Small-town charm and modern convenience in Union Township
Eight miles west of Binghamton, Union Township offers quiet neighborhoods, lively parks and a strong sense of community. “You’re going to get everything you want,” says Leonard Perfetti, town clerk and longtime resident. Residents enjoy locally owned shops, easy access to trails and waterways and seasonal celebrations that bring the town together. “The community is doing very well," Perfetti says.
Historic homes, modern builds and multifamily dwellings
Union Township’s housing market is thriving. “The town is pretty full of homes,” Perfetti says. “If you live in town, houses are closer together. If you get outside, maybe homes are on a half-acre or an acre.” Construction spans from the mid-19th century through the present day, though most listings date to the mid- to late 20th century.
Homes built over the past 50 years are generally in planned subdivisions with manicured lawns and wide roads in the Highland Park area. Ranch-style and split-level homes are typical, often with mixed-material exteriors, attached garages and the occasional covered porch. Older homes, like those in Endicott, are set closer together along narrow streets lined with sidewalks and parallel-parked cars. Many of these homes have vintage charm with colonial- or Craftsman-inspired details, like shiplap siding, louvered shutters and decorative pediments. Homes on the outskirts of town provide privacy and space for outbuildings. Residents are roughly split between owners and renters, with many homes being converted into duplexes.
Prices generally range from $100,000 to $600,000, but smaller homes and fixer-uppers list between $30,000 and $100,000. Both ranges depend on size and features.
Athletic and academic opportunities at Union-Endicott High
Union Township is part of multiple school districts, including the Union-Endicott Central School District, which Niche rates B overall. Kids can start at the B-minus-rated George F. Johnson Elementary before moving to the B-rated Jennie F. Snapp Middle. The B-rated Union-Endicott High offers an early college program in partnership with SUNY Broome Community College, allowing seniors to take courses on the BCC campus. The high school also has a successful athletics department, with the girls’ volleyball team winning the Class AA Section IV championship in 2024. Private schools for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade include The Crescent Academy and St. James School.
Exploring IBM Glen, fishing in Nanticoke Creek
Union Township’s green spaces are popular year-round. Highland Park is a centerpiece, featuring a swimming pool, tennis courts and the historic early-20th-century Highland Park Carousel. Glendale Park hosts Union Endicott Little League games and provides access to Nanticoke Creek, stocked with brown trout and smallmouth bass. IBM Glen is another highlight, with dog-friendly, tree-lined hiking trails that wind past gentle streams and striking waterfalls. Grippen Park stretches along the Susquehanna River with a boat launch and a field house. Nearby, the public En-Joie Golf Club offers 18 holes with manicured greens.
Coffee, steak and spiedies along Main Street
Main Street is lined with locally owned shops and restaurants that give the community a sense of warmth and authenticity. Batch Coffee serves specialty drinks such as the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte, while The Union Diner offers hearty staples. A few doors down, Lupo’s Char-Pit has long been a landmark for its spiedie sandwiches. “That’s a big thing here,” Perfetti says. “You take lamb, chicken, pork or beef, marinate it in an Italian dressing, cook it on a grill and put it on a roll.” Boutiques such as Yarns N’ More, Charlie Blonde’s Antiques and Babcock Bicycles add to Main Street’s cozy charm, inviting shoppers to browse at their own pace. For a refined night out, McCoy’s Chophouse offers gourmet entrees like Wagyu strip and Chilean sea bass in an intimate setting. Nearby, The Cider Mill has been pressing apples into cider, donuts and pies for nearly a century. The historic mill also hosts tours and doubles as a playhouse with a full season of theatrical performances. Farther out along Vestal Parkway, national chains, big-box retailers and grocery stores include Outback Steakhouse, Best Buy and Weis Markets.
Celebrating the holidays at Highland Park
The July 4th Extravaganza is Union Township’s most popular event. “It starts off every year at noon with a chicken barbecue run by the Endwell Fire Department,” Perfetti says. “Plenty of vendors, bands playing in the afternoon.” The celebration is capped off with a striking fireworks display synchronized to music. “Thousands and thousands of people come from all over to see that display,” Perfetti says. In December, Santa comes to town for Christmas in the Park, which includes pony rides and a tree lighting ceremony.
Walk, bike and drive in Union Township
Union Township is generally walkable. Thoroughfares, like Watson Boulevard, are bike-friendly and dotted with Broome County Transit bus stops. State Route 17 provides a direct route to Binghamton. “There’s not a lot of traffic,” Perfetti says. UHS Wilson Medical Center is within the town, and Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is a 45-mile drive.
