$140,283Average Value$100Average Price per Sq Ft46Homes For Sale
A small city that hosts two famous institutions but flies under the national radar
Olean, New York, is home to just under 14,000 residents. It sits on the banks of the Alleghany River and is the largest city in Western New York’s Southern Tier region. “We’re not a county seat, but we do serve many bedroom communities,” says Realtor Patricia Collier with RE/MAX On Point, who has lived in Olean for 12 years. “We host a prestigious university, St. Bonaventure, and we’re the home of Cutco, the kitchen knife brand. We have a vibrant chamber of commerce that has invested a lot of money into Main Street.” Despite all this, and its thriving business districts and entertainment scenes, Olean tends to be an unfamiliar name on the national stage. “Nobody pronounces it right,” she laughs. “But that’s because it feels very much like a small town. When I moved here from Maine, I researched extensively, and it became home. Today, I never know who to thank when I get up in the morning and my driveway has been shoveled. It could have been any one of my neighbors.”
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Historic homes on well-organized streets
Homes in Olean sit on well-ordered gridlock streets, crisscrossed by sidewalks and shaded by tall leafy trees. “There are a lot of historic homes in town,” Collier says. “Some new builds have gone up, but mostly what you’ll find is older stock.” The median price in the city is around $115,000, and nearly every home is within walking distance of the Alleghany River. Like most of Western New York, snow is a regular occurrence, but residents see less than might be expected. “Because we’re sort of nestled in the valley, we tend not to see as much snow as nearby towns with higher elevation,” Collier says.
Homes like this Victorian can be found mostly in the west part of Olean while more modern builds are typical for the northeast.
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Public schools, private options and St. Bonaventure University
Students are zoned to attend the Olean City School District, which scores an overall C from Niche. Private options include Southern Tier Catholic School, which earns an A. On the national stage, the city is known for its proximity to St. Bonaventure University. “It really draws a lot of people to the area,” Collier says. “You can hardly go anywhere without seeing someone in a Bonnie sweatshirt.” On U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Regional University Values in the North, St. Bonaventure placed 6th.
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North Union Street is the de facto Main Street of Olean
Grocery stores and big-box retailers are scattered throughout the city, accessible via West State Street and North Union Street, the two major thoroughfares. Most of Olean’s restaurants sit on either side of Union Street, from casual eateries to locally owned draws. “We’re really well-known for Beef 'N' Barrel,” Collier says. “There’s plenty of shopping on Main Street, and a lot of investment went in to putting in roundabouts all along it, which made it very walkable.”
Beef-N-Barrel is a family owned steakhouse in Olean that has been open for over 40 years.
North Union Street is the de facto main street of Olean with many shops and restaurants.
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Green spaces along the Alleghany River
Proximity to the river informs most of Olean’s outdoor recreation. “The Alleghany River has a paved trail that loops around the St. Bonaventure campus,” Collier says. “There’s a bunch of parks along it, too, with gazebos for picnics and even a dog park.” Baseball diamonds at Forness Park and Franchot Park draw crowds for pickup games, and boating or fishing the river is a common pastime.
Franchot Park in Olean has a baseball diamond, a playground and a splashpad.
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Crime statistics
Crime data for Olean is not readily available.
Two major thoroughfares connect Olean to Buffalo
While most of Olean is walkable, residents will likely rely on cars to get to other parts of the state. North Union Street is the main north-south thoroughfare, connecting the community to Interstate 86 and Buffalo.
March Madness and the Ellicottville ski resort
Outside of March Madness, when support for qualifying St. Bonaventure teams grips the town, Olean’s events are driven by local churches and the community. “St. Mary of the Angels is a church that gained basilica status,” Collier says. “They have a huge festival for four days every year that always draws a crowd.” The local farmer’s market takes place every Saturday when in season and the nearby Ellicottville ski resort hosts Oktoberfest celebrations and other festivals throughout the year.
Written By
Hugh Taylor
Photography Contributed By
Stefan Ludwig
Video By
EB Fox
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jerry Thompson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Olean, NY sell after 65 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Olean, NY over the last 12 months is $149,950, up 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This 0.73-acre parcel is located in a quiet residential area and features a mostly wooded landscape, offering natural privacy and a peaceful setting. A great opportunity for a variety of potential uses, this property provides a blank canvas for your ideas. Whether you're looking for land to hold, explore, or shape into something of your own, this lot offers flexibility and potential in a
Welcome to this beautifully renovated and spacious 2,500 sq ft home offering flexibility, style, and income or multi-generational living potential! The main residence features 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, with a smart layout that includes one bedroom and full bath on the first floor and two additional bedrooms upstairs. Step inside through the covered front porch/mudroom into a bright and
Opportunity awaits with this 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch home located in a desirable Olean neighborhood near the prestigious Bartlett Country Club. Offering the convenience of one-floor living, this home features a spacious primary suite with a private en suite bathroom, first-floor laundry, a full basement with endless storage or finishing potential, and an attached one-car garage. Step outside to
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Welcome to this spacious 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home in Olean, offering a great combination of classic character, comfortable living space, and a fully fenced backyard. With hardwood floors, pocket doors, multiple living areas, and plenty of natural light, this home has a lot to offer inside and out.The first floor features an eat-in kitchen with large windows overlooking the back deck and
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This charming South Olean home offers 2–3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, providing flexible living space to suit your needs. The first floor features a convenient laundry area, along with a spacious family room complete with a cozy wood-burning fireplace.Enjoy gatherings in the formal dining room and the bright double living room, offering plenty of space for relaxation or
JUST REDUCED!!! ACT NOW!!! High-visibility commercial building on Route 417 in the Village of Allegany. This block-and-brick property offers excellent potential for a wide range of businesses with C2 Highway Commercial zoning. The building features a large open shop area with concrete floors, high ceilings, and an overhead bay entry for easy access. At the front, a dedicated office/showroom with
Enjoy downtown living in this **furnished 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath apartment** located right on N Union Street in the heart of Olean. This rental comes furnished and offers plenty of character with exposed brick, hardwood floors, and an open-concept kitchen and living room. The updated kitchen flows directly into the living area, where large windows provide great views overlooking N Union Street and
This is a 1 bedroom 1 bedroom fully furnished rustic home. Small balcony off the upper bedroom and little back lawn, This has its own private driveway.
This 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment at 125 S 7th St offers 700 square feet of living space. The living room provides ample room for relaxation and features straightforward access to the kitchen. The bedroom is designed for comfort and includes sufficient closet space. The bathroom is equipped with standard fixtures and provides necessary amenities. On-site laundry facilities are available for
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