Van Buren offers suburban living near Syracuse
Bordered by the Seneca River on the north, Van Buren is a suburban community 10 miles outside of Syracuse in Central New York’s Onondaga County. Known for its residential atmosphere, the town is home to many pockets of neighborhood, subdivision communities and small clusters of country properties. The Seneca River, well-maintained public parks and seasonal sports programs provide locals with an active recreation scene, while nearby highways and surrounding cities provide easy access to urban amenities. “It’s a family-friendly suburb,” says Ryan Millard, real estate professional with over five years of experience at Coldwell Banker Prime Properties. “It has a great school district … and people have an easy commute to Syracuse.”
Van Buren has a broad range of home selections, from waterfront to new
With tree-lined streets and a forested backdrop, Van Buren has a rural-suburban setting with a mix of established neighborhoods, newer developments and country properties scattered throughout the more remote areas. The housing market has a diverse mix of architectural styles that span from the 1800s to the present day. Common styles range from historical cottages and colonials to modern ranch-style builds and New Traditional subdivision homes. Residences closer to the village of Baldwinsville often sit on quarter-acre to acre lots, while country homes can have bigger parcels that create a sense of seclusion. “All of Central New York is rapidly growing, and the town has lots of housing options, from townhouses to condos and new builds,” Millard says. Most single-family homes go between $130,000 and $500,000, while waterfront properties on the river start around $550,000 and can top at around $1 million. Condos and townhouses are in the $100,000 to $250,000 range.
Parks, waterways and trails offer year-round recreation in town
Community parks and recreation programs provide residents with year-round outdoor opportunities. Van Buren Central Park features extensive sports facilities, a seasonal swimming pool and a fishing pond. Several miles north, Baldwinsville Community Park provides access to the Seneca River, which is popular for kayaking. Running parallel to the river, the 17-mile Erie Canalway Trail runs from Amsterdam to Schenectady, providing scenic walking and biking routes along the riverfront. For boating or sailing, residents can head to Onondaga Lake, which links to the Seneca River and has several marinas and a yacht club. Hikers often go to Beaver Lake Nature Center, which has a 9-mile trail network and a glacial lake. “Everyone goes there for the trails,” Millard says. In the winter months, the lake offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. For youth sports or fitness classes, Van Buren’s Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide range of seasonal programs and sports leagues.
Public schools that serve Van Buren
The town is served by several school systems, including Baldwinsville Central School District. Students can start out at Van Buren Elementary School, which has a B grade from Niche. Donald S. Ray Middle School rates a B-plus. Theodore R. Durgee Junior High School covers eighth and ninth grades and earns a B. Charles W. Baker High School has a B-plus and offers Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses, as well as courses for engineering and technology.
Shopping and dining options around the Erie Canal and the Seneca River
Several restaurants are by the Erie Canalway along the Seneca River. Angry Smokehouse has barbeque and live music on weekends, and Olive's Eatery serves upscale comfort food with locally-sourced ingredients. Grocery options include Aldi and Tops Friendly Markets, and there's a Walmart about 5 miles south in Camillus.
Annual events give the town year-round festivity
The village of Baldwinsville has several community events throughout the year, including an annual tree lighting ceremony, featuring a parade and an afterparty with live music. The annual Seneca River Days is a summertime fundraising event for the community; there's a family festival with crafts and games, live entertainment and fireworks. The Baldwinsville Center for the Arts also organizes an arts festival, and fun activities like ghost walks for Halloween.
Distance to Syracuse and the city's airport and hospitals
Interstates 690 and 90 pass through the area, providing connections to the rest of Central New York. Syracuse is about 10 miles southeast of town, as are Syracuse Hancock International Airport and medical centers like St. Joseph’s Health Hospital.
![Greg Dunbar]()
Photography Contributed By
Greg Dunbar
