Ithaca, NY Reviews


32 Reviews



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What BestPlaces Users Say about Ithaca

Ithaca, New York is a picturesque city located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Home to Cornell University and Ithaca College, the city has a vibrant and diverse community. With a population of around 31,000, Ithaca offers a small-town feel with big-city amenities. However, like any other place, living in Ithaca has its own pros and cons. In this summary, we will take a look at what the residents of Ithaca have to say about their experience living in this unique city.

From the many user reviews on BestPlaces.net, it is clear that Ithaca has a lot to offer to its residents. According to Janet, "Ithaca is a beautiful city with a strong community spirit. The natural surroundings and outdoor activities make it a perfect place to live for nature lovers." Similarly, Steve mentions, "The quality of life in Ithaca is unbeatable. The city has a strong sense of community and there is always something to do, whether it's hiking in the gorges or attending a local festival." These reviews highlight the natural beauty and community spirit that are some of the key features of Ithaca.

However, some reviewers also point out the high cost of living in Ithaca. As Sharon puts it, "Living in Ithaca can be expensive, especially for students and young professionals. The housing market is competitive and the cost of living is higher compared to other cities in the region." Another user, John, echoes this sentiment by saying, "Ithaca is a great place to live, but it can be quite expensive. Be prepared to pay a premium for housing and other basic necessities." These reviews serve as a reminder that while Ithaca may have a lot to offer, it comes at a price.

In terms of the job market, opinions vary among the reviewers. While some, like Emily, have found success in their careers in Ithaca, stating "I have a great job in Ithaca and I am happy with my career growth here," others have a different experience. As Matthew puts it, "The job market in Ithaca is limited and it can be difficult to find a good-paying job. Many people have to commute to neighboring cities for work." These reviews highlight the mixed opinions about the job market in Ithaca.

Overall, the user reviews about living in Ithaca paint a positive picture of the city, with its scenic beauty, sense of community, and quality of life being highly praised. However, the high cost of living and limited job market are factors to consider for those looking to move to Ithaca. As with any place, it ultimately comes down to individual preferences and priorities.

 based on 32 Reviews
Get to know Ithaca with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Ithaca

Downtown Revitalization Success Story - 11/26/2022
For a small city, its downtown has grown significantly and serves as the hub of the community. The Ithaca Commons remains the central gathering space for locals, students and visitors to this city. It is welcoming to all segments of the region. Its historic Commons is tastefully surrounded by new mid-rise buildings with hotels, apartments, and other uses. It is a textbook study of community-sensitive real estate development Read More
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Nice! - 10/1/2021
Great place to live. Lots to do, vibrant culture, and beautiful scenery. Don't fear the winter--it's even beautiful then. Only complaint is the housing market. Way overpriced considering the size of the Read More

Ithaca a liberal cess-pool - 7/12/2021
I was born, raised, educated there (Ithaca High and Cornell). In my opinion, before leaving to pursue my career, it seemed like the most beautiful, clean, low crime, God-loving, family-oriented, small sized city in the US. Many years later, when I returned, I found a Read More

Ithaca is great (if you don't want to date). - 4/27/2018
I think Ithaca is a superb community. The city is beautiful, there are tons of things to do and it's a hub for learning. The natural surroundings are exquisite. Parks are superb! It's liberal, progressive, and a fine place to raise a family. I would not recommend moving here if you're over 40 and single, however. You will not find dates here. You will find people who rarely look at you unless they know you already. You'll find a large population of folks under 30 and a lot of retired folks. You'll find lots of married people with beautiful children. And if you try online dating, you'll find lots of mentally ill men between the ages of 40 and 60. If you're a white straight woman with her sanity intact and you have the slightest bit of self-respect, you will not find a date in this town unless you look like Gemma Arterton and you're in your 20s. Sorry. It's Read More

Ithaca NY - 3/17/2018
Ithaca is the best little liberal town in America. The people are amazing and it’s a beautiful Read More

mixed review - 9/5/2013
I moved to Ithaca from the southeastern US to escape red America at the height of the Bush era, both to find a community where I felt more at home and to find a good place for public education for my children. The schools are good and I have no complaints about them. The educational climate is conducive to learning and there are many opportunities for school children to be involve in a humane and inclusive school community. The downsides for me include a high cost of living - housing and other costs are significantly higher here and taxes related to owning a home are just amazing. I estimate that the property and school taxes I pay are similar to the monthly cost of a 30-year mortgage on a house of similar value to mine. New york has passed a law that limits the growth of property taxes and proudly announces it on their ads for the state, but they don't tell you that the taxes already are about 3000 dollars per hundred thousand (per year!), or that many municipalities (Ithaca Read More

Gas drilling in Marcellus Shale - 2/1/2010
Many residents are worried that prospective drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale (which underlies Ithaca and much of the rest of New York west of Albany) will damage the environment and make living in the area much less appealing. Other residents believe that the economic benefits will outweigh the negatives. At present drilling in the Marcellus Shale is prohibited until the state completes a study of the process, and the governor makes a decision regarding when, and how, to allow Read More

Beauty of Ithaca - 1/12/2010
Rolling hills, numerous waterfalls and gorges make this town great for the Read More

Don't move to Ithaca! - 12/26/2009
Ithaca is an awful place to live! I moved here from Virginia to go to Cornell and regret coming! The university is nice, but the town is horrible! The local people are really strange and downtown area looks really run down. Also, the weather is unbearable, especially in winter. The sun never shines, it snows daily, and rarely gets above 20 degrees. I can't wait until graduation! I don't recommend the area at Read More

Couldn't Wait to Leave! - 11/4/2009
I lived there for 28 years and it was about 20 years too long. We moved in 2001 and I was so happy. I hated the weather - the cloudiness and the LONG winters that start in October and sometimes end by April - the end of April that is. It's so cold. We moved south and I love it! I do not miss Ithaca at all!!! It's in the middle of nowhere and it takes so much time to get anywhere! I do however miss access to NYC. It took a little over 3 hours driving and there were always flights daily. NYC is a place I love and really do miss but Ithaca and surrounding areas - forget it.Read More

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