Cuyler's scenic hills offer quiet living in Cortland County
Surrounded by state forests in the hills of Cortland County, Cuyler is an upstate New York community immersed in nature. Tara Emm, real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Prime Properties, explains that Cuyler's landscape and rural setting make it a scenic and peaceful place to live. "If you're an outdoor enthusiast, this is the place to be. If you like your privacy, this is your place to be," she says. Still, locals here enjoy a small-town atmosphere where people get to know one another. "It's the most down-to-earth, tight-knit community of people," Emm says.
Private homes perched on scenic hills and overlooking farms
Farmhouses and traditional-style homes built throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries are throughout the community. Ranch-styles, cottages and cabins built from the mid-20th century to today are also common. Many properties sit on several acres of land, tucked away in the woods, bordering farmland or perched on rolling hills. "When you are able to get up on the hills, the views are amazing," Emm says. Homes typically sell for between $200,000 and $250,000, though prices can be lower for homes needing extensive repairs or higher for very spacious houses on large lots. Cuyler's CAP Index Crime Score is a 1, lower than the national average of 4.
Many outdoor recreation options in nearby state forests
Several state forests surround Cuyler, including Mariposa State Forest, Cuyler Hill State Forest and Morgan Hill State Forest. Each of these forests spans several thousand acres. All of them have opportunities for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing during the snowy winters, as well as fishing, hunting and hiking through the dense woods intersected by creeks and dotted with ponds. Ski areas such as Labrador Mountain, a resort with more than 20 ski trails, are also just down the road.
Children attend school in the neighboring town
Students living in Cuyler typically attend DeRuyter Elementary School, which has a C rating from Niche, for kindergarten through fourth grade. They continue to C-rated DeRuyter Middle/High School for fifth through 12th grades. Middle and high school students can participate in extracurricular activities such as digital drawing, esports and Lego club.
Dining, grocery shopping and events are nearby in DeRuyter
The bordering town of DeRuyter has dining options. Locals can take out pasta dishes, garlic knots and specialty pizzas at Sal's Pizzeria, or order burgers and wings with a beer at Shelly's Bar and Restaurant. Big M Supermarket is nearby off State Route 13. "Cuyler Meshes into DeRuyter....From Cuyler, you take a two-minute drive and you're in DeRuyter," Emm says.
Locals can also head to DeRuyter for annual events like the Tromptown Marathon in September and the DeRuyter Fireman's Fair in August. Held over four days, the fair has vendors, exhibits, a truck and tractor pull competition, a pageant and other activities.
Driving to Syracuse and Cortland from Cuyler
Syracuse, home to Syracuse Hancock International Airport, is 30 miles north of Cuyler. Drivers can get to downtown Syracuse by connecting to State Route 91 and Interstate 81 from State Route 13, which goes through the village. Emm notes that ongoing construction on I-81 can impact traffic, but that commutes to the city are still relatively easier coming from the south than from the north. "North of Syracuse, it's so congested. That will never change," she says. Cortland, which has the Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, is about 15 miles southwest.
![Faith Wakefield]()
Written By
Faith Wakefield
