In 2011, Forbes Magazine voted Auburn, NY No. 1 in the NE, for Best Small Cities to Raise a Family, and 18th in the Nation!
Wonder why? Auburn boasts solid income levels, promising educational prospects, affordable living costs, short commute times and high rates of home ownership. These factors all add up to high quality of life measures that make living in Auburn better and easier than the majority of its competitors.
Take a Look
Auburn’s attractive historic residential neighborhoods surround its traditional downtown, which has recently enjoyed major revitalization projects. The City improved the public infrastructure within the downtown core and more exciting projects sprung up as a result of additional private investment, such as the Stardust Foundation of CNY and the Entrepreneurial Institute and the lofts and townhouses at Logan Lofts.
Downtown Core
Market Street Park on Owasco River, State Street “Creative Corridor” and Exchange Street Mall have all been refurbished within the past few years. These locations now host summer concert series and festivals, and public art installations of colorful mosaics and sculpture pieces that grace downtown. The Downtown Auburn BID’s attractive flower pots, hanging baskets and benches, further improve downtown’s appeal; not to mention the addition of many new retail and dining establishments like Downtown Books & Coffee, Moro’s Table, Bambino’s Bistro and Mesa Grande Taqueria.
Natural & Historic Resources
Owasco Lake & River and Hoopes Park are the City’s natural gems that further set Auburn apart from the rest. The City is also rich in culture, arts and history, offering a great array of museums, historic sites and national landmarks such as the Seward House Museum, Harriet Tubman Home, Willard Memorial Chapel, Cayuga Museum & Case Research Lab and Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center. These internationally significant sites are tightly woven into our nation’s history.
Performing Arts
Performing arts is a rising star in Auburn’s sky. Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Auburn’s “Broadway in the Finger Lakes,” recently completed an impressive facility upgrade and expansion, and is heading up plans to create a Musical Theater Festival unlike anything in the area. Auburn Public Theater’s major renovation is part of this initiative, and the site also offers other theatrical and performing arts productions year round like comedy, music, dance, film, poetry and much more. If sports is more appealing, Auburn is home to the Auburn Doubledays, a professional minor league baseball team, offering affordable family fun June – early September.
Education
Higher education, in another growth sector, has greatly enhanced Cayuga Community College offerings with a wide array of interesting classes, workshops, plus the opportunity to pursue advanced and graduate degrees at CCC’s University Center. Through partnerships with Keuka College, Cazenovia College and SUNY Empire State College students can earn 18 different Bachelor’s and 7 different Master’s degree programs on the CCC campus. In addition, Auburn City Schools are excellent, as are a number of private schools such as the Montessori School.
Health Services
Auburn being the political seat of Cayuga County, it offers many government, banking, finance, legal and medical services. Auburn Memorial Hospital, Central Health, plus specialty health facilities and private medical practices provide Auburn with a very broad spectrum of health care services for a city its size.
Jobs
Auburn offers employment opportunities in the areas of light manufacturing, such as precision metalworking, plastics, and fiber optics and a wide range of service-related jobs supported by education, government, tourism, retail and the medical industry.
Work – Life
Auburn’s assets allow residents to strike that perfect work-life balance. Add up affordable homes in walk able neighborhoods, a strong urban core, highly regarded schools, an educated workforce, plus cultural and recreational opportunities—all surrounded by limitless natural beauty makes life in Auburn REAL. SMART. EASY!
