Utica is home to more than two centuries of history spanning across the oceans, as this city in east-central New York possesses a vibrant mix of cultures from around the world. Among its more than 63,000 residents are people from many countries in Europe and Asia, leading to the city's reputation as a cultural melting pot. One of its best-known landmarks is The Center, which has provided services to immigrants for over 40 years. “There’s history, culture and the schools are top-notch,” says Michael Miner, broker and owner of Miner Realty and Property Management. “The nature is beautiful and it’s a great family environment. That’s what makes it so great. You’re literally in the middle of it all.”
The city’s cultural variety is also reflected in restaurants dispersed throughout the city. Menus range from international fare to American classics, while interiors include casual pubs, cafes and bakeries. “People will drive from Oneida, from probably about 30 to 40 miles around, to go to Utica for some of the greatest restaurants in the area,” says Chip Hodgkins, team leader of the Hodgkins Home Team of Hunt Real Estate.
At the foot of the Adirondack Mountains, Utica is also renowned for recreational opportunities that change from season to season. “The recreation is outrageous,” Hodgkins says. “There’s sports and a ton of skiing in the wintertime.” An assortment of parks dot the cityscape, and the Mohawk River rushes nearby. “Everything you can think of to do outdoors, you can do out here,” Miner says. A thriving arts scene with theaters and museums adds a splash of creativity to the landscape.
Utica is home to more than two centuries of history spanning across the oceans.
Utica is a melting pot with residents hailing from many countries in Europe and Asia.
Cultural variety is reflected in a host of restaurants dispersed throughout Utica.
In Utica, menus range from international fare to American classics.
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An array of recreation ranging from skiing to hiking
Utica offers more than 650 acres of parks. “People use the area a lot, between skiing, snowmobiling, going up to the Adirondacks for sports and ice fishing,” Hodgkins says. The biggest recreational area is 385-acre Roscoe Conkling Park. There, residents can play the public Valley View Golf Course, visit the Utica Zoo, ski, skate or snowboard.
At the Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area on the north side of the city, residents can hike or bike through a variety of flora and fauna. “It’s Mohawk Valley as a whole,” Miner says of popular activities. “You have the various lakes and golfing. There are a lot of outdoor things, from snowmobiling to skiing to hiking.” Residents are also less than 50 miles from other recreational spots. Snow Ridge Ski Resort and Woods Valley Ski Area are north of the city, while Oneida Lake sits about 45 miles west and is popular for canoeing, fishing, boating and more.
Locals enjoy the pickleball courts at the Roscoe Conkling Park in Utica.
Utica resident golfers can take swings at the public Valley View Golf Course.
Utica Zoo is open year-round for animal lovers, and is a regional gem.
Val Bialas Ski Center in Utica offers a ski slope during winter months.
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Many single-family homes in Utica
Most of the city’s housing is on gridded streets. Single-family homes are the most common style, especially on the south side of the city. Townhouses, condos and multi-family homes sit closer to the city center. “The average home sells for between $250,000 and $300,000,” Miner says.
Multi-family properties typically range from $100,000 to $200,000, while a number of recently-sold single-family homes have been priced as low as $150,000; however, prices often climb up to $300,000. The median sold price for properties in Utica is about $174,000, well below the national median of just under $417,000, and homes in the city sell within 52 days on average.
Residents in Utica experience cold winters and warm summers, when temperatures typically top out at under 90 degrees. Annual snowfall can exceed 100 inches.
The median sold price for properties in Utica is about $174,000.
Single-family homes are the most common style of housing found in Utica.
The average home sells for between $250,000 and $300,000 in Utica.
In Utica, townhouses, condos and multi-family homes sit closer to the city center.
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Major shopping centers on the city’s outskirts
The city's restaurants range from Jamaican and Haitian to Italian and Mexican. “Our food here is unbelievable. There’s a lot of staples that are only found in the Mohawk Valley,” Miner says. “We have some of the best Italian food in the country, hands down. We’ve got pho, sushi, great seafood and a variety of just about everything you can think of.” Eateries are primarily concentrated along thoroughfares like Genesee Street, Mohawk Street and Albany Street. Taverns, bakeries and cafes are located across the city as well.
Local grocery stores include Market 32 and Hannaford. In the center of the city, the Hannaford Plaza shopping center features several retail and dining chains, along with its namesake supermarket. Just west of the city along Commercial Drive, Sangertown Square has more than 50 storefronts, and the New Hartford Consumer Square complex includes Walmart, Barnes & Noble and Best Buy.
Grocery shoppers in Utica have proximity to several stores, including Market 32.
Eateries and coffee shops like the Utica Roasting Company are scattered throughout Utica.
Hannaford Plaza is located in Utica and includes several retail and dining chains.
An array of international restaurants and breweries such as F.X. Matt Brewing dot Utica.
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Local theater and arts scenes
The city is home to entertainment outlets, too, such as the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute and the Stanley Theatre. The former offers a museum and programs for arts and performing arts, while the theater hosts concerts, shows and Broadway-style performances. On the north side, the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets hit the ice and the Major Arena Soccer League’s Utica City FC play at the Adirondack Bank Center.
Utica residents don't have to travel far to find great art at the Munson Museum.
The Stanley Theatre hosts a variety of concerts, shows and Broadway-style performances.
Sports fans can watch the Utica Comets hit the ice at the Adirondack Bank Center.
Utica is host to a number of outlets for entertainment, such as the Italian Festival.
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Convenient access to major interstates
Several major highways are accessible within 5 miles of the city’s center. “Compared to a New York City or Albany, we have no traffic,” Miner says. “For me to go 20 miles down the road takes 20 minutes.” Interstate 90 is accessible on the north side of the Mohawk River. State Routes 8 and 12 meet in the southeastern corner of the city.
Syracuse is just over 50 miles west of Utica, while New York City, Boston and Hartford are each more than 200 miles away. “It’s so close to the New York State Thruway that it’s easy to commute to anywhere from Utica,” Hodgkins says. Centro operates buses within Utica.
Colleges and city government are two of Utica’s major employers, along with medical care and industry. “It’s a very entrepreneurial area,” Hodgkins says. “There is medical, nanotechnology and ship manufacturing. There’s revitalization happening in Utica, and it’s exciting for everyone that lives in Utica and the surrounding area.”
Local school districts and a pair of colleges
The Utica City School District, which earns a B-minus grade from Niche, has 10 elementary schools, two middle schools and Thomas R. Proctor High School. Private options include Notre Dame Elementary School, a Catholic institution that spans kindergarten through sixth grade. Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School, which Niche rates an A-minus, serves students in seventh through 12th grade.
Utica University enrolls more than 4,000 students across a suburban campus of 100-plus acres. The primary campus of Mohawk Valley Community College enrolls more than 7,000 undergraduate students.
Thomas R. Proctor High School is a public high school on a sprawling campus in Utica.
Notre Dame Elementary School is a private pre-K and elementary school in Utica.
Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School in Utica serves seventh through twelfth graders.
In Utica, the campus of Mohawk Valley Community College has over 7,000 undergraduates.
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Declining crime rates in Utica
According to the FBI, the Utica Police Department recorded an average of 146 violent crimes and 159 property offenses per month in 2023. In 2018, the monthly averages stood at 155 violent offenses and 161 property crimes, pointing to a decline in both rates.
Joe has been involved in real estate for over 35 years in the local community and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his clients.
As a successful small business owner, he learned that through hard work, persistence, and determination a person can achieve their goals. He brings that same work ethic and integrity to everything he does and will work tirelessly to achieve results for his client's real estate interests.
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.
