Taylor offers outdoor recreation and acres of land
Hunting, hiking and cabin living define life in Taylor. "It's very rural; there's lots of state land, a lot of farms and a lot of hunting properties," says Realtor Pamela Washbon with Howard Hanna, who was born and raised in Central New York. The generational community, first developed in the mid-19th century, is centered around the outdoors, inviting relaxation and natural living. "It's slower, but you know your neighbors and you like them," Washbon says. Taylor is near Cincinnatus, where the nearest schools and quick conveniences are found. The community of just under 500 residents is also within 40 miles of cities like Cortland, Binghamton and Syracuse, where more amenities are easily within reach.
Rolling pastures and hardwood forests surround rural homes
Set against a backdrop of rolling hills, oak forests and green pastures, homes in Taylor offer quiet and refuge. The area was developed between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, a history seen in the Colonial Revival, farmhouse-style and ranch-style homes that cluster around State Route 26. Homes rarely come on the market. In recent years, only three properties have sold, at prices between about $30,000 and $340,000. Buyers will mostly find land for sale in the surrounding areas, where plots range between two and 50-plus acres, encompassing tillable pastures and hunting land with hardwood forests and beaver ponds. "I sold a hunting cabin on 100 acres at the beginning of the year," Washbon says. "Most people are buying 50 or more acres for their own hunting land."
Cincinnatus Central School serves Taylor students
Kids in Taylor may attend Cincinnatus School District, which serves 525 students and earns a C-plus rating from Niche. All grade levels share the same campus, called Cincinnatus Central School. C-rated Cincinnatus Elementary houses pre-kindergarten through grade four. Students in grades five through 12 attend the B-minus-rated Cincinnatus Junior-Senior High. Students here can participate in the school's music program, which offers band, chorus and theater, with an accompanying online program to help students learn.
Year-round activities available at nearby state forests
Numerous state forests, nature preserves and ponds surround Taylor. The Taylor Valley State Forest is popular for year-round activities like hiking, hunting and snowmobiling. The forest is also home to the Cheningo Day Use Area, where visitors can gather for cookouts and family gatherings. The Gee Brook State Forest is an option for fishing, paddling and primitive camping. In nearby Cincinnatus, residents can bring kids to the town park, which features athletic fields and play areas.
Cincinnatus and Cortland offer local amenities
Taylor doesn't offer traditional commercial amenities. However, in nearby Cincinnatus, there is a Dollar General for convenience. The Cincinnatus Home Center is the area's anchor, offering groceries, hardware supplies and a sandwich counter. "For amenities, most people go to Cortland or Norwich; they're around the same distance," Washbon says. Cortland, 20 miles away, offers a Walmart and locally owned shops and restaurants. Cortland is also where folks may go for events, like the Cortland Community Center's Holiday Light Show. Another option is Binghamton, 40 miles south, which has retail stores in the Oakdale Commons Mall and big box stores like Target and Sam's Club.
State Routes connect Taylor residents
The car-dependent community of Taylor is intersected by New York state Route 26, with 23 and 41 branching off just south of town. State Route 41 connects residents to Cortland and Interstate 81, about 4 miles west. Cortland is home to the nearest hospital, Cortland Guthrie Medical Center. There are two airport options: Ithaca Tompkins International, 40 miles away, and Syracuse Hancock International, 50 miles from Taylor. The community has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
