New York is often defined by New York City, but New York extends far beyond Manhattan. New York is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the country, with beautiful natural scenery stretching from Long Island to Niagara Falls. Several regions within New York stand out as gorgeous settings that are incredibly desirable places to live. One of these regions is the Finger Lakes.
The Finger Lakes region includes eleven pristine freshwater lakes with long, narrow looks that give them their name. This region of Upstate New York is an expansive area filled with stunning scenery, stretching roughly 9,000 square miles. Many factors set the Finger Lakes apart, so let’s explore what makes this part of Upstate New York such an appealing place to live.
Natural Beauty and Outdoor Recreation
It only makes sense that a region named for its famous lakes will be a place with abundant natural beauty. The Finger Lakes area is defined by its 11 glistening lakes. Residents of this area enjoy boating, fishing, and hiking on and along these waters. Finger Lakes is also home to renowned state parks such as Letchwork State Park and natural landmarks like Taughannock Falls.
With thick forests and gorgeous waters, the Finger Lakes is a desirable setting. But it isn’t just busy in the summer. The Finger Lakes is also a region that has top-notch skiing. Bristol and Song Mountain Ski Resort are two of the many resorts in the area that make the Finger Lakes region an outdoor playground for every season.
Excellent Food, Wineries, and Breweries
If you’ve spent a long day exploring the Finger Lakes, chances are you will want to unwind with a delicious meal and some drinks. This region can certainly accommodate that need, as it is famed for its food scene and locally-produced drinks. The area is best known for its wine. The Finger Lakes is the biggest wine-producing region in New York, with more than 400 wineries surrounding the lakes. Many of these are open to the public for tours. The Finger Lakes area is also getting a reputation for breweries. The number of breweries in the area has more than doubled since 2012.
The food scene in the Finger Lakes is filled with fresh offerings from farmers’ markets or farm-to-table restaurants. Freshly-caught freshwater seafood is a popular entree, and you’ll find high-end Italian restaurants, as well as wine cellars offering wine and cheese pairings. It is an area perfect for foodies and wine enthusiasts.
Growing Cities with Affordable Options
The Finger Lakes is a beautiful area, but it isn’t purely nature that makes this an excellent place to live. There are also thriving cities in the region with emerging economies that are surprisingly affordable. Syracuse is a busy city home to more than 140,000. It has a busy food scene, excellent museums, and hosts the annual Great New York State Fair. Yet Redfin lists the median sales price in Syracuse as $157,000, far below the national average.
This isn’t an isolated circumstance in the Finger Lakes. There are numerous other examples throughout the area. Auburn is a scenic city in the heart of the Finger Lakes with easy access to beautiful bodies of water and great outdoor recreation, but Redfin reports the median sales price as about $153,000. The Finger Lakes is a highly affordable area with abundant options for buyers.
