South Waverly is the smallest borough in the Valley
Resting on the New York state line, South Waverly is a small borough in a Northeastern Pennsylvania region known as the Valley. The enclave’s gridded streets blend into the neighboring communities of Sayre and Athens. “You can go from one borough to the next without realizing it,” says Raul Azpiazu , a Realtor with Howard Hanna At Home Realty who’s been serving the region for 20 years. “It could be one big city, but it’s divided into three boroughs.” South Waverly is the smallest of these enclaves, offering a truly tight-knit atmosphere with only about 1,000 residents. “Here you know everybody,” Azpiazu says. Established in 1878, South Waverly was initially an industrial extension of Waverly, New York. Today, the borough is primarily residential, attracting commuters, families and hospital workers drawn to its proximity to highways, downtown Sayre and Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital.
A mix of historic homes on the New York state line
South Waverly offers a variety of single-family homes, mostly built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These Victorians, Upright-and-Wing houses, ranch-style homes, bungalows and cottages rest on level lots that often exceed a third of an acre. Prices range from $95,000 to $290,000. Buyers should note that properties close to U.S. Route 220 and Interstate 86 may be impacted by highway noise. Also, according to FEMA flood maps, properties along and near Dry Brook are in flood-hazard areas.
Shopping and dining options in South Waverly and beyond
A few local businesses call South Waverly home. Banana Curve Diner serves a homestyle breakfast, while The Honey Bean Bakery & Coffee Shop is a morning stop for coffee and pastries. Bluestone Brewing Co. welcomes a post-work crowd for craft beers and pub fare. Tops Friendly Market and Aldi are close by for grocery runs. National retailers line Elmira Street in Athens. Sayre offers boutique shopping in its historic downtown area, which is also home to Sayre Theatre, which screens first-run movies and hosts theatrical productions. Name-brand stores fill Arnot Mall, about 24 miles away in Horseheads , New York.
The Sayre Area School District serves South Waverly students
The Sayre Area School District serves South Waverly and receives a C overall rating from Niche. The district has two schools and an online academy. Prekindergarten through sixth-grade students can attend H. Austin Snyder Elementary, which earns a C-plus. Sayre High gets a C. The school’s long-running yearbook, “Sayrenade,” which dates to 1913.
Outdoor recreation, from community parks to protected land
Richard L. Bentley Community Park is South Waverly’s sole green space. Dedicated in 2017, the park, next to the borough’s government building, features a large playground, a picnic shelter and a walking track that loops around an open field. More parks dot the Valley, from Sayre’s Riverfront Park along the Susquehanna River to Athens’ Round Top Park Recreation Area, which is popular for its scenic overlook with swinging benches and a fishing pond. Boaters can launch their vessels into the Chemung River at Tozers Landing, and golfers can enjoy views of the surrounding landscape while taking on Shepard Hills Country Club’s public 18-hole course. A waterfall attracts hikers to the Two Rivers State Park Recreation Area, less than 3 miles from the borough.
Public and private transportation in Bradford County
The Valley is primarily car dependent. “To live in Bradford County, you need a vehicle,” Azpiazu says. Commuters have access to two major highways. “Interstate 86 goes up into the Southern Tier of New York, all the way out to the Erie. To the east, you’ll eventually merge onto Route 17 to go down to New York City,” Azpiazu says. “U.S. Route 220 bisects the county north-to-south.” BeST Transit provides bus and van rides around the region to places such as Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, a top employer. Elmira Corning Regional Airport offers the closest commercial flights, about 27 miles away.
