2019 Best Places to Live in Tompkins CountyAbout this List

Cayuga Heights

• Town in New York
• 3 reviews

Former Resident: I lived in Cayuga Heights for 25 years; the report is erronious in stating that most residents rent - in point of fact, most residents own their own homes. The village is heavily inhabited by academics from Cornell - you definitely won't find friendly, folksy people here. However, it is a safe, fairly quiet place to live, but there is uneven yard maintenance due to foreign homeowners who do not know how to keep up their yards. If one has to live in the bad weather of Ithaca, Cayuga Heights is an excellent choice of location.
Read 3 Reviews

• A+

• A

• 3,779 Population

East Ithaca

• Town in New York
• 1 review

• A+

• A

• 2,244 Population

Lansing

• Town in New York
• 4 reviews

Current Resident: I enjoyed growing up here immensely! Both my parents are from this area, as many of my friends are, so there is a strong sense of family and community. It's a great place for young children, with a strong REC program and interesting events at Cornell University. While I have enjoyed my time here, it is becoming increasingly more expensive which is a downfall. Other than this, I love this town!
Read 4 Reviews

• A

• A

• 3,601 Population

South Hill

• Town in New York
• 15 reviews

Niche User: There is going to be crime everywhere you go, but here, in Ithaca, it very unlikely to be a big deal. It's suburban, calm, quiet, and relaxing.
Read 15 Reviews

• A

• A

• 6,693 Population

Ithaca

• Town in New York
• 121 reviews

Current Resident: There's a distinct lifestyle here. During the summer you can swim in the lake and gorges, visit beautiful gardens, and walk on one of the many hiking trails in the area. During the winter there's sledding, skating, watching ice hockey, and more. Not to mention the areas stunning beauty. There are trees all over city and large waterfalls right downtown! Ithaca is a fun place to live with its diverse culture and multiple festivals including Harry Potter Wizarding Weekend, Apple Fest, Chili Fest, and Ithaca Fest.
Read 121 Reviews

• A

• A

• 30,720 Population

Ithaca Town

• Town in New York
• 13 reviews

• A+

• A

• 20,372 Population

Forest Home

• Town in New York

• A+

• A

• 597 Population

Caroline

• Town in New York

• A

• A

• 3,419 Population

Dryden

• Town in New York
• 18 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up in Dryden, and through Cornell and Ithaca College, I now have friends and connections all over the planet. It's a very homely place to grow up while still being well connected. The work environments are interesting: there are many small and start-up companies due to the colleges, but relatively few large businesses due to those same colleges. It also has a delicate balance between political conservatism and liberalism due to it's college-town reputation surrounded by rural upstate New York.
Read 18 Reviews

• A

• B+

• 14,897 Population

Danby

• Town in New York
• 2 reviews

• A-

• A

• 3,483 Population

Ulysses

• Town in New York

• A-

• A

• 5,062 Population

Enfield

• Town in New York

• B+

• A

• 3,616 Population

Trumansburg

• Town in New York
• 6 reviews

Current Resident: Trumansburg is a very lively, healthy, community centered town. Everyone in Trumansburg is helpful and friendly. It is the best place to walk around town on a friday night and interact with the community. All the unique shops insure that everyone will find one place or another that they will fall in love with. All in all Trumansburg is a great town to live in!
Read 6 Reviews

• B+

• B+

• 1,818 Population

Freeville

• Town in New York
• 1 review

• B

• B-

• 399 Population

Newfield

• Town in New York
• 8 reviews

Current Resident: I liked the atmosphere there, its a family environment. It is a great place to raise a family. Also there is not to much trouble in Newfield. It is a pretty good area. They also have a great local dinner and a tourist location, which is the Covered Bridge. They also have the store the Covered Bridge market. Its like a little convenient store, where you can get groceries and some good pizza.
Read 8 Reviews

• B

• B-

• 5,314 Population

Groton

• Town in New York
• 5 reviews

Current Resident: Set in a nice village, with surrounding country-side Groton is a great place to live. The town is walk-able with many local eateries, both the elementary and high-school, and the local park/community pool all being in the village.
Read 5 Reviews

• B

• C+

• 6,078 Population