain Resort.
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Paying homage to Wickwire Bros. and Brockway Motors
Cortland was home to the Wickwire Bros. Factory, one of the largest area employers until the late 1950s. The 1890 House Museum preserves the story of the influential Wickwire family and acts as a meeting place for SUNY Cortland alumni. Brockway Motor Company was another important company here, and the Brockway Truck Preservation Association organizes the Brockway Trucks Car Show parade every year. The parade starts at the CNY Living History Center and circles the Cortland Country Club.
According to FBI data, the Cortland Police Department reported a roughly 24% increase in nonviolent crimes and an over 28% increase in violent crimes in 2023.
The 1890 House Museum preserves the story of the influential Wickwire family and acts as a meeting place for SUNY Cortland alumni.
The Brockway Trucks Car Show parade circles the Cortland Country Club every year.
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Dining at locally owned restaurants on Main Street
Diners, pubs and coffee shops line Main Street, and The Local Food Market & Cafe sells organic groceries and pre-made meals. More popular restaurants are off U.S. Route 11, like Coffee Mania and AJ’s Family Diner. “There are a lot of local vendors and events between Cortland and Homer,” Bryan says. “There’s also a variety of restaurants, so there’s plenty of things to do.” Bryan also points out the Cortland City Farmer’s Market as a popular event. Vendors sell locally sourced produce and treats every Tuesday and Saturday on Court Street.
Cortland has churches and a few synagogues, but the oldest is the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cortland, also known as "The Old Cobblestone Church.” The church is one of the last surviving cobblestone churches in New York, and the Morey & Barnes organ is one of the last of its kind.
The Local Food Market & Cafe in Cortland sells organic groceries and pre-made meals.
More popular restaurants and coffee shops are off U.S. Route 11 in Cortland, like Coffee Mania.
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Driving to Syracuse or Binghamton
Interstate 81 runs along Cortland's eastern border and guides commuters 40 miles north to Syracuse and 40 miles south to Binghamton. “Traffic isn’t backed up like in Ithaca,” Bryan says. “You don’t have a lot of people walking around.” Ithaca Thompkins International Airport is about 20 miles from the city, about a 30-minute drive down state Route 13. Guthrie Cortland Medical Center has been in the community for over 125 years, and its campus is off Homer Avenue. The hospital also features a specialized cancer center.
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