Top Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Major Colleges and Universities in Syracuse

Jessica here, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Syracuse, New York. Centrally located in the state, it is a cost-effective place to live with a booming job market. There are endless outdoor activities to enjoy when you’re not in class or at work. When you’re considering what college to attend or which to send your child to, you will want to know about the neighborhoods where student apartments for rent are. In this guide, we find a great balance of affordability and different aspects of livability based on my expertise in Salt City.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments In Syracuse

As a Syracuse local expert, I can help you understand the ins and outs of neighborhoods to help you make an informed decision. We will explore everything you want to know about the area, including proximity to major attractions and highways, and, of course, how safe it is to live there. If you’re like me, I want the best neighborhood amenities combined with a cost-effective place to live, especially if I’m renting. 

Here we will explore four Syracuse colleges and universities and the neighborhoods surrounding them to help you choose the best one to find student apartments for rent in Syracuse. 

Syracuse University

Located in the University Hill neighborhood, which is both southeast and east of Downtown, its campus is organized into 13 different schools and colleges. This makes finding a neighborhood to live in Syracuse close to campus easy as it surrounds so many of the city’s best neighborhoods. 

University Hill

Home to the Main Campus, it’s a major hub for both medicine and educational fields. There are amazing restaurants, nightlife, luxury hotels, and, of course, small businesses to support too. It is a great place for college students, single professionals, and families to coexist. Looking for a place to get some fresh air between classes or writing a thesis, take a walk or run, or play a game of tennis at Thornden Park. Best of all, there are city buses that run to South Campus and throughout and around Downtown Syracuse. 

Eastside

Most of this neighborhood stretches across the Main Campus. It blends suburban living with a collegiate feel. It’s only two miles from the center of Syracuse, making it great for exploring all the city has to offer during your downtime. Many love its Tudor and Italianate homes. It features America’s first American Craftsman home too. 

Downtown

It’s no secret that it’s the center of all the action and just a few miles from Main Campus, making it desirable for students to live. Get your daily activity by taking a long walk or a jog on the 4.8-mile Onondaga Creekwalk or strolling through Columbus Circle. 

Le Moyne College

This private Jesuit college offers over 30 majors, like accounting, biology, family nurse practitioner, gender, Women's and Sexuality studies, and an evening and graduate program. It’s been recognized as one of the most affordable New York colleges and is in the Top 5% of business schools worldwide. 

Eastwood

Originally a village, its name comes from the easterly direction it lies from the city center. Today, residents love the sense of community, as it still feels like a small town inside the city. There are countless restaurants, including Lyncourt Bakery (I love their cinnamon buns), A Taste of Philadelphia (a Philly cheesesteak favorite), and Brooklyn Pickle where you can enjoy the Brooklyn Pickle Special Sandwich, my favorite food, yes, pickles. Shop for vintage and handmade goods and gifts at Marketplace on James, which features over 50 local vendors. For golfers, enjoy a nine-hole course at Suncrest Park. 

De Witt

This peaceful, homey atmosphere is close to many local colleges. It’s conveniently located to both Interstate 481 and 690, which connect you to Greater Syracuse and surrounding communities fast. The Jewish Community Center offers an outdoor pool and a fitness center. During warm weather, there are many swimmable lakes close by, like Green Lake and Jamesville Beach Park. 

East Syracuse

Full of unique architectural styles, it’s home to popular attractions like The Village Lanes and Hanover Square, which features a plaza full of shops, restaurants, and boutiques. This densely suburban feel offers both apartments and houses to rent in Syracuse. This family-friendly neighborhood is very walkable, which works great for students. Residents love the community feel and the number of parks they can enjoy outdoors. 

Onondaga Community College

This public community college is part of the State University of New York system. Its main campus is located in Onondaga, which borders Syracuse. It offers different career programs, like education, liberal arts, science & engineering, and public safety. 

Strathmore

This mostly residential neighborhood features a range of residents, including creatives, academic professionals, and students. While it does have a suburban feel, it still offers a cozy community feel while being close to downtown. Most highways are no more than five minutes away. Many have lived here for a long time, which helps gives Strathmore a laidback feel. 

Disconnect from the stress of life in Onondaga Park, which starts in the Strathmore neighborhood and expands to the Southside neighborhood next door. Enjoy swimming, running, tennis, basketball, and picnicking here. 

Southside

The South Side of Salt City has countless city parks, international cuisine, countless bars and pubs, and beautiful homes. Discover the beauty of it and the surrounding Strathmore neighborhoods. It features stunning skyline views of Downtown too. /

Looking for soul food? Some local favorites from Chi’ Soul Food include smothered pork chops, baked mac and cheese, and their homemade collard greens. Want to grab a quick pint? Visit Swallow’s, a local watering hole known for their delicious chicken wings. 

South Valley

On the South Side of Syracuse, it borders North Valley and Outer Comstock with proximity to suburbs Onondaga and Nedrow. While it feels like a small town, it is family-friendly, where most people know each other. Many love the proximity to some of the city’s best parks, including Elmwood and Kirk Parks. 

Upstate Medical University

As one of the largest Central NY employers, employing over 12,000 people, it helps to improve the community’s health through healthcare, education, and research combined. This public medical school is among one of the oldest medical schools in the United States and the only one in the region. They are a transfer and graduate school. 

They feature four different colleges: College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Health Professions, and College of Graduate Studies. Not only does it offer a school, but it is the region’s only Level-1 trauma center, cancer center, and children’s hospital. 

Westcott

One of the most trendy neighborhoods in Syracuse, it houses a large variety of interesting shops and international cuisine options. It offers a hipster vibe with eclectic and cool buildings and businesses to frequent. Do you like vintage clothing? Boom Babies Boutiques offers trendy accessories and fun vintage finds. The Syracuse Cooperative Marketing, a community-owned grocery store, allows you to buy locally produced produce, craft beer, and bulk food too. 

Armory Square

Those living here boast about all the colorful spots there are to explore in the neighborhood. Do you love cookies? Try Cathy’s Cookie Kitchen with gluten-free and vegan options too. Like live music? Have some Chicken Parm waffles while listening to a local act. For cocktail & spirits enthusiasts, Al’s Wine & Whiskey Lounge is where creatives love to sip on absinthe. 

Near Westside

As one of the town’s oldest neighborhoods, it has some of the oldest and most beautiful homes. This multicultural community is full of the Latino community. St. Lucy’s Catholic Church helps immigrants and refugees at their West Side Learning Center. 

Love Polish food? The Syracuse Polish Home offers a free drink and meal on your birthday. Located close to local highways, living here makes it easy to commute to any of the surrounding neighborhoods. 

Meadowbrook

Located in southeast Syracuse, it is close to NY State Route 92, which will take you directly to downtown. There are endless suburban housing options here because of its proximity to Syracuse University too. This is especially great if your partner or roommate is going to a different school than you, as you’re living in a neighborhood close to both schools. If you’re into fun architecture, you can find interesting rentals here. 

Find Student Apartments in Syracuse NY 

Syracuse offers affordable living with an outstanding quality of life. All of these colleges and universities put you in the heart of this large city. Central New York has long been known as a great place to live with amazing schools, a large variety of cultural attractions and sporting events, and beautiful parks, lakes, and recreational activities to enjoy all four seasons. 

Ultimately, when you’re looking for student apartments near Le Moyne College, Syracuse University, Onondaga Community College, and Upstate Medical University, Apartment Home Living has you covered. We offer all of the local available listings with a large variety of types of rentals and budgets. We show you specific rentals in the neighborhoods important to you. Allow us to showcase our expertise during this important time in your life. We would love to help you find the perfect student rental for your needs.