Norwich is a small city providing amenities and jobs in a rural area
As the seat of Chenango County, Norwich is the hub of a rural area, providing shopping, jobs and community festivals in central New York state. “It’s a small city, and they have a very strong city center,” says Molly Nolan, a sales representative with Century 21 North East Integra who grew up in the area and has sold homes here for 13 years. “This is like Mayberry. There’s nothing new around here, so you have to get used to traveling. Like, if you want Target, you’re driving 45 minutes.” Downtown Norwich is home to longstanding businesses, and there are national retailers like Walmart on the edge of town. Norwich is also home to employers like Chobani, the county government and United Health Services Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Character-rich homes downtown and ranch-style houses in the country
The turn-of-the-century homes in Norwich’s center sit close together along sidewalk-lined streets and feature Italianate, National and Queen Anne designs. These often have yards large enough for mature trees, driveways and detached garages, and some have been adapted into multifamily properties with rental units. Ranch-style, Cape Cod and manufactured houses are more common along the city’s outskirts, and ranch-style houses on at least an acre can be found in the hilly countryside surrounding the city. Prices typically range from around $60,000 to $360,000. Some homes here are at high risk of flooding, and homeowners might have to buy flood insurance.
Longstanding businesses and national retailers
Downtown Norwich is a walkable stretch of Broad Street lined with brick storefronts. The locally owned businesses here include coffee shops, restaurants and a comic book store. “There’s an Italian restaurant downtown called Nina's that’s been there for as long as I can remember,” Nolan says. Nina’s opened in 1975 and serves classic Italian comfort food, including pizza by the slice. Down state Route 12, a giant steer stands atop the sign for Fred’s Inn, a motel and steakhouse that Nolan says is known for their brunch. Walmart, Tractor Supply Co. and fast-food restaurants are also along Route 12. Grocery stores here include Aldi and Price Chopper.
The Norwich City School District serves the area
The Norwich City School District earns an overall rating of C-plus from Niche. Pre-kindergarten through second-grade students can attend the C-rated Stanford J. Gibson Primary, then finish elementary school at the C-minus-rated Perry Browne Intermediate. They then head to Norwich Middle and Norwich High, which both earn a B-minus. The 9th Grade Academy at Norwich High helps middle schoolers transition to high school by offering personalized guidance and support throughout the year.
The Chenango River, parks and museums offer plenty to do
Kurt Beyer Park is one of several green spaces in the community. It offers walking paths around Canasawacta Creek and has an outdoor swimming pool in the warmer months. The Chenango River flows through the area and is a popular spot for kayaking. Weiler Park is home to a playground, tennis courts and a skatepark. In winter, a free ice skating rink opens nearby. “We do get our fair share of snow,” Nolan says. “It’s a hilly area, so you can go sledding.” The Stone Quarry is a network of trails leading to an overlook of the city, and these trails can be used in winter for cross-country skiing. Downtown, the Colonia Theater shows new and classic films. The city is also home to several museums, such as the Northeast Classic Car Museum, which displays over 200 vintage vehicles.
An arts festival and a county fair are popular summer events
On the weekend after Labor Day, the free Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival draws big crowds to the city for a juried art fair and live performances. There are three stages that host performers like musicians, poets and jugglers. The Chenango County Fair in August is another big event. “It’s very quaint and idyllic,” Nolan says, “everything from showing horses to demolition derbies and tractor pulls. It’s very country.” The fair features carnival rides, food vendors and livestock shows.
A car-reliant area with nearby amenities
State Routes 12 and 23 are the main thoroughfares that connect to nearby villages. Route 23 leads 31 miles to Oneonta, and Route 12 leads around 42 miles to Binghamton. Sidewalks make the city’s center pedestrian-friendly. The spire of Broad Street United Methodist Church is visible from much of downtown, and other houses of worship include St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church of Norwich and the Jewish Center of Norwich. UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital is on Broad Street. The Greater Binghamton Airport is a 42-mile trip.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
