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About Oswego, NY

About Oswego, NY

Discover lakeside life in the historic city “where the water never ends”

Life on Lake Ontario defines the Oswego experience. This waterfront town’s attachment to the Great Lake is present even in its name, which comes from an Iroquois term meaning “pouring-out place.” With a history dating back to 1722 and a prime location for enjoying fishing, boating and extreme sports on the river, Oswego makes it easy to enjoy contemporary living against the backdrop of a historic 18th-century town.

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A couple plays fetch with their dog in the water at Sandy Island Beach State Park.
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Linear Park offers stunning views of the Oswego River and downtown Oswego.
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Colonial Revival homes along the Oswego River

Fans of Colonial Revival homes and historic residences will find a lot to love in Oswego’s traditional stylings. Most of the area’s homes date back to the early 1900s, with a mix of American foursquare, Cape Cod and ranch-styles. Finding homes with remodels and restorations is common, and buyers can expect to pay about $120,000 for a three- or four-bedroom home with two full bathrooms. Prices can range from $40,000 for small manufactured homes up to a maximum of $485,000 for new homes with large square footage or acreage.

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Oswego's real estate market features a mix of housing options
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Oswego's housing market is influenced by its proximity to Lake Ontario.
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Walks along the lakeside at Breitbeck Park

Breitbeck Park serves as a gateway between Oswego’s historic setting and the breadth of Lake Ontario. Residents can find a fitness court, walking trail and a basketball court at the park, as well as a bell tower and picnic tables along the lakeside. The William S. Cahill Pier lets residents enjoy the water up close while staying dry, and boating enthusiasts can launch from the adjacent Wright’s Landing Marina. Close to the downtown center, Franklin Square Park has a playground and sprinklers for the kids to enjoy during the warm season.

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A couple sit and take in the views of Lake Ontario at Breitbeck Park.
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Various piers and wharfs on Lake Ontario can be seen from Breitbeck Park.
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Local vendors on both sides of the river

On East 1st Street, Tatlim Bakery serves up macarons, baklava and other seasonal Turkish sweets, while the Press Box has been a local sports bar staple for almost 40 years. Crossing the river to West 2nd Street, Port City Co-Op sells handmade goods and antiques, while the Rooftop Lounge offers scenic views and sophisticated dining across the street on West 1st. Riverwalk Coffee Roasters serves handcrafted lattes, cold brews and more down the street. Residents can also catch Ji-Woo's Korean Seoul Food truck in Oswego on occasion for rice bowls, ramen and fried dumplings. Most of Oswego’s big-box retail offerings are located on the east side of town along the NY-104 highway. Residents can find reliable shopping options such as Price Chopper, TJ Maxx, Big Lots and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet nearby, alongside straightforward fast-food picks that include Popeyes, Wendy’s and McDonald’s.

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A man gets a trim at The Good Guys Barber Shop in Oswego NY.
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It's a short wait for patrons at The Mix in Oswego NY as they wait for their healthy shakes.
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Block parties and Harborfest in downtown Oswego

Oswego residents close to downtown can enjoy the city’s local block parties. “They’ll cut off a block or two from traffic and have bands playing, other entertainers and vendors, and fireworks on the water. We have a great location by the river to send off fireworks,” says Edward Elsner, the librarian at the Oswego Public Library. Movie nights in town happen at the Oswego Cinema 7, a theater in the heart of the city on West 2nd Street. Originally built in 1941, this Art Deco-styled cinema has a nostalgic atmosphere with modern moviegoing comforts added in a 2021 renovation. To the east on Albany Street, Oswego Speedway draws in visitors as the local home of supermodified car races in the summertime. Residents can also enjoy browsing the weekly farmer’s market during the summer and early fall, and late July brings the annual Harborfest festival with vendors, music and carnival games into town. “It’s got some of the best shows in the country,” Elsner says.

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An early evening view of Oswego Cinema 7.
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An off-season view of Oswego Speedway.
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Upstate education at Oswego’s public schools

Grade schoolers in the Oswego area attend schools in the Oswego City School District, which garners a C-plus rating from Niche. Kids attend Riley Elementary School from kindergarten through the sixth grade. The school earns a B-minus rating from Niche. Seventh and eighth-grade students attend the C-ranked Oswego Middle School. Oswego High School’s music and band department offers seven ensembles for students of multiple skill levels to join, as well as associated choral and drama programs with shows throughout the year. The school holds a B-minus grade on Niche.

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Oswego High School on Lake Ontario.
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Kingsford Park Elementary in Oswego can be seen with Nine Mile Nuclear plant in the background.
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Follow the river to Syracuse

Commuters can expect a drive of about 40 miles between Oswego and Syracuse via NY-481 South or NY-48 South. Syracuse International Airport is 35 miles away from the city. For local medical concerns, Oswego Hospital is on West 6th Street, less than a mile away from the city center. The Centro bus system operates service throughout the Oswego area, with stops available on both sides of the river. Specialized bus services for the SUNY Oswego campus are also available, and students can ride for free within the city with a valid student ID.

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A Centro Transit Service bus enters SUNY Oswego.
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A Centro Transit Service bus stop in Oswego.
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A local economy driven by nuclear power, health and SUNY Oswego

The Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant and Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station are both situated 7 miles northeast of Oswego. The facilities provide some of the city’s primary industrial output, making them a major source of jobs in the area, alongside the Oswego Health system and the local university, State University of New York at Oswego. Overlooking the waterfront on the west side of town, SUNY Oswego students can choose from more than 70 undergraduate majors, and the university holds a B ranking with Niche.

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Ji-Woo's Korean Seoul Food is a popular food truck in Oswego.
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People come to Selkirk Shores State Park to fish along the shores of Lake Ontario.
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Christina von Claparede-Crola
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Brandon Vick
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Vick
Ruo Zheng
Video By
Ruo Zheng

Neighborhood Map

Oswego by the Numbers

$162K
Average Housing Value
39
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Oswego, NY

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Kingsford Park Elementary School
#1 Kingsford Park Elementary School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Minetto Elementary School
#2 Minetto Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Charles E. Riley Elementary School
#3 Charles E. Riley Elementary School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Leighton Elementary School
#4 Leighton Elementary School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Fitzhugh Park Elementary School
#5 Fitzhugh Park Elementary School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle School

Oswego Middle School
#1 Oswego Middle School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools

Best Public High School

Oswego High School
#1 Oswego High School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools

Best Private Schools

Oswego Community Christian School
#1 Oswego Community Christian School
Trinity Catholic School
#2 Trinity Catholic School

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Anthony Prince
(680) 220-4202
As a lifelong resident of Central New York, Tony Prince resides in Manlius and had lived in the Fayetteville/Manlius area for 20 years.
Tony has been professionally recognized on numerous occasions in his career for his continued outstanding success. Tony was the recipient of the prestigious “Realtor of The Year 2022” by the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors. Tony has also won the National Sales Excellence Award 2019-2023. This honorable award ranks him in the Top 5% of agents nationally. Tony is consistently ranked as a Top Real Estate Producer in CNY and has been for several years.
Tony was recently elected to Board of Directors at the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors for a 4-year term. A testament to his ethics and knowledge of the industry. He has been labeled in the industry as a negotiating communicator who works hard for his clients. Tony continues to be a Top Producing agent, listing and selling properties throughout CNY.
For home sellers, he brings many services that most Real Estate agents cannot provide. Tony’s marketing plan enables sellers to sell their home quicker and many times over asking price. Tony has recently said, “Investing in my clients on the front end with my unique marketing plan provides a path to success for my clients with proven results”.
For buyers, he provides great insight into the purchasing process. Tony takes the time to educate a buyer on the process and Real Estate market prior to purchasing and protects his clients all the way to the closing table.
Tony has a service area that covers all of Central New York, but he has nationwide connections to assist you relocating to or from the area.
As an experienced Real Estate professional, Tony has helped hundreds of buyers and sellers achieve the American Dream.
Call him today for a complimentary consultation about ANY of your Real Estate needs and goals!
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.