Lansing makes it easy to commute or relax along Cayuga Lake
When people think of New York, they might only think of high-intensity cities like Manhattan, but Lansing is just the opposite. Lansing offers a serene and laid-back lifestyle close to Cayuga Lake, one of the 11 Finger Lakes. “Lansing is a great area north of Ithaca,” says Jamie Jensen, an experienced team lead and licensed real estate salesperson with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “It’s got great proximity to Aurora, Cortland and Syracuse. There are premium homes near the water, but everyone has access to the waterfront through Myers Park.” Jensen also points out how close the area is to the private Cornell University, Tompkins County’s largest employer.
Lansing has two parts: The Town of Lansing and the Village of Lansing. The village offers retail centers and public utilities, while the homes in the town are more likely to be close to farmland and run on septic tank systems. Two school districts serve Lansing, and both get high ratings from Niche. Lansing strikes a balance between natural beauty with lake views, accessibility to busy cities and quiet living in communities with sidewalk-free streets and tall shade trees.
From homes along Cayuga Lake to smaller colonial and national houses
Older bungalows and national-style homes sell for $120,000 to $400,000, but colonial-inspired and split-levels tend to range from $400,000 to $600,000. “When you get outside of the city of Ithaca and the Ithaca school district, the prices are a little bit more affordable,” Jensen says. “The taxes are slightly less. So when clients are looking at their overall budget, they tend to skew more toward Lansing.” Properties close to Cayuga Lake have gone for $600,000 to $900,000, but grand houses with up to 5 acres are the most expensive, selling for $900,000 to $1.2 million. Homes directly along the water may be in a flood zone.
Brief commutes to Cornell and access to Ithaca Tompkins International
Lansing residents are a short distance from jobs at Cornell’s large campus. Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit buses also transport workers and students who wait at stops along North Triphammer Road and Warren Road. Commuters heading to Syracuse connect onto Interstate 81 North for a roughly 54-mile drive that usually takes just over an hour. Cortland is closer, about 20 miles away. “We see people who are looking into the area who want to be able to make it to the bigger airport, which is Syracuse,” Jensen says. “Lansing is on the correct side of Cayuga Lake to get to Syracuse faster. I have clients who maybe work remote but once a week have to go to the office, so they need to catch a flight.” The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport offers flights through Delta and United to larger airports, such as John F. Kennedy International Airport and Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. There are usually a few flights a day, which means residents don’t hear constant plane noise. There are places of worship throughout Lansing, including Tikkun v'Or Reform Temple, Holy Apostles Orthodox Church and the Al-Huda Islamic Center.
Lansing's highly rated schools draw new residents
The Lansing Central School District is rated A-minus by Niche, and some residents move to the area just for the schools. R. C. Buckley Elementary School earns an A-minus and feeds into Lansing Middle School, which gets a B-plus. Lansing High School receives an A-minus as well. Parts of the Village of Lansing are in the Ithaca City School District, which is also rated A-minus and has the best public high school in the county, according to Niche.
Free parking at Myers Park for Lansing residents
Lansing has small parks like Marian Hartill Park in the village and athletic fields surrounding the Town of Lansing’s Parks & Recreation Department. “One of my favorite parts about Lansing is Myers Park,” Jensen says. “It’s a free park for Lansing residents. You go get a sticker for your car, and you can go at any time. There are boat rentals, kayaks and a wonderful playground. They have a great summer camp for kids.” The park also features a dedicated swimming area where lifeguards watch nearby.
Hanging out at Salt Point Brewing Company or shopping at Target
Residents could make a short trip to downtown Ithaca to dine out, but Jensen says there are popular restaurants and chain stores nearby. Salt Point Brewing Company’s menu includes wood-fired pizzas with sourdough crusts that pair with the locally crafted beer selection. Crossroads Bar and Grille is down the street and has space for people to sit at the bar or a table while they enjoy burgers, sandwiches or wings. Jensen highlights Sumo Japanese Sushi & Hibachi Restaurant in the Cayuga Shopping Center. Across the street, the quiet Shops at Ithaca Mall features tenants like Target and Cayuga Health facilities. Target has a grocery section, but anyone who prefers a dedicated grocery store can shop at Aldi or BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Bingo, live music and a parade at Lansing Community Celebration
The Lansing Events Committee organizes events throughout the year, from Easter egg hunts to the annual car show. The biggest event is the Lansing Community Celebration, held every September at the Lansing Fire Department’s central station. Volunteer firefighters sell homemade dishes while visitors try to get five across in bingo, wait in line for carnival rides or see which bands are playing. The three-day event usually includes a fireworks display and a parade complete with dancers and fire trucks. All the money raised from the celebration goes toward high school scholarships and a food pantry the committee manages.
