Residents choose Pitcher for its quiet and secluded feel
Pitcher offers country living in Chenango County. The tiny town of just over 600 residents was settled around 1794, and hasn't changed much since then. "This is one of those townships where if you blink, you miss it," says local Realtor Pamela Cullip with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. "There are mostly farms and generational homes that haven't changed hands. When people move here, it's because they want to be there; they want to be remote." The community also offers proximity to state forests, lakes and a major interstate, so amenities are always within reach.
Land is often passed down, but some properties hit the market
The community has classic rural homes on acreages, stretching between dairy farms, crop fields and middle-aged hardwood forests. However, housing and land aren't frequently available. "There's not a lot of demand in this area because it's so remote," Cullip says. "The bulk of land tends to be handed down over generations, but you will find people from downstate who buy land for hunting lodges or vacation getaways." When available, homes are typically 19th and 20th-century farmhouse-style and ranch-style. There are also some manufactured homes and some more modern construction. Prices range between $40,000 and $160,000, depending on the amount of acreage or age of the house.
Cincinnatus schools offer band, chorus and a B-minus high school
Cincinnatus Central School District serves over 500 students and earns an overall C-plus rating on Niche. Students attend one campus, which includes C-rated Cincinattus Elementary and B-minus-rated Cincinnatus Junior-Senior High. Students may participate in the school's music program, which includes band, chorus and drama.
Pitcher has year-round outdoor access to forests and river
Pitcher sits in a valley surrounded by state forests and nature preserves, allowing residents to enjoy the outdoors during all four seasons. Taylor Valley State Forest offers activities from hunting and fishing to hiking and cross-country skiing. Another option is Pitcher Springs State Forest, which offers camping, hunting and trapping. There are plenty of water activities near Pitcher, as well. In nearby Cincinnatus are picnic areas and a playground along the Otselic River. The river expands at Whitney Point, where visitors can go paddling and boating. Pitcher is about 35 miles from Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes.
Groceries and food at Cincinnatus Home Center
The community has a small town center, with a few municipal offices and a church. Residents may travel to nearby Cincinnatus, 4 miles away, for Dollar General or Cincinnatus Home Center. This small-town general store features basic groceries, local goods and hardware needs. There's also a deli that offers subs and wraps. There are more dining, big box retail and entertainment options in surrounding communities like Cortland and Binghamton, which are within an hour's drive of Pitcher.
Route 26 connects Pitcher to hospitals, highways and airports
New York State Route 26 runs through Pitcher, meeting with Routes 41 and 23 near Cincinnatus. Route 41 brings residents to Cortland and Interstate 81, about 5 miles west. Cortland has the nearest hospital, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. Traveling north on I-81, residents may reach Syracuse and the Syracuse International Airport, which is about 50 miles away. Ithaca and Ithaca Tompkins International Airport are around 40 miles from Pitcher. Pitcher has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
