Rural living with farms and lakes in Scipio
Scipio, 11 miles south of Auburn, is a bucolic town in the Finger Lakes offering farmland and rural seclusion. "It's between Owasco Lake and Cayuga Lake," says Gerald Dudek, an associate real estate broker at Riordan Realty with over seven years of experience. "It's just a nice rural area." Shopping and dining are limited here, but a handful of farmstands are peppered around town. A few churches are in the community, too, including the non-denominational Scipio Community Church, over 200 years old. Trips to Auburn for essentials are part of the routine, and Ithaca is about 27 miles away with more options.
Rural retreats and waterfront homes with diverse architecture
Scipio offers a mix of housing styles, from historic farmhouses and Colonial Revivals to manufactured and ranch-style homes. "There are all kinds [of homes]," Dudek says. Many listings are from the late 20th-century, but construction spans from the 1800s to today. Newer homes may have attached garages, but detached garages and uncovered driveways are more common throughout Scipio. Many homes sit along tree-lined state Route 34; some are close together in hamlets like Scipio Center, while others are set back with acres of privacy. Waterfront homes on Owasco Lake are especially sought after for their views and desirable features, like private docks and decks. Prices generally range from $200,000 to $500,000, with larger properties and lakefront homes reaching up to $1 million.
Scholarships and concurrent enrollment opportunities
Scipio is part of the Southern Cayuga Central School District, which is rated C-plus overall by Niche. Kids in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade may start at the B-rated Emily Howland Elementary before moving to the C-plus-rated Southern Cayuga Junior/Senior High for seventh through 12th grade. The Southern Cayuga Scholarship Foundation provides financial aid to students and graduates with a record of academic success and community service. Southern Cayuga High is also part of the Cayuga Advantage Program, which allows teens to take concurrent enrollment courses for credit at Cayuga Community College with no additional charge.
Fishing, farmland and the Finger Lakes
Much of Scipio is rural farmland with small creeks and ravines meandering throughout, like Big Salmon Creek — a popular fishing spot for largemouth bass and rainbow trout. At the Salmon Creek Sportsmen's Club, there's a range for trap and skeet shooting.
Owasco Lake borders the town, and Cayuga Lake is about 8 miles away. "You'll find launches all around the lakes," Dudek says. "Most of them are public; some you pay a little fee, but you know, it helps with the upkeep." Dudek recommends Long Point State Park, 11 miles away, for a day out by Cayuga Lake. "That's a very nice smooth stone beach," he says. "They have little shale stones and a very nice swimming area." The 300-acre green space offers nearly a dozen tree-lined hiking trails to explore, and in the winter, there's snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The park is also home to many native birds, including yellow-rumped warblers and green-winged teals.
Dairy farms and Auburn's dining scene
Aside from a few workshops and contractors, there isn't much commercial activity in Scipio. A few dairy farms are in town, including The Martins, Allen Farms and Vans Ridge Dairy. Dugans County Grill is a laid-back diner with homestyle brunch favorites, like Texas French toast and blueberry pancake stacks. "There are a couple of rural stores not too far from there," Dudek says. "You can get gasoline [and] groceries." Wilcox General Store, 6 miles away in King Ferry, has pantry basics.
In Auburn, groceries are available at Wegmans, and locally sourced produce is available at the Auburn Farmers Co-op Market. Moro's Table has a farm-to-table menu with global flavors, from buttermilk-fried chicken and hand-rolled sushi to apple empanadas and freshly baked madeleines. Nearby, Parker's Grille serves comfort food classics, like the Ultimate Grilled Cheese with three kinds of cheese, avocado, tomato and four strips of bacon on sourdough bread. Across the street, Shep's Brewing offers locally brewed beer with occasional live music.
Festivals of all kinds in Cayuga County
While there aren't many Scipio-specific events, residents here participate in Cayuga County celebrations. "There's always something," Dudek says. "They have a Sauerkraut Festival, a Wheat Harvest Festival, a Potato Festival — for God's sake, they had a Chicken Wing Festival at one point." The Wheat Harvest Festival is held during August in Genoa, about 9 miles away. The event celebrates the area's agricultural community with fun traditions, like the parade through town with antique cars, tractors and colorful floats.
State Route 34 and the nearest hospital and airport
Scipio is car-dependent. State Route 34 passes through the town, providing a direct route to Auburn and Ithaca. Auburn Community Hospital is about 12 miles away, and Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is a 34-mile drive.
