Syracuse ranks in the top 10% of "Best Places to Live" according to the latest edition of the Places Rated Almanac. Located in the geographic center of New York State, Syracuse is located in Onondaga County and joins with neighboring Oswego, Madison and Cayuga counties. The area is a combination of rolling hills, tranquil lakes and picturesque forests with the changing seasons giving way to colorful autumns. Winter snows transform the rolling hills into a perfect playground for winter sports enthusiasts who take advantage at one of the areas five major ski resorts. Syracuse's location at the crossroads of New York State puts us within only five hours of nearly every major eastern metropolitan area, including New York City, Boston, Toronto, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. For further destinations, flying to and from Syracuse is made easy by the accessibility of Hancock International Airport located just six miles north of the city.

There is much to see and do in Syracuse and the surrounding Central New York region to fit any age or preference. Whether you want to "shop 'till you drop" at Carousel Center which is also the future home of DestiNY USA a 2.5 billion dollar resort and retail complex, visit with the elephants s at the renowned Rosamond Gifford Zoo, witness a masterpiece at one of the areas 40 museums or join thousands of other impassioned fans watching NCAA Division One basketball and football at the 50,000 seat Carrier Dome, the only domed stadium in the northeast, Syracuse indeed has something for everyone.

For the outdoor lover the area features more than 50 state, county and city parks including several nature centers along with 40 golf courses, more than any other area in the Northeast. Outdoor festivals include the Renaissance Fair held every year in nearby Sterling along with locally held Jazz Fest, the NYS Rhythm and Blues festival and CNYBA Bluegrass Festival.

If your interests include Performing Arts and Culture Syracuse and its surrounding area offer 40 museums and galleries including the nationally known Everson Museum of Art and the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), New York states only IMAX-Dome theatre. Syracuse City Stage is Central New York's only professional theatre attracting talent from Broadway and beyond. Syracuse also features the Salt City Center for Performing Arts, Landmark Theatre, Syracuse Symphony, Syracuse Opera and the Syracuse Opera.

Syracuse hosts many special events including the New York State Fair, the longest running state fair in the country which annually attracts more than one million people and the New York State Special Olympics. Syracuse is also home to the Syracuse SkyChiefs, the Toronto Blue Jays AAA team as well as the Syracuse Crunch an AHL affiliate.

Ten colleges and universities serve Syracuse and its surrounding areas including Syracuse University, LeMoyne College and SUNY Upstate Medical University just to name a few. Eighteen public schools and a number of private and parochial schools make up the elementary and secondary school system with many of the schools being nationally recognized for their programs.

The median selling price of homes in 2004 for Syracuse and its surrounding counties was $98,400 making Syracuse one of the most affordable housing markets in the US. From upscale city living to suburban family homes, town homes, patio homes, waterfront or planned communities Syracuse offers it all.