Hastings offers rural and town living with access to Oneida Lake
Much of Oswego County falls into either a rural community or a big town, but Hastings has a dash of both. “We’re on the transitional between the rural country and your city feel," says town historian Heather Stevens. "We’re smack dab in the middle. You’ve got the benefits of both.” The town of Hastings includes several villages, like Mallory and Central Square, as well as a more rural expanse on the north side. Interstate 81 runs through the area, connecting the town with bigger cities to the south. “We’re still close enough to the hustle and bustle of Syracuse and Cicero . It’s encroaching,” Stevens says. The southernmost tip touches Oneida Lake and the Oneida River, and Central Square is home to a Walmart Supercenter and local schools, making it a hub for nearby communities. Hastings also receives a 2 out of 10 Cap Index Crime Score, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Hastings's rural atmosphere and more compact living in Central Square
In Central Square, sidewalks lead to ranch-style homes, Nationals and New Traditionals. Front porches often overlook gardens, and detached garages sit at the end of driveways. In the rest of Hastings, country roads are lined with forests and farmland, mostly featuring manufactured or ranch-style homes at a lower price point than in Central Square. Manufactured homes in the rural parts sell for $60,000 to $180,000, and ranch-style homes go for $180,000 to $360,000. In Central Square, prices range from $270,000 to $570,000.
American diners, waterfront restaurants and the local Walmart
Most of Hastings’s dining scene is concentrated in Central Square and around the lake. Good Golly’s is an American diner with purple booths. East Ave Deli started as just an ice cream parlor, but expanded to fish fries, sandwiches and deli meat as it became more popular. The Waterfront Tavern overlooks Oneida Lake, with a dock where patrons can tie up their boats. Central Square has a Walmart, which also serves surrounding communities like Constantia and Parish . North Syracuse has another Walmart, Target and Wegmans about 15 miles away.
Community green spaces, golf courses and Oneida Lake
Goettel Community Park is in the middle of Central Square and includes baseball fields and a butterfly garden. Greenview Country Club is nearby in West Monroe , with two 18-hole courses open to the public. On the southern side of the community, Lighthouse Park features a lighthouse built in 1916 that overlooks Oneida Lake. Brewerton Speedway has motorsports and racing from May to August each year. “You’ve got the lakes. You’ve got the hunting. You’ve got the snowmobiling in the winter,” Stevens says. “There’s always something to do recreation-wise.”
Local pride for Central Square's public school district
Hastings students can attend one of two elementary schools. Hastings-Mallory Elementary School serves the northern side of town and receives a C-plus from Niche, while Central Square students head to C-rated Millard Hawk Elementary School. Central Square Middle School receives a B-minus. B-rated Paul V. Moore High School has a range of clubs, from mock trial and yearbook to drama and science Olympiad. School pride is also a big part of life in Hastings. “We’ve worked with a few art teachers, and there’s a beautiful mural,” Stevens says. “It’s a patriotic mural with the high school marching band coming up Main Street for Memorial Day.”
The fall Apple Festival and summer concerts in the park
Apart from the Memorial Day Parade, the biggest event of the year is the Apple Festival. Hosted by the Hastings Lions Club, the Apple Festival is a 40-year fall tradition in late September. The weekend includes carnival rides and games, crafts, live music and apple-themed food. There’s even a competition for the best apple dish. “We have a group called Project Bloom, which is a beautification group, and they hold a concert series in the park,” Stevens says about the Central Square Summer Concert Series. “And that’s 100% funded by local businesses and people who donate.” The concerts are on Wednesday nights at the gazebo at Goettel Community Park. Community organizations and volunteering are a big part of local culture, with several groups for residents to join. “We have two Lions Clubs, yet they still work together to help with the school supply drives,” Stevens says.
Taking I-81 to Syracuse's hospital and airport
Interstate 81 runs through Hastings, linking it with Syracuse, about 25 miles away. U.S. Route 11 also goes in the same direction through Central Square, offering another way to get to the bigger city. In addition to work opportunities, Syracuse has other major amenities for Oswego County residents. St. Joseph’s Health Hospital is located downtown. Syracuse Hancock International Airport is about 20 miles away.
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Written By
Caroline Ernst
