New Hartford offers small-town character in an amenity-filled location
A day out and about in New Hartford can include a rich Italian meal at Georgio's Village Cafe, a gander through the jam-packed shelves at the public library, retail therapy at the mall and a stroll through the woods at one of the local parks, all without leaving town. This community of nearly 22,000 is on the edge of the larger city of Utica, yet it boasts a wealth of its own amenities and an established yet diverse array of homes. That’s all while preserving its neighborly environment. “It’s a great community to live in,” says local Realtor Jared Miller, who’s with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and has about six years of realty experience. “My kids love their school and their friends. We have a group of community friends that we spend time with.”
Homes come with yard space and classic styling
New Hartford has some houses dating to the 1800s, but many of the options here were built across the mid-20th century. These areas are filled with a variety of bungalows, colonials and ranch-style homes, some of which have attached garages. Most homes come with front and backyard space, typically on lots of at least one-tenth of an acre. The area’s oldest houses, including Foursquares and Gable-front options, are primarily concentrated in the center of the community, known as the Village of New Harford. The village offers sidewalk-lined blocks shaded by trees, a departure from the more rustic residential streets elsewhere. Single-family houses around New Hartford that are under 2,500 square feet tend to sell for $120,000 to $470,000, while larger homes garner anywhere from $480,000 to $790,000. There are also duplexes and triplexes for $140,000 to $360,000, condos and townhouses for $240,000 to $410,000, and manufactured homes ranging from $40,000 to $250,000.
Italian staples to craft brews, area eateries offer a range of choices
The Village of New Hartford is a hub of the area’s dining scene. This section of the wider New Hartford community features Georgio’s Village Cafe, which is known for dishes such as chicken riggies. “Arguably the best Italian food in the area,” Miller says. “And we live in a very Italian food-dense area as well." Café CaNole Bakery & Restaurant is another Italian spot nearby, with popular pastries. One Genny is a village staple for pizza. “That’s a cool bar and grill type of restaurant that everybody sort of congregates at,” Miller says. Grow Brewing Co. has over 10 beers on tap and doubles as home to Stride Coffee Roasters. “So you can go there in the morning and get fantastic coffee,” Miller says. “And then they do all their microbrewing there, right on site, and they have a cool outdoor area, patio area, indoor area. They usually have live music. It’s a vibe.”
The New Hartford Shopping Center, not far from the restaurants, includes an Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and a Dollar General. Sangertown Square, farther northeast, is the only enclosed mall in a 40-mile radius and has stores from Bath & Body Works to Zumiez. The mall is across from a Hannaford supermarket. Locals looking for a quieter way to spend some free time can head to the New Hartford Public Library on the south side of town, which has over 100,000 items. “A lot of places don’t prioritize that, but our public library is wonderful,” Miller says.
Central green space is a magnet for community events
The New Hartford Village Green, at the center of the community, acts as a public event space. The Village Green hosts a farmers market on Wednesdays from June through August. The New Hartford Citizens’ Band performs a series of weekly concerts in the space from June to August. The Village Green also serves as the site of the Believe Festival in late November, a Christmas celebration featuring appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as a parade.
School extracurricular activities touch on tech and science
The majority of New Hartford is within the New Hartford Central School District, which boasts an A rating from Niche. Students may start at the A-minus-rated Robert L. Bradley Elementary, where student groups include a computer club and a Lego robotics club. The district’s Perry Junior High gets an A grade and has an astronomy club and a Science Olympiad team. The A-rated New Hartford Senior High offers alternative energy and photography/video media clubs.
Community parks feature courts, playgrounds and pavilions
New Hartford has a pair of full-size community parks. Sherrillbrook Town Park offers trails, six pickleball courts and a dog park. Donovan Town Park features a splash pad open from July through August and a pair of tennis courts. Both parks include playgrounds and pavilions.
Transportation can take multiple forms
New York state Route 12 leads directly into the heart of Utica, where the 373-bed Wynn Hospital is, about 4 miles away. The Syracuse Hancock International Airport is about 50 miles away using nearby Interstate 90. The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority has multiple bus stops in New Hartford. The Centro system features routes around the region, from Utica to Cortland.
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
