East Ithaca Guide
Everything you need to know about living, working, and building in East Ithaca
📍 Quick Overview
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One of the things I really like about working in East Ithaca is how it feels tucked away, but you’re still just a quick drive or bike ride from downtown or Cornell. Every time we’re doing a job here, it’s quiet, green, and you see folks out walking or biking on the East Hill Recreation Way. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you get a real sense of community, but you’re never far from anything you need.
What Makes East Ithaca Special
From the job sites, you see big old trees, lots of green lawns, and the East Hill Recreation Way winding through the neighborhood.
The folks here are a friendly mix—families, grad students, and folks who’ve lived here for years.
It’s close enough to Cornell and Ithaca College that you can bike or catch a quick bus, and you’ve got shopping, groceries, and coffee at East Hill Plaza right around the corner.
Natural Beauty
Community Feel
Convenience
The terrain is mostly gentle, with some rolling spots and a few wet patches after heavy rain. There’s always birdsong, and in the spring, the wildflowers pop up along the trails.
You’ll notice neighbors chatting on the sidewalk, kids biking to school, and people heading to the plaza for errands. It’s peaceful, safe, and everyone seems to look out for each other
The location works because you get a laid-back, suburban feel, but you’re still minutes from campus and downtown.
🏠 Living & Building in East Ithaca
Neighborhood Amenities
Housing & Development
Parks & Recreation: East Hill Recreation Way is a big draw—great for walking, biking, and getting to campus or downtown.
Shopping & Dining: East Hill Plaza has groceries, coffee shops, and places to grab lunch, like Collegetown Bagels. There’s even a weekly farmers market in season
Schools & Services: Served by Ithaca City Schools, with Belle Sherman Elementary and DeWitt Middle nearby, plus both Cornell and Ithaca College close by
Transportation: TCAT buses run through here, and it’s a quick drive to anywhere in town. Roads are wide enough for equipment, and there’s plenty of parking
We work on all sorts of places here—apartments for students, split-level and ranch houses from the ‘60s, and some Craftsman cottages.
There’s a mix of older homes and newer condos and duplexes, all tucked back on modest lots with lots of trees and landscaping.
Building here means planning for drainage, since the soil can get soggy, especially in spring and fall.
Access is usually good, but some homes are set back behind trees, so we bring in smaller machines when needed.
We’ve done several excavation and drainage projects in East Ithaca, including grading for new homes, driveways, and fixing wet yards. The soil here is mostly Ithaca loam, which is somewhat poorly drained and can get muddy when it rains. You have to watch for a high water table from October through May and plan for runoff. Permits go through the City or Town of Ithaca, and it’s smart to allow a couple weeks for approval.
🗺️ Area Map
❓ Quick Facts About East Ithaca
Neighborhood Stats
About 10 minutes to downtown Ithaca
Most lots are modest, with homes set back behind trees
Zoned for a mix of single-family, apartments, and condos
All standard utilities, plus city water/sewer and high-speed internet
Planning a Project Here?
The soil is mostly Ithaca loam—somewhat poorly drained, so you need to plan for good drainage and sometimes bring in extra gravel. Permits go through the City or Town of Ithaca and usually take a couple of weeks, especially if you’re doing more than a simple addition. Best time for excavation is late spring or early fall, since the ground can be wet in spring and muddy in winter. Equipment access is usually decent, but watch for tree roots and landscaping.
🚜 Local Excavation & Site Work
We’ve handled excavation, site prep, and drainage work all over East Ithaca. After years of projects here, we know how to deal with the heavy soils and keep your landscaping looking good. When you hire a local crew, you get folks who know the land and care about doing the job right for the neighborhood.
