Solon offers rural charm and more affordable home prices
Solon has quiet, peaceful living surrounded by crop fields, woods and mountains. "It's a very slow-paced, farm-oriented community," says local Realtor Weslie "Wally" VanVoorhis with Exit Realty Front and Center. The spacious area, settled in 1794, offers a rural lifestyle, providing the seclusion buyers want when moving to Chenango County. VanVoorhis mentions that its budget-friendly nature is another perk of living in Solon, home to just around 1,000 residents. "Because we're not in New York City, there are a lot of decent homes that you can get into for an affordable price," he says. Even with the remote, country feel of Solon, it's a short drive to Cortland and Interstate 81, so residents can commute and get amenities with convenience.
Older homes and cottages mix with ranch and split-level styles
Houses in Solon are concentrated along New York State Route 41, Telephone Road and North Tower Road. These are interspersed with verdant farmland and hardwood forests along rolling hills. Buyers will primarily find farmhouse-style, Victorian-style and Colonial homes. There are also some ranch-style, manufactured homes and split-levels in the area. Homes offer residents plenty of room to spread out for farming or homesteading. "Solon has a lot of open space; there are a lot of farms, and even cottages for fishing and hunting," VanVoorhis says. "And there are decent homes that you can get for an affordable price, like a three-bedroom house with land for about $180,000." Depending on the acreage, homes here are between $40,000 and $230,000.
McGraw Central offers basic academics and extracurriculars
McGraw Central School District serves over 500 students and earns an overall C rating from Niche. C-rated McGraw Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, and C-rated McGraw Secondary serves sixth through twelfth grades. Secondary students may participate in extracurricular activities, including a foreign language club, an art club and a concert band.
Solon has easy access to lakes, trails and seasonal activities
The abundance of state forests surrounding Solon makes it convenient for residents to enjoy all four seasons. "It's the kind of place where you just find a pond or lake, put out a boat and go fishing," VanVoorhis says. There are several within 5 miles of the community, including Baker School House State Forest. Visitors can do various activities, from hunting and trapping to camping and hiking. Taylor Valley State Forest also offers fishing and winter activities like snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Solon is also about 30 miles from the southern end of Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. The lake is popular for fishing, swimming and paddling.
Local amenities are limited but nearby cities fill the gap
Solon has a small town center, consisting of a town hall and the Hathaway House. The Colonial-era building and surrounding land now serve as a popular wedding venue. Cortland is where residents may grab their amenities. There are local and chain restaurants, plus an ALDI and a Walmart. Nearby Interstate 81 brings residents to larger communities like Syracuse and Binghamton, about 40 miles away. They feature big box stores, and more dining, retail and entertainment.
Route 41 connects Solon to hospitals, airports and I-81
Solon sits along New York State Route 41, connecting to nearby Cortland, about 8 miles away. Cortland is home to the nearest hospital, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. This is also where residents may access Interstate 81 and Syracuse's Syracuse Hancock International Airport, 50 miles away. State Route 13 in Cortland leads to Ithaca and the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport. Solon has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
