Downtown Ithaca

A Lively and Vibrant Hub

Downtown Ithaca is known for its buzzing atmosphere. With a diverse audience always on the move, Ithaca never sleeps. Many consider Downtown Ithaca the heart of upstate New York state thanks to all of the activities that can be enjoyed there. The art influence on this part of the city is impossible to ignore. Throughout the streets, a variety of public art pieces are displayed, painted by local street artists. Many college students also like to live in this area since it is within close proximity to both Cornell University and Ithaca College.

Downtown is a vibrant and eclectic part of Ithaca, which is why it is no surprise that the food scene is so prominent. Trendy restaurants and bars that the locals love to hang out at are lined up on the streets of the town. Restaurants in the area include Viva Taqueria & Cantina, Ten Forward Cafe, Moosewood Restaurant, New Delhi Diamond's, Mia, and Just A Taste. Bars for drinks on the weekends include The Range, The Watershed, Mercato, and Lot 10 Bar and Lounge. If living in the heart of Ithaca and all of its activity sounds endearing, Downtown Ithaca is the place to be.

What Downtown Ithaca Residents
Think About Their Apartments

overall

8.0

value

7.5

amenities

7.0

social

7.5

management

7.6

Median rents in Downtown Ithaca

Studio

1 Bedroom

2 Bedroom

Living in
Downtown Ithaca

Scenic

Public Transportation

Busy

Very Safe

Plenty of Restaurants and Bars

Festivals

Ithaca Commons

Downtown Ithaca — 8.5/10 Rating (based on 37 neighborhood reviews)

There are always people walking around, so it's pleasant to take daily walks. The park across the street hosts the Farmer's Market twice a week in the summer and fall, and all the festivals that happen in Ithaca are just a block away. The police station and fire station are also in downtown, so you sometimes hear them as they go by, but it's not too often.

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Reviewed by

Downtown Ithaca Resident

/10

Neighborhood Rating

DeWitt Bed and Breakfast

Walking accessible to many places. There are a lot of festivals and events held during the fall/spring which can be both good and bad. Good is that these events bring in delicious food and unique experience. Bad is that there will be heavy foot traffic and some noises during the day.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cayuga Place

A good area that is more affordable and closer to stores than college town or the CTT/Maplewood neighborhoods. A bit of a longer commute to class, but Wegmans is very close, as are most other major stores. 10min walk to the commons.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Parkside Vista

I like being downtown because I'm close to restaurants and events in the Commons (like Apple Fest). Feels more like an adult place to live vs. Collegetown.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cayuga Place

Living off the Commons is great--you have easy access to food, transport, shopping, and great walking paths.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Lofts @ Six Mile Creek

This apartment is right on the commons, so the convenience factor really can't be overstated.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Commons Studios

Lots to do while still close to Cornell. Close to many restaurants and bars.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cayuga Apartments

Very walkable, access to running paths, but very close to recent break-ins.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Apt 1

Located in the middle of the commons, with easy access to bars/restaurants

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Center Ithaca

Select Ithaca locals can seem intimidating and can make you feel unsecure at times. Many MBAs live downtown, good public transit options, close to food and bars.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cayuga Place Apartments

The Commons can be a little loud on the weekends but do die down soon after 1 am. The neighborhood is lively and safe.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Commons Studios

Easy to walk to nearby MBA apartments, easy to catch buses, easy access to restaurants and bars.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cayuga Place

In downtown, close to all places

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Commons West

Close to everything you need

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Harolds Square

Bit of a walk to the law school

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Reviewed by

Cornell Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Center Ithaca

Great

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cayuga Place

It’s on the commons.

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Reviewed by

Anonymous

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Commons West

Close proximity to downtown bars & restaurants

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Center Ithaca

Close to the commons and the bus stop

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Reviewed by

Cornell Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Lofts @ Six Mile Creek

- It is near to the Commons (where stores, banks and restaurants are concentrated);
- There is a bus stop is in front of the building with routes that covers all Ithaca ;
- In less than 10 minutes you are in front of Law School (by bus);
- It is walking distance to Cornell (although there is the hill to get at Cornell from the center).

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Reviewed by

Cornell Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cayuga Place

The apartment is located in the center of Ithaca Commons.
Even though is a little bit far from Cornell, the TCAT bus stop is across the street and we had no issues.
Good to be in the Commons because is close to bars and restaurants.

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Reviewed by

Adriana, Cornell Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Commons West

After living in Brooklyn, every other city seems very small to me, but Downtown Ithaca is very nice and has some things going on. Food selection is actually pretty good and there are a lot of bars.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Home

It is the Ithaca downtown area with a lot of good restaurants and main bus line to almost everywhere in Ithaca.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

City View Apartments

I live in a townhouse by the Six Mile Creek in downtown. I like the downtown/Fall Creek areas because it's more walkable (it's flatter) and there are more options for bars, restaurants, pubs, stores and whatnot.

During the night, it's also a lot less noisy that Collegetown, especially during Friday nights and the weekends. I personally don't walk up the hill; I rely on public transportation. PubTrans in Ithaca is fairly decent and buses do - for the most part - depart on time. You have to pay attention to the driver because sometimes a bus will change its route number midway through its ride. That's annoying. You should also make sure you check TCAT's website for any updates in your route for those happen frequently, especially because of construction. However, I usually walk down the hill to enjoy the scenery from the hill. Ithaca, as many other American towns, has its big supermarkets and stores removed from the city center. But downtown Ithaca does have some mini markets that will do in case of emergency. Overall, I'm really happy with the downtown area.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Engineering Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

122 E. Spencer St

Restaurants, parks, cafes all walking distance. Multiple bus routes for easy transportation.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Harolds Square

Everything around. Quick access to transport, grocery, restaurants&bars.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Center Ithaca

Lots of restaurants/bars around the commons as well as regular bus service

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Center Ithaca

I love living in downtown and would recommend it to everyone. My friends who live in Maplewood/Coal Yard want to move downtown next year so they aren't stuck up the hill.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

116 W Clinton Street Apartment B

Right downtown, so it’s pretty safe. Occasionally get some out of town/questionable characters, but the fact you’re so close to the Commons makes up for it

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Reviewed by

Cornell Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Westminster Hall

The Commons is a great place to live--I'm right next to a bunch of fantastic restaurants and fun shops and the whole area is very walkable (as long as you don't try to go up the hill--that's what the buses are for.) Things did close earlier than I expected, and you can't find many places to eat after 9, but I think that might be an Ithaca thing in general. I see a lot of families walking around the Commons and a truly astonishing number of dogs.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Commons West

Great neighborhood except for the large amount of homeless people.

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Reviewed by

Cornell Johnson MBA Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating