Central Business District

Busy and Bustling Neighborhood
People who choose to live in the Central Business District of Ithaca are typically looking to live right by their place of work. It is popular among working professionals and young adults who want the shortest commute possible to work. The residents of this part of the city recommend either Wegmans or GreenStar Food Co+op whenever some grocery shopping needs to get done. Dewitt Park is also a popular hangout spot for the locals of the Central Business District. It acts as a getaway from the rest of the city with its greenspace and natural scenery.

Life in the busy part of the city is also convenient food-wise. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from that line the streets of the town. Many of them have high ratings online, which makes the choice of where to go easy for newcomers. Bars for some drinks include Chanticleer, The Watershed, Bar Argos, and Uncle Joe's Grill & Sports Bar. Restaurants in the area include Le Café Cent-Dix, Monks on the Commons, Pizza Aroma, and Ten Forward Cafe. Life in this part of the city is perfect for those who enjoy a busy and fast-paced lifestyle.
What Central Business District Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
7.5
value
7.3
amenities
6.6
social
7.2
management
7.1
Median rents in Central Business District
Studio
$
1 Bedroom
$
2 Bedroom
$

Living in
Central Business District

Busy Area
Groceries
Walkable
Short Commute
Ithaca Commons
Access to Transit
Dewitt Park
Restaurants and Bars
Central Business District — 8.7/10 Rating (based on 48 neighborhood reviews)
The neighborhood is great. You are next to the majority of restaurants in Ithaca. The location is also 2 blocks away from two different main bus stops to campus. Additionally, if you prefer to walk, it takes about 20-30 minutes and you can take a beautiful easy hike up Cascadilla which is a great way to take in Ithaca's beautiful waterfalls and scenery on your way to campus.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
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
8
/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
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Commons West
The Commons is lovely—restaurants, bars, coffeeshops, grocery stores, cute little shops (including several bookstores and used bookstores if that's what you're into, as well.)
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
Living downdown is great. I'm right on the corner of Aurora and E State St so it's nice to see it buzzing on a nice day.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
There are bars and restaurant everywhere. A car is necessary for grocery shopping unless you get things delivered.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
In my opinion, that place you want to be as an MBA student. 1 min from restaurants, bars, and public transit.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gateway Commons: A Travis Hyde Community
I love living downtown, near good bars and restaurants and further from housing popular with undergraduate
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gateway Commons: A Travis Hyde Community
There are lots of restaurants and shops close by. The bus stop is a 5 minute walk.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gateway Commons: A Travis Hyde Community
Everything around. Quick access to transport, grocery, restaurants&bars.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Center Ithaca
Located in the middle of the commons, with easy access to bars/restaurants
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Center Ithaca
Great neighborhood except for the large amount of homeless people.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Cayuga Place
Easy access to buses and restaurants. Delivery is easy.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
One of the most convenient places to live in Ithaca.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
A bit of a walk from Sage but very close to the best bars and restaurants in Ithaca. Feels like you're off campus unlike Collegetown.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
Easy to walk to nearby MBA apartments, easy to catch buses, easy access to restaurants and bars.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Cayuga Place
The only place to live in Ithaca if it’s within your budget
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
In downtown, close to all places
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Commons West
Close to everything you need
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Harolds Square
Bit of a walk to the law school
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Center Ithaca
5 minute walk to the Commons.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City View Apartments
Great
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Cayuga Place
Restaurants and bars.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Commons West
Everything you need is very close.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Commons West
- 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
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Cayuga Place
For those coming from a city, downtown is the place to live. There are great bars/restaurants to walk to and small convenience/grocery stores where can pick up items you need. Also a lot of MBAs live downtown so there is a great community.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
Love living in the Commons. It's a short drive or bus ride to campus (several options for bus stops) and walking distance to bars, restaurants, and other buildings / houses where MBA students live.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gateway Commons: A Travis Hyde Community
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
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Cayuga Place
Solid. I like living downtown on the commons. See a ton of classmates and walk up the Cascadilla Gorge trail to class.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
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
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City View Apartments
Living off the Commons is great--you have easy access to food, transport, shopping, and great walking paths.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Lofts @ Six Mile Creek
Restaurants, parks, cafes all walking distance. Multiple bus routes for easy transportation.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Harolds Square
Right on the commons. Walking distance to tons of restaurants and a couple bars.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
Lots of restaurants/bars around the commons as well as regular bus service
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Center Ithaca
The center of Ithaca! Very social and lively (when not in quarantine).
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
I love the access to restaurants, bars, and public transportation.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
Great restaurant options and close to public transit.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
140 Seneca Way
The commons is amazing. Great restaurants and bars.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
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
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Commons West
This apartment is right on the commons, so the convenience factor really can't be overstated.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Commons Studios
Close proximity to downtown bars & restaurants
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Center Ithaca
It is quite and really nice.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
327 West Seneca Str.
food, social scene best for graduate students
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Harolds Square
safe and quiet once the bar closes.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
Great location.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City Centre
It’s on the commons.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Commons West
Convenient walk to Ithaca commons.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Cayuga Place
Close to the commons and the bus stop
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Lofts @ Six Mile Creek


Getting to Know
Central Business District

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundaries: S Meadow St to Stewart Ave
North to South Boundaries: W Court St to W Clinton St

Best Apartments
in Central Business District

City Centre
Studio $2,394
1 Bed $2,235
2 Beds $3,375

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109 South Quarry Street

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Ironworks Ithaca
Studio $1,650
1 Bed $1,920
2 Beds $2,695

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520 E Buffalo St

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OLD

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519 E Buffalo St
2 Beds $1,780

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