On the banks of Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh is a small city surrounded by the North Country's scenic landscapes situated about 20 miles south of the Canadian border and 60 miles from Montreal. "We're right in the valley between the Adirondacks and the lake," says Gaelan Trombley, associate real estate broker with Kavanaugh Realty, who has been in the industry for over a decade. "Plattsburgh isn't a destination spot everyone wants to move to, but I see many people fall in love with the small-town feel and natural beauty. It's even been named one of the best micro-cities in the nation." The Town of Plattsburgh surrounds the city, but many blur the lines, referring to the entire area as a town. "It's a cool little place. Out-of-towners love it, but residents often overlook its amenities, Gaelan says. "It's like a diamond in the rough in your backyard."
The State University of New York (SUNY) – Plattsburgh is centrally located along the banks of the Saranac River, drawing in over 4,000 students annually. “I have a couple of friends that went to school here and never left,” Trombley says. “There’s a lot of Canadian and college influences, but we’re not just a college town. It’s quieter when the semester ends, but it’s not our only identity.” Many residents share ties with Canadian ancestors, boast French names and work for Canadian-owned companies.
The city was home to The Battle of Valcour Island in 1776, considered one of the first naval battles of the American Revolution, while The Battle of Plattsburgh Bay was a key factor in ending the War of 1812. Today, “The Town of Plattsburgh is the region’s economic hub known for its aerospace and manufacturing clusters, while the city is our arts district," says Town Supervisor Michael Cashman. Other major employers in the area span the healthcare, education and social service sectors.
Plattsburgh sits on the banks of Lake Champlain and plays an intricate role in the cities history and lifestyle.
With over 60 degree programs SUNY Plattsburgh is a great place to advance your education to a higher level.
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19th-, 20th- and 21st-century homes
An array of historic 19th- and 20th-century homes are scattered along densely populated urban streets. Architectural styles include an eclectic mix of cottages, bungalows, American Foursquares and National-style homes with steep gabled roofs. Many single-family homes have been converted into multi-unit properties. On the outskirts of town, 20th-century townhouses, Colonial Revivals and split-levels showcase the city’s expanding development over the years. Median list prices hover around $240,000, ranging from the low-$100,000s to the mid-$500,000s. New construction is rare and typically comes with price tags on the higher end of the scale.
You can find classic Colonial Revivals and more in Plattsburgh.
Just outside the downtown area there are new housing developments popping up with modern builds to meet the chanigng design styles of our day.
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From the mountains to the lake
Several parks dot the banks of Lake Champlain, ranging from open green spaces to small stretches of sandy beachfront. Sunbathers and swimmers can head to Plattsburgh City Beach while furry friends run around the neighboring dog park. A wooded hiking area leads to the neighboring Cumberland Bay State Park. Four miles south are two city marinas. “The city hosts a Lake Champlain International fishing competition every summer,” Trombley says. Plattsburgh boasts many city parks, but Melissa Penfield Park is one of the largest, with a playground, sports courts, a community garden and a skatepark. U.S. Oval Park is another popular green space and home to the local YMCA. The Barracks Golf Course is a public course about 5 miles south of the city. About 10 miles west, Cadyville Park features the area’s only disc golf course. “People come from all over the region and even Canada to use the course,” Cashman says.
The Saranac River Trail spans a little over a mile and leads to Downtown Plattsburgh, while the Empire State Trail winds along the banks of Lake Champlain before merging with U.S. Route 9. Plattsburgh sits just outside Adirondack Park, where 6 million acres of rugged terrain attract hikers, bikers, rock climbers, skiers, snowmobilers and more. With 2,000 miles of hiking trails, 46 mountain peaks and over 3,000 lakes, the Adirondacks is the largest protected area in the contiguous United States. “We’re less than an hour from Whiteface Mountain, which hosted Olympic skiing events back in the day,” Trombley says, while the city is also a jumping-off point for Lake Placid explorations.
Plattsburgh Beach is a quiet place to visit in the winter but during the summer is in full swing with locals and lots of tourist.
At just over 6 miles many can enjoy a stroll along the Saranac River Trail allowing the sights and sounds of many local fauna to enjoy.
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Small-town events
Small-town events range from the Christmas-themed Miracle on Margaret Street to Halloween trick-or-treating downtown. Parks Come Alive! is the city’s annual summer concert series, when residents flock to different parks each month for live music, food trucks and fun. A Fourth of July parade with over 30 floats takes place before live music at City Hall and nighttime fireworks. However, some of the city’s largest events include the Mayor’s Cup Regatta & Festival along the beachfront and the Battle of Plattsburgh commemoration with historical reenactments, live music and more.
Shopping and dining on Margaret Street
Mom-and-pop shops and restaurants line Margaret Street in Downtown Plattsburgh. Establishments include cozy cafes, casual restaurants and a dozen bars catering to college students. Plattsburgh is also the “Home of the Michigan,” a hot dog topped with a tomato-based meat sauce. “All the locals know what a Michigan is, but no one outside Plattsburgh does,” Trombley says. “Every summer, we celebrate Michigan Month, where residents can get a ’passport‘ and travel to all the local eateries known for their dogs. If you visit all four, you win a t-shirt.” Cashman also notes that the city's first Michigan Fest will take place in the summer of 2025.
Local shops range from used bookstores and small boutiques to metaphysical shops with crystals and tarot card readers. Convenience stores are scattered around downtown streets, while the North Country Food Co-Op is known for its organic products. About 2 miles west of the city center, national grocers, big-box stores and additional eateries line both sides of Cornelia Street.
Margaret Street is filled with some new and hip spots popping up for locals and a town favorite is Koffee Kat.
Having access to many large corporate stores like Target can be a necessity for some in the Plattsburgh area.
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Plattsburgh City School District
The Plattsburgh City School District scores an overall B-plus from Niche. The district enrolls around 2,000 students across three elementary schools, one middle and one high school. The city is considered a walking district, so there is no scheduled school bus service. Seton Catholic Central School is the city’s only private school and serves pre-kindergarteners through twelfth graders.
Plattsburgh High School has 552 students and a B+ on Niche.
Seton Catholic School is the only private school located within Plattsburgh.
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60 miles to Montreal
Plattsburgh is a compact, walkable city with ample sidewalks. Clinton County Public Transit bus routes wind around town, connecting residents to surrounding communities such as Champlain, Keeseville, Ellenburg and Lyon Mountain. UVM Health Network - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital is centrally located within the city, while Plattsburgh International Airport is nearby. Interstate 87 borders Plattsburgh to the west, leading about 60 miles north to Montreal and 160 miles south to Albany. Burlington, Vermont, is the second-largest nearby city, about 30 miles east via a combination of U.S. Route 2 and the Cumberland Head-Grand Isle Ferry or 80 miles away via I-87 and I-89.
Year-round considerations
Plattsburgh experiences all four seasons, with warm and humid summers and cold winters. With its proximity to the Canadian border, the average yearly snowfall hovers around 63 inches. Low-lying areas near the Saranac River are prone to occasional flooding.
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, property crimes increased by around 10% between 2022 and 2023, while violent crimes increased by nearly 44% within the same period. The city’s property and violent crime rates fluctuate, sometimes trending higher or lower than the national average.
This updated City home is waiting for you to move in! Spacious and bright living room! Beautifully refinished hardwood floors in living room and 1st floor bedrooms show off the charm of this home. Completely remodeled kitchen and bathroom. Kitchen features stainless steel appliances, new countertops and new laminate flooring. The finished attic offers a den for more living space and a third
Don't miss out on this newly remodeled 3 bed/2 bath home located in the Beekmantown School District and minutes away from the city of Plattsburgh. The newly remodeled kitchen features soft close shaker style cabinets with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances. New laminate flooring can be found throughout the kitchen, living room and all three bedrooms. New waterproof Smart Core
This home has the square footage you have been looking for! The massive living room, with cozy wood burning fireplace, fits all of your furniture and then some! The sunny kitchen offers tons of storage with plenty of cabinet space, a pantry, and a kitchen island that has power and additional drawer space. Entertaining is a breeze with an open concept throughout the living room, dining room, and
Fully furnished private bedroom & private bath with shared kitchen and dining space. Includes all utilities, heat, Wi-Fi and Basic Cable TV. We are close to local shopping, Major Employers and SUNY. Perfect place for those working, relocating, vacationing or going to College in Plattsburgh, New York. Rent 1-bedroom or the entire 4-bedroom suite with private bathrooms. Leases start as low as
A beautiful newly renovated 2 bed, 1.5 bath, 1930's era side by side duplex centrally located in the City of Plattsburgh. Situated across from UVM-CVPH (hospital) with easy access to restaurants, grocery stores, Lake Champlain, etc.Features hardwood floors, new kitchen with appliances, fireplace, front loaded washer/dryer on main floor, pool side patio, gazebo and flower gardens to enjoy.
Broad Street Commons in Plattsburgh offers updated student & non-student living conveniently located within walking distance to the SUNY campus, stores, restaurants, bars, and more. Our multi-level living has elevators for your convenience, in addition we strive to create a comfortable home-like feel with a nice separation of personal and roommate-shared spaces. Bring your own roommates or we'll
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Average Home Value
Source: Public RecordsDisclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
