Norwich Apartment Renter's Guide
Norwich Apartment Renter's Guide
Overview
Norwich, NY, is the birthplace of inventor Gail Borden, whose most famous invention is condensed milk. He also invented the "meat biscuit," a simple, concentrated type of food suited for travel.
Norwich is a city in Chenango County, New York
Norwich, NY, is the birthplace of inventor Gail Borden, whose most famous invention is condensed milk. He also invented the "meat biscuit," a simple, concentrated type of food suited for travel.
Norwich is a city in Chenango County, New York. It's located right in the center of the state and has a population of 7,190. The city is served by the Lt. Warren Eaton Airport, so it's fairly convenient to get in and out of. It was first settled in 1788 and it has a rich history and a lot of old, beautiful buildings! Residents love living here because it affords a high quality of life for a relatively low cost. It's definitely not the place for city slickers -- you'll find a lot of wide, open space and farmland out here. But it's the perfect compromise for someone who wants a city that has a little bit of a commercial hub combined with the privacy and relaxing vibe of a small, country town.
Moving to Norwich
If you're trying to find an apartment in Norwich, you'll be happy to know that the area has a super-high vacancy rate. This means that you'll have a good shot at finding a rental apt that you love. There aren't many apartment buildings here. What you'll find are mostly single-family units that are sectioned into largely one- or two-bedroom apartments. If you're looking for something other than that, you can still find it, but you just might not have as many options. Now that you've decided you're interested in moving here, it's a good time to think about exactly what kind of places for rent you'd like to find. Think about all aspects of your new house, from the style of home you want to the number of bedrooms to the rental price to the type of neighborhood. Once you have a clear idea of exactly what you're looking for, you'll be in good shape to head out and find it!
What to Expect
The vacancy rate is high so you can expect to have your pick of houses. Rent here is very low for the state, too, so you might be able to rent a bigger place than you expected. Either that, or you'll have some extra cash on hand every month to save or spend on fun things in your new hometown! Most of the housing here is owner-occupied, so give yourself four to six weeks to look for rentals, as they won't be as readily available. Many of the homes here date back to the 1940s and 50s, too, so make sure to ask your landlord if there are any problems you should be aware of with your new home.
What You'll Need
Generally, in order to find rental housing in Norwich, you're going to need to be approved by your new landlord. The approval process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, so make sure to have all your paperwork ready advance so that you don't hold up the process. You're going to need a copy of your ID, your bank statements, pay stubs, letter of employment, and references from past landlords or people who know you well. You'll probably need to give them a check to run a credit report on you, and this can cost up to $75. Most apartments require a security deposit that is usually one month's rent plus the additional payment for the first month's rent, so be sure you have enough cash to cover these costs. It's a good idea to bring your checkbook along with you when you head out to view apartments in the area. You might see one that you love right away and will want to put down a deposit right there on the spot. Just make sure you read through the lease thoroughly so you understand what you're signing up for.
Neighborhoods
Norwich is a very small city that doesn't really have any neighborhoods. But you will find different benefits to living in different parts of town. Here's a little more info about the different areas:
North Norwich: This part of town is pretty sparsely populated. The park at St. Paul's cemetery is one of the few grassy areas in the city and there are a few fast food restaurants along Broad Street.
South Norwich: South Norwich is where Main Street intersects with Broad Street and there are quite a few shops and restaurants, such as the lovely Serendipity Cafe and Eicke's Restaurant. You'll find a lot of big, old Victorian-style homes with porches and big, grassy lawns.
Living in Norwich
The main commercial district is on North and South Broad Streets and East and West Main Streets. That's where you'll find most of the shops and restaurants in the city, like Nina's Pizzeria (where the buffalo chicken wrap is a favorite and portions are generous) and the Bohemian Moon, which has a focus on fresh, local foods and the honey brie appetizer is much talked about. The city is encircled by the Chenango River, so there's plenty of fishing and water activities to be found. It's located in a very rural section of New York and the surrounding area is all wide open land where you can find a lot of beautiful scenery. The Ambler State Forest is to the east, which has wonderful camping options and hiking trails. The Norwich Shopping Center on the south side of town is a great place to take care of your shopping needs and McLaughlin's Department Store at the intersection of Main and Broad has clothing and home goods, too. The town is almost directly center to the triangle of Syracuse, Albany, and Binghamton, which some people drive to for work.
The city hosts a number of festivals and events, including the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, a two-day event in early September that features music and art from the region. The Chenango Blues Festival is also a popular event that brings in famous Blues musicians from all over. It's a peaceful town with a very laid-back vibe and residents love it because it is inexpensive, relaxed, and situated in a beautiful part of the country.