Preble offers skiing, schools and easy access to I-81
The rural community of Preble offers outdoor activities and homestead living. "That's where I grew up skiing," says Realtor Loueen Rosenbush with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. "It's a really small community, but it's close to a ski resort and is close to desirable schools." The skiing hub Rosenbush mentions is Song Mountain Resort, an anchor of the area. The community of around 1,300 residents sits on Interstate 81, making it desirable for those seeking to commute but live in a pastoral community like Preble.
Land parcels from two to 50 acres attract rural homebuyers
In the rural reaches of Cortland County, Preble is surrounded by mountains, emerald and gold crop fields and patches of oak and hemlock forest. Homes in Craftsman-style, Victorian-style and ranch-style cluster around the town's main road. Houses away from the heart of Preble dot the countryside, offering ample land and privacy. "There are many farms and older farmhouses here in the area," says Rosenbush. This is seen in the land available for farming and homesteading, with some options around waterways like Song Lake. Land typically ranges between two and 50 acres. Homes here have a median sale price of $161,000.
Preble is split between Tully and Homer school districts
Most of Preble is served by the Tully Central School District, which has about 765 students and earns an overall B-minus rating from Niche. Students south of the Slab City area attend the B-plus-rated Homer Central School District. Tully Elementary scores a B-minus, and Tully Junior-Senior High has a C-plus. High schoolers can participate in activities like the academic decathlon, art club and Shakespeare club.
Dwyer Park features a lake, trails and summer performances
Preble Park offers a broad, grassy lawn against a mountain backdrop in town. There are athletic fields, a playground and several picnic areas. Preble is close to one of Cortland County's premier recreation areas, Dwyer Memorial Park. The green space features a lake with a boat ramp, fishing area, walking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds and a seasonal wade pool. Dwyer also features a pavilion where the Cortland Repertory Theatre hosts performances from June to August. Numerous state forests also surround Preble, offering abundant hiking opportunities. Bear Swamp State Forest has a creek where visitors can paddle and fish. An extensive trail system is also available for cross-country skiing, hiking, biking and horseback riding. Another popular option is Morgan Hill State Forest, which offers a multi-use trail system, hunting, trapping and primitive camping.
Churches and tavern dining anchor Preble’s modest town center
Preble is a modest area that offers churches and a few municipal offices. Locals may gather at Mountain View Restaurant, a classic tavern serving pizza, wings and other pub grub. The community is close to Cortland, which offers grocery options like Walmart, plus more dining, retail and events.
Interstate 81 links Preble to Cortland and Syracuse
Interstate 81, U.S. Highway 11 and New York State Route 281 all pass through Preble. The access to these major thoroughfares connects Preble to Cortland, 10 miles south. Cortland is also home to the nearest hospital, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. I-81 also travels north to Syracuse, around 25 miles away. Syracuse is home to one of the closest airports, Syracuse Hancock International. Another option is Ithaca Tompkins International, about 30 miles from Preble. The community has a one out of 10 CAP Index Crime Score, compared to the national score of four out of 10.
