Small-town living between Syracuse and the Finger Lakes
Marcellus is tucked into the upstate New York countryside between Syracuse and the Finger Lakes region. Residents are about 6 miles from Camillus , a western Syracuse suburb, and the upscale lakeside community of Skaneateles . “It’s a very affordable alternative with a small-town feel,” says Michael Williams, broker and owner of Lake and Village Realty. The town of Marcellus centers on its namesake village, but many of its 6,000 residents are spread throughout surrounding hamlets like Marcellus Falls and Marietta, where some homes offer access to Otisco Lake.
Mix of 1800s and midcentury homes at competitive prices
Marcellus offers a blend of Cape Cod and Colonial Revival homes dating to the late 1800s, with midcentury ranch-style and split-level houses in the mix. Lots in the village measure up to three-quarters of an acre, with patches of front lawn, wooded backyards and paved driveways. Land parcels on the rural outskirts typically measure about an acre and a half, but some farms span 20 acres or more, with long gravel driveways and views of the surrounding hills. Attached and detached garages are common features that come in handy during the region’s long winters, which are characterized by heavy snowfall, ice storms and strong winds.
Average home values are slightly high for the Syracuse metro area, but properties are snapped up in about 30 days — well below the national average. “That’s because it’s actually inexpensive compared to the town just to the west, Skaneateles,” says Williams, who has 12 years of local experience. “You can be just 15 minutes from there and have a house for 300,000.” Cape Cods, ranch-style and split-level houses sell for $160,000 to $375,000, and larger raised ranch-style and Colonial Revival homes go for $400,000 to $625,000. Properties with amenities like private pools and access to Otisco Lake fetch prices from $650,000 to $800,000. Marcellus has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Weekly events and live music draw locals downtown
Several pubs, pizzerias and locally owned shops can be found in Marcellus’s small downtown. Riseform Brewing Co. updates its tap list every week and regularly features live bands. Locals gather over burgers and quesadillas at The Village Tavern, which hosts weekly trivia nights. Vintage books and unique gifts line the shelves at That’s What She Read Bookshop & Boutique, and Nightingale Mills Ace Hardware has been selling household essentials since 1888. Residents head out of town for groceries. Tops Friendly Markets and Walmart are about 7 miles away in Camillus, and the closest Wegmans is in Fairmount , about 10.
Nature trails, gardens and creeks offer outdoor adventures
Marcellus Park spreads out in the southeast corner of the village with sports courts, a baseball diamond, a walking trail and a playground. Picnic tables and grills sit alongside a creek where visitors can cool their feet on hot summer days. Asian and European sculptures accent the vibrant blossoms at Sycamore Hill Gardens. A footbridge serves as an observation deck for the koi pond, and reservations are required for self-guided tours of the hedge maze. Hikers traipse among hardwood and hemlock trees at Baltimore Woods Nature Center, but no dogs are allowed on the trails. Instead, families take their four-legged friends to Marcellus Falls to cool off in Nine Mile Creek, a popular fly-fishing spot. The golf simulator and 18-hole course at Sunset Ridge Golf Club are open to the public.
Marcellus schools receive B-range grades from Niche
Most students start at K.C. Heffernan Elementary School, which receives a Niche grade of B-plus. C.S. Driver Middle School is also rated B-plus, and Marcellus Senior High School is rated B. Locals can tune in to the NFHS Network to watch Marcellus Mustang sporting events on live TV.
Route 175 and Centro buses support local commutes
New York State Route 175 is the primary thoroughfare that doubles as Marcellus’s Main Street. Commuters can use this route to start the 12-mile drive to Syracuse and the 20-mile ride to Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Centro buses stop in the village to connect passengers to nearby towns, including Skaneateles, Auburn and Syracuse. The closest major medical center is Upstate Community Hospital, about 10 miles away.
Seasonal events light up the village throughout the year
On Halloween, the village hosts Marcellus Boo Fest, where costumed kids pose for photos, decorate pumpkins and bob for apples. Olde Home Days is a three-day June event with a book sale, craft fair, raffles, carnival rides, games and fireworks. During December’s tree lighting and Starlight Shopping celebration, local choirs perform holiday music while horse-drawn wagons roll through the streets.
Churches host food drives, fundraisers and community events
Marcellus United Methodist Church collects nonperishable food items for the local food pantry and hosts monthly breakfasts at its Rescue Mission. The church building serves as a meeting place for local Girl Scout troops and a site for American Red Cross blood drives. Congregants at St. John’s Episcopal Church donate returnable bottles and cans to support fundraising efforts.
