Rural Otselic has outdoor recreation and second homes
Otselic, a rural town 39 miles from Syracuse, is nestled in rolling greenery and state forests. Outdoor recreation such as hiking, snowmobiling, fishing and hunting are popular pastimes here. “Otselic is a very rural area; the majority of the draw for the properties that I sell over there are recreational buyers,” says Tere Stronach-Bullen, an associate broker with Chenango County Realty. Stronach-Bullen has been working in the industry since 2012. “People looking for camps, getaway places, outdoorsmen, the hunters and the people who like the great outdoors.” Most homes are second homes used as seasonal cabins for those looking to get away and enjoy the natural scenery.
Hiking, skiing and fishing in state forests
“There are a lot of opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping and thousands of acres of state forest and game lands,” says Stronach-Bullen. “People can snowmobile, and trails are maintained by the state, and private trails are maintained by clubs.” State forests make up most of Otselic and the surrounding area. The Bucks Brook State Forest is over 2,000 acres near state Route 26. Visitors may take a scenic drive through Bucks Brook gorge. The forest offers primitive camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and trapping. In the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on hiking trails. Otselic State Forest is also near Route 26 and is over 1,000 acres. Part of the Finger Lakes Trail passes through the forest and camping, hunting, trapping and fishing are also permitted here along with winter activities, including snowmobiling. Beaver Meadow State Forest is larger, spanning over 5,000 acres near state Route 80 and offers similar amenities. There are no designated hiking trails, but it is permitted anywhere in the forest unless stated otherwise. Since there are no trails, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are not allowed, but visitors may snowmobile in the winter.
Homes in simple styles on farmlands and in hamlets
Homes are set along winding roads on farmland or clustered together in hamlets. Many homes have wells and septic tanks. Homes in flatter areas near the Otselic River may flood. “If you're looking for a second home, it is in a great, very quiet area,” says Stronach-Bullen. “If you like to snowmobile, if you like to hunt and fish, that’s a big draw to the area.” Cottage, National and ranch-style homes are common. They have a median selling price of $350,000. “Inventory tends to be older in the area, so I would recommend doing a home inspection. These are not cookie-cutter homes. Each house is going to have its own individual personality,” says Stronach-Bullen. “If you are looking for a year-round residence, you’ll probably have to put a little work into it to bring it up to what a potential homebuyer's standard may be.”
Otselic Valley Central School District gets a C
The Otselic Valley Central School District has one school that serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Otselic Valley receives a C from Niche. The school library is public and holds events for the community, such as arts and crafts and chair yoga. Some students attend the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District, which gets a C-plus or the DeRuyter Central School, which gets a C.
State routes lead to Syracuse and Utica
State Route 80 leads 39 miles to Syracuse and state Route 26 leads 44 miles to Utica. County Road 16 leads 19 miles to Norwich. The Community Memorial Hospital is 16 miles away in Hamilton, and the Syracuse Hancock International Airport is 48 miles away. Houses of worship such as West Smyrna Baptist Church, First Baptist Church and United Methodist Church are in the hamlets of Otselic and South Otselic.
Shopping and dining in South Otselic and Norwich
Murray’s Pizza, in South Otselic, is known for its wings and pies. The Sunshine Shop, also within South Otselic, is a thrift store selling clothing and household items. Old School Wool & Weaving, located in the Otselic Valley Grange, uses 18th and 19th-century tools to create clothing and textiles. The shop also offers classes and lessons in these traditional crafting methods. Fox Trail Farm, 9 miles away off state Route 26, has a farm stand selling preserves, bakery items, candles and other seasonal flowers, fruits and vegetables. More shopping and dining are in Norwich, such as Park Place Sports Bar & Grill, which serves pub and American comfort food. There’s also a Price Chopper, an Aldi and a Walmart Supercenter for groceries.
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
