Farms, forests and Skaneateles Lake define Scott
Scott offers rural living on the southern end of Skaneateles Lake. "It's a slower-paced area that's mostly hills and farms around the lake," says local Realtor John Aspinwall with Hage Real Estate. Settled in 1799, the community of just over 1,000 residents is one of many small Upstate New York townships surrounding larger cities like Cortland and Syracuse. "The biggest employers are dairy farms and apple orchards," Aspinwall says. "But Micron, a microchip company, is coming to Syracuse and is supposed to bring in thousands of jobs." With Interstate 81 nearby, commuting to Syracuse or other areas like Ithaca is convenient.
Scott’s housing includes 19th-century builds and farmland
Homes in Scott are spread out among the surrounding crop fields and forests of Cortland County. Many houses in the area were built between the 19th and 20th centuries and may require some upkeep. There is a small cluster of homes along Glen Haven Road and New York State Route 41, in Colonial, saltbox and farmhouse styles. Victorian-style, ranch-style and modern homes are found on lots across the surrounding countryside and Skaneateles Lake. Occasionally, plots of land are available, providing space for farming and homesteading. Prices in Scott range between $85,000 and $245,000, typically depending on the amount of land and level of updates the house needs.
Students attend B-rated schools with music and theater options
Homer Central School District serves just over 1,800 students and earns an overall B-plus rating from Niche. B-plus-rated Homer Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through second grade. B-rated Homer Intermediate houses third through fifth grade. Homer Junior High scores a B, and Homer Central High earns a B-plus. High schoolers can participate in extra-curriculars like musical theater, Science Olympiad and the Ruby Rhythms, a women's choir.
Skaneateles Lake and Bear Swamp State Forest are local favorites
The star of the community is Skaneateles Lake, about 3 miles from the heart of Scott. There is a small marina at the lake's southern end, and a small boat launch better suited for kayaks or jet skis. The launch is at Andrew R. Fuller Park, which offers picnic shelters, a basketball court and a soccer field. State forests are another major draw of the area, according to Aspinwall. Bear Swamp State Forest offers paddling, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. Nearby, High Vista Nature Preserve offers hiking and views of Skaneateles Lake. "It's also a big hunting and fishing area," Aspinwall says. "We have a lot of white-tail deer, goose and turkey. We also have a grout brook and fishing streams around the area."
Locally loved restaurant and farmers market near the lake
Scott is primarily residential but is known for being close to The Glen Haven. This locally loved restaurant overlooks Skaneateles Lake and offers comfort foods like burgers, chili and wings. They have a game night every Thursday and put football on television. The area is also home to Dave's Veggies, a roadside farmers market that sells fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. There are more dining and retail options in nearby towns. Bob's Barbecue in Homer serves smoked brisket and ribs, and Super Cream Dairy Bar serves ice cream at the drive-thru window. Cortland has an ALDI and big box stores like Walmart.
Route 41 connects residents to I-81 and nearby cities
New York State Route 41 runs north and south through Scott. The highway meets up with Interstate 81 in Homer, which connects to Cortland, 10 miles away. The Guthrie Cortland Medical Center is the nearest hospital. I-81 also connects the area to Syracuse and Syracuse Hancock International Airport, 38 miles away. Another option is Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, 30 miles away. Scott has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
