I will speak from my personal experience as someone who stayed in the city of Syracuse and around its campus for a little over than five months.
Healthcare:
I tend to frequent medical centers a little more than the average student would; therefore a reliable health care system was a top priority on my list. Being someone new to the US, the idea of pricey health insurance seemed unpleasant at first but, as I came to find out, very important. The student health center, which students have access to through the mandatory health service fee is a good first-stop to receiving health care. I say a good first-stop because most of my medical complaints were referred to outside-campus medical specialists.
Given the close proximity of good medical facilities (and the reliable health insurance I had), I can say that these referrals were not a hassle. The area around campus is well equipped with good health centers and medial specialists. And when you’re asked to revisit the doctor a few times, a good insurance is there for you (this might sound like an insurance ad but I mean it!).
Put simply, you will be taken care of in this city (with the help of good health insurance).
Safety:
Being a person who mostly prefers to stay indoors after 10pm, I can say that I had not encountered any problems whatsoever. I live 30 minutes away from campus and I commute using the local bus system (which is free for students who live in the major off-campus neighborhoods). The area I live in is (thankfully) very, very safe. In fact, when I first came here and took a late night stroll I was worried at how quiet it was, I was even more worried when my landlord told me that it was okay to leave the doors unlocked and that the neighbors are there for me if I needed them (this is unheard of in all of the places I lived in). Walking to school and back is no problem as well. Granted, not every neighborhood is as quiet and safe as this one (or so the off-campus’s safety pamphlet says), but with good research of the neighborhoods around campus, you will find a safe place to live in.
For those nights and visits to the city, you will need reliable taxi service (or friends). There are some areas where taxis are available at all times (including a snow storm), but its good to keep a few cards just in case.
My most favorite campus service is shuttle-u-home, which is a shuttle service that basically drives students right to their front doors at no cost, from 8pm to 3am. And for those who decide to stay on campus past 3am, the department of public safety might personally drive you home!! (Another unheard of service from my past experience). Once again, I speak from my own experience and cannot speak for others.
As a foreign student I should also say that I found people quite friendly here. Granted, the bus drivers will not wait for you as you chase after them because you were 10 seconds late but most people are nice and friendly and will treat you well if they feel equally unthreatened by you.
I can provide more information on safe neighborhoods for those who want them (but please leave a comment).
Hello! I’d love to hear more about neighborhoods that graduate students typically live in. Thanks!
Hi, Katy!
In this link you will find an interactive map that shades the neighborhoods around campus with colors and when you click on them you can see a description of the neighborhood, the level of business activity, proximity and for some safety.
Since graduate students have to look for their own housing and since there are MANY graduate students in the Syracuse area, housing tends to fill up pretty quickly, so graduate students end up living wherever they find housing. But I can tell you from my experience and that of some of my colleagues that the three most populous and safe neighborhoods are:
– Westcott: notorious for its restaurants, basically populated by students
– University Neighborhood: according to many of the taxi drivers I’ve spoken to, it is a bit of a “party” scene, also an undergrad neighborhood
– Meadowbrook: suburban area, quiet and, in my opinion the safest and most aesthetic
I live in the Meadowbrook neighborhood. I found the studio I’m currently renting on OrangeHosuing. Meadowbrook is a very, very quite and safe place where some university staff and professors live. It has a TOPs Market, a pharmacy, an organic foods store, a gas station, a tennis court, a park and a post office. However, try to find housing near “Meadowbrook street” so that you can walk to the nearest bus stop, otherwise you will have to find another form of transportation.
The key is: try to find housing that is less than 30 min walk from campus, if you do not plan to rent/buy a car. When you find a place that you like online, use google directions to see how far it is from Syracuse university.
I have also heard about graduate students living in the South of campus. Especially Nob Hill (which has its own shuttle). I can’t tell you about this region because I’ve never been there personally. You should check it out though (the Nob Hill Apartments have good deals) but it’s kind of far away from campus if you miss the shuttle.
One more thing. In this city-data thread, people (who have lived in syracuse) share their views on the safety level of each neighborhood. You might want to take a look at it before you start looking for housing, it was really helpful for me.
Sorry if I left you with an answer longer than one you hoped for, It sounded like you were an admitted student and I hope this helps. Good luck!
Please tell me if you have any other questions.