A charmed life in quiet, idyllic Waverly
Just above the New York–Pennsylvania border, Waverly is a picturesque village with a charming commercial district, scenic views and historic homes priced below the national median. The area appeals to buyers seeking both privacy and a welcoming community, says Michele Wood, clerk-treasurer of Waverly. Many residents commute to Binghamton, 41 miles away.
“We have a pickleball court. There are New York State Trails, a waterfall,” Wood says. Village parks host annual events such as the Waverly Fall Fest, while mom-and-pop businesses line Broad Street. “You can get all the essentials,” she says.
Historic homes with Victorian influences
Waverly’s single-family homes are eclectic, spanning a broad mix of architectural styles. Most are bungalows or Victorian-inspired, though ranches, Greek Revivals and Tudor Revivals are also available — many date from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. “We don’t really have a historic district, but a lot of the homes are old,” Wood says.
Victorian-inspired houses often feature lattice skirting, steep gables and covered porches with decorative woodwork. Bungalows tend to be smaller and simpler in design. Residential streets are narrow, lined with sidewalks, mature trees and parallel-parked cars. A few homes sit on the outskirts of the village with acreage, offering privacy and space for outbuildings such as workshops or detached garages.
Residents are evenly split between owners and renters, and some properties have been converted into duplexes. Prices range from about $60,000 for a fixer-upper to $390,000 for a five-bedroom turnkey property, depending on size and features. The median sale price is $180,000, compared with the national median of $420,000.
Athletic and academic opportunities at Waverly High
Waverly is part of the Waverly Central School District, rated B-minus overall by Niche. Kids may start at Lincoln Street Elementary before moving to Waverly Middle — both are rated B-minus. Teens attend the B-plus-rated Waverly High, which offers dual-enrollment courses for credit at Corning Community College and Tompkins Cortland Community College. Homes of the Wolverines, Waverly High also has a successful athletics program. In 2023, the football team won the NYSPHSAA Class C State Championship.
Waterfalls and wildlife at Waverly parks
Waverly Glen Park is the village’s central gathering place, hosting community events and offering tennis courts, a playground and picnic pavilions. Shaded trails weave past a gentle waterfall and the Waverly Reservoirs, a favorite fishing spot for largemouth bass and bluegill. “A lot of people will fish in the lower reservoir,” Wood says. Those trails lead into Two Rivers State Park Recreation Area, which includes over 500 acres of dense woodland home to dozens of native birds, like white-throated sparrows and black-capped chickadees. The park is lively in warmer months with hikers and cyclists, and quiet in winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. For quick outings, East Waverly Park offers a smaller, dog-friendly space with fields and courts for baseball, soccer and basketball. Three miles away in South Waverly, Riverfront Park provides a boat launch and direct access to the Susquehanna River.
Secondhand shopping and delicious dining on Broad Street
Most of Waverly’s shops and restaurants are locally owned and clustered along Broad Street. The Grumpy Grizzly draws a morning crowd with indulgent favorites like the French Toast Iced Coffee and the S’mores Bagel. Across the street, Becky’s Diner serves a classic brunch menu, from buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup to burgers with Becky’s secret sauce.
Secondhand shoppers frequent The Red Door, a vintage shop that doubles as a cafe hangout with chess games and live music. Nearby, Broad Street Records houses thousands of vinyls to browse, and woman-owned Valley Flower Shoppe makes elegant arrangements for every occasion.
For dinner, Ay Caramba sizzles authentic Mexican fajitas, while New Hong Kong dishes out Chinese takeout staples such as orange chicken with pork-fried rice. Grocery options include Fulton Street Market for everyday essentials and Soprano’s Market for fresh bread and butcher cuts. South Waverly has additional shopping and dining, including an Aldi.
Summer concerts and holiday cheer
Waverly’s community calendar is packed with fun traditions and seasonal celebrations. Waverly Glen Park hosts the Monday Night Concert Series from June through August with live folk, blues and indie music. The Waverly Fall Fest transforms Waverly East Park into an open-air marketplace with artisan crafts, homemade treats and family-friendly activities like pumpkin picking and face painting. In December, Tinsel ‘n’ Lights brings holiday cheer to Broad Street with visits from Santa, hot chocolate and the annual Window Decorating Contest. “Tinsel ‘n’ Lights is usually the biggest hit,” Wood says. “We have horse-and-buggy rides, ice carving and the shops will be open.”
Commuter routes and the nearest hospital and airport
Residents can walk or bike in Waverly. C-Tran buses stop in Waverly, but residents generally drive when leaving the village. State Route 34 grants access to Ithaca, 35 miles away, and Interstate 86 provides a direct route to Binghamton. Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital is 3 miles away in South Waverly, and Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is a 40-mile drive.
