Verona offers a range of atmospheres in Oneida County
From homes tucked away on multiple green acres to lakeside properties near the beach, the Verona area encompasses a variety of central New York settings. This wide-ranging slice of Oneida County is rustic at its core, but it extends north toward New York’s largest lake, where an assortment of restaurants and an amusement park sit just off the shore. It’s also close to amenities in cities like Rome . “It’s pretty rural out there. But it’s beautiful countryside,” says Spencer Ingmire, a local Realtor at Coldwell Banker Faith Properties who lives in the nearby city of Oneida. “There’s a lot of corn, there’s a lot of farms. It gives you a nice sense of not being in a hustle area.”
Local beach is a regional hub for outdoor time
The northwest corner of this community is right across the Erie Canal from Sylvan Beach. A resort village, Sylvan Beach features 4,700 feet of sandy shoreline by Oneida Lake. Oneida is the largest lake entirely within the state of New York, spanning approximately 51,000 acres, and is open to swimming, fishing and boating. “Sylvan Beach is kind of the entry point for people that live in Utica , Rome, Verona, all the surrounding cities,” Ingmire says. Verona Beach State Park, on the opposite side of the canal, offers 13 miles of trails, with spots to walk by the water. Paths in the park welcome snowmobilers and cross-country skiers during the winter, and the space also features a playground and a splash pad. Verona Town Park includes a playground and a ball field, and provides access to a portion of the 750-mile Empire State Trail.
Houses come with varying views
Verona has homes dating back to the mid-1800s and others built within the last quarter-century. Most line lengthy country roads, and are secluded from neighbors on spacious lots. The Verona Beach area has homes that are closer together, but that are also footsteps from Oneida Lake. Ranch and colonial are common styles across Verona. Single-family homes in Verona that require work may sell for anywhere from $30,000 to $120,000, but most properties, including those near the lake, typically sell for $120,000 to $480,000. Manufactured homes in the area often range from $50,000 to $80,000.
Seasonal events include fireworks, music and Santa
Verona hosts an annual Community Day at its town hall in July, featuring vendors and a car show. The Verona Santa Parade is a December tradition, when a fire truck with Santa aboard makes its way through several streets around the community. Residents are close to more events in nearby communities, too, including the city of Sherrill . Sherrill has an annual Fall Fest in September, for example, which Ingmire says is very popular. Held at Reilly-Mumford Park, Fall Fest features fireworks and live music.
Lakeside village is filled with dining and entertainment
Many of the restaurants in the Verona area are concentrated within the waterside community of Sylvan Beach. Main Street in Sylvan Beach is lined with an assortment of options. Eddie’s and sister restaurant Harpoon Eddie’s are two of the staples — Eddie’s dates to 1934 and its owners opened Harpoon Eddie’s right beside the beach in 1984. “Eddie’s is more of the café style,” Ingmire says. “Harpoon Eddie’s is your younger crowd who wants to go for some live music and some good seafood.” Cinco de Mayo is a popular Mexican restaurant just down the street. The Sylvan Beach Amusement Park is also by the water, offering a roller coaster, bumper boats, a Tilt-A-Whirl and other rides. “It offers a very nostalgic, 1970s vibe,” Ingmire says. “There’s a casino, The Lake House, there where you can get some good food and, if you’re into gambling, you can gamble. And you can stay the night. There’s really a lot of ice cream spots, food spots. It’s kind of a popping place.” Verona has a DG Market for groceries and other household needs. People can also head to places like Rome for more options, including Walmart and Lowe’s.
School activities touch on technology, recreation and media
Most of this community is within the Vernon Verona Sherrill Central Schools district, which gets a B grade from Niche, though a northwest portion is part of the C-plus-rated Oneida City School District. Students in the VVS Central district may start at the C-plus-rated J.D. George Elementary, where they can take part in anchoring the school’s daily announcement videos. VVS Middle gets a C grade and offers robotics and ski and snowboard clubs. Extracurricular activities at B-rated VVS High include The Red Press, a monthly student publication.
Medical care and air travel are relatively close
Drivers in Verona can use New York state Route 365 for drives toward Rome, where they can access facilities like the Rome Health hospital, about 10 miles away. The medical center has over 200 beds, and a 24-hour emergency department. Interstate 90 is a connection to the city of Syracuse . The Syracuse Hancock International Airport is a 35-mile trip and has nonstop flights to 25 cities.
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
