Syracuse, New York is a friendly, vibrant city located in the central part of the state, in the picturesque Finger Lakes Region. It’s home to Syracuse University and several other excellent schools, many employers and industries, plenty of beautiful natural outdoor spaces, and much to see and do. Even better, it has a smaller, yet thriving LGBTQ population that's an important and valued part of its community. Without a doubt, Syracuse would truly make a wonderful place to call home.
A Look at Syracuse's History
The modern-day history of Syracuse began in the early 1800s when it was founded and named after a city in Italy that had a similar geographic appearance. Initially only a small city, it quickly grew and became well-established as the heart of the upstate region of New York with a system of railroads and canals and roadways extending in every direction. It was also an important center of the salt industry which drew many settlers and other industries to the area. The area continued to grow and became not only an important center of industry but also an important center of education with the founding of Syracuse University. Today, Syracuse remains a city known for its excellent educational opportunities, thriving industries, and friendly, welcoming people.
A Few Fun Facts About Syracuse
Read more fun facts about Syracuse here.
Syracuse’s LGBTQ Community
Syracuse is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Syracuse is the Syracuse area’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
What's the Weather Like in Syracuse?
Those who live in Syracuse can expect to enjoy all four distinct seasons each year. Throughout the year, temperatures can range from low temperatures of around 15ºF in January to high temperatures of around 81ºF in July. Winters in Syracuse can be quite cold and snowy – in fact, the area receives 108 inches of snow each year on average. Summers can be hot and humid, while Spring and Fall are typically mild and pleasant times to enjoy the outdoors, with Spring promising beautiful blooming flowers, and fall bringing brightly colored leaves. The area receives an average of 41 inches of rainfall each year.
Can’t-Miss Events in Syracuse
The goal of Central New York Pride, or CNY Pride for short, is to celebrate, empower, and encourage the LGBTQ community in the Central New York area. With parades, parties, family-friendly activities, and other ways to celebrate and connect to the community, it's one event that you won't want to miss!
The Best Neighborhoods in Syracuse
The LGBTQ community in Syracuse is sprinkled throughout the city, which means that there are many wonderful places to choose from.
One of the most popular LGBTQ neighborhoods in Syracuse is Hawley-Green. This very walkable, welcoming neighborhood is characterized by gorgeous 19th-century homes in a variety of price ranges. This is a triangular-shaped neighborhood that is bordered by James and Lodi streets and Burnett. Its characteristic 19th-century homes are painted in cheerful hues of green, blue, and orange. There are quite often community activities and events in the neighborhood, and residents are generally friendly and welcoming. It’s also a very affordable neighborhood, with a current median list price of around $95,000.
Another of the most sought-after and gay-friendly neighborhoods to live in is the Sedgwick-Highland-James Preservation District. This is one of those neighborhoods where it seems that time has stood still. Originally it was an 80-acre farm. These streets here have huge houses that date back at least 100 years or more. The area has tree-lined streets, friendly residents, and is close to much to see and do. The current median list price of homes for sale in this neighborhood is approximately $130,000.
Arts and Entertainment
The Everson Museum of Art is a major art museum in the area offering more than 11,000 amazing and inspiring pieces of art. With a particular focus on American art, it’s a wonderful place to spend the day learning, having fun, and feeling inspired.
The Syracuse Stage is known as the place for live theater in the city. Since 1974, the stage has performed a wide variety of shows, all of them excellent, and has been the site for the premiere of many shows, performed for the first time not only on the East Coast but also in the world. The theatre company serves thousands of patrons each season, and always puts on a wonderful selection of shows. Don't miss the chance to enjoy a performance yourself!
Parks and Recreation
The Beaver Lake Nature Center is only a 15-minute drive outside of downtown but feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This peaceful and beautiful area offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy more than 200 species of birds and more than 800 varieties of plants, as well as a stunning 200-acre glacier lake, and many spots for hiking, picnicking, and relaxing.
Onondaga Lake Park is a beautiful park often referred to as the “Central Park of Central New York“. The park offers an 8-mile greenway full of wonderful trails, beautiful views of the lake, skating parks, dog parks, places for picnicking, and plenty of opportunities for games, hiking, biking, and more. It's the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful Syracuse day.
Syracuse Nightlife
Located in the heart of the city, Wunderbar is one of the most popular LGBTQ bars in the city. It offers a lively dance floor, frequent theme nights, big crowds, strong drinks, and plenty of opportunities to have fun.
Trexx is a popular and energetic nightspot offering a dance floor, great music, a welcoming lounge area, plenty of pool tables, and friendly crowds. It’s a great spot to put on your list for a night out in Syracuse.
Contact a Syracuse Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Syracuse, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Syracuse, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Syracuse gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
