As the only official city in the county of St. Lawrence and the only American port to make an appearance on the St. Lawrence River, Ogdensburg is accustomed to standing out as a celebrated anomaly. This well-known presence in Northern New York also holds the important position of connecting the country to neighboring Canada.
Ogdensburg, New York, has traded hands more frequently than some professional athletes and received a well-deserved name change when it became part of the U
As the only official city in the county of St. Lawrence and the only American port to make an appearance on the St. Lawrence River, Ogdensburg is accustomed to standing out as a celebrated anomaly. This well-known presence in Northern New York also holds the important position of connecting the country to neighboring Canada.
Ogdensburg, New York, has traded hands more frequently than some professional athletes and received a well-deserved name change when it became part of the U.S. in 1796. The former French occupied piece of property was named Oswegatchie before its American owners christened it with the easier to pronounce Ogdensburg. It was incorporated as a city in 1888 and lost the superfluous "h" in the process. Along with several name changes, the city has a rich history. Its historical roots are obvious with the many spots in town that make a distinguished appearance on the National Register of Historic Places. Waterways define the scenery and lifestyle in Ogdensburg with an over six-mile presence along the St. Lawrence River and its location at the mouth of the Oswegatchie River. All that water means bridges are a must, and the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge connects this upstate New York city to that country above America. Plus, locals get bragging rights as living in one of the rare U.S. cities with an international bridge.
Those considering a move to Ogdensburg notice that much of the residential properties were constructed before WWII, with some newer properties built before the latter part of the 20th century. Not only does this mean that rental properties come with loads of charm and character, and maybe a ghost or hidden treasure, but it also means that there are few high-rise apartments; most apartments are historic homes split into several rental units. It is also common to find apartment rentals above a business.
When scoping out the city to find places to rent, decide whether you would love to live in an apartment over a bar or hair salon to feel connected to the community or whether you would rather to be one of a handful of tenants in a historic home. Since this part of the country gets all four seasons, including cold snowy winters, check out what the heat options are before signing a lease. You would hate to be furiously rubbing two sticks together in hopes of sparking a fire on your first freezing night. Some units with all bills paid even specify that it includes heat and snow removal. Many rental properties feature off-street parking and backyards.
Be prepared to cough up the first month's rent and a deposit before signing a lease, which will typically be for a year. Some landlords ask for references and a rental history. If you hate parting with your hard earned cash as much as Ebenezer Scrooge, rejoice in knowing that Ogdensburg has a low cost of living. That includes rents that are well below the national average and that offer some of New York's best real estate deals. Vacancy rates tend to be average, so plan for the usual two- to four-week search for apartments before finding the perfect pad. Also, some landlords don't allow pets, so check into that before Fido gets left without a place to hang his leash.
The three main neighborhoods in Ogdensburg are best understood in terms of their geographical location. West, Central, and East Ogdensburg span the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River, so each neighborhood gets waterfront views and easy access to the water. Because of the small size of St. Lawrence, picking a neighborhood is primarily about where you want your mom to send you packages and the locale of the couch that your friends may come to crash on, as the rest of the city will still be close enough to hop around town throughout the day. Apartments for rent in Ogdensburg can be found in the following sections of town:
West Ogdensburg: Everything west of the Oswegatchie River composes the layout of this neighborhood where available properties tend to be in the greatest abundance, so this is an ideal spot for renters needing a new place ASAP. As an added bonus, you get views of both rivers, double dipping into the sea town's top features.
Central Ogdensburg: Oswegatchie River to Paterson Street defines the boundaries of this neighborhood, which serves as the city's downtown area. There is a more urban feel here than in the rest of Ogdensburg. Some of the city's biggest highlights, such as the Frederic Remington Art Museum, are found in these desirable digs.
East Ogdensburg: The Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge spans from this neighborhood over to Canada. That, along with the location of the U.S. Customs House, keeps this part of town very busy and is the first stop for visiting Canadians.
One of the city's bragging points is that it features a diverse array of offerings, so locals can decide whether they want the laid-back small town experience or a more culturally charged lifestyle more akin to big city living. Ogdensburg's 11,100-plus residents enjoy calling the Maple City home, because they can get outdoors and stay fit, hibernate in museums, and dig in at local restaurants.
The 2.2-mile Maple City Trail is available to bikers, walkers, and runners who get to take in the trail's many trees, water flowers, and local wildlife along the way. Ice skaters make use of the indoor ice arena, while boarders enjoy the outdoor Skateboard Park. Ogdensburg Community Garden keeps those fitness junkies full of locally grown produce. History buffs enjoy reliving the days of French occupancy at Fort de la Presentation where historical reenactments come complete with tricornered hats. Art enthusiasts flock to the artistic images of the Wild West at the Frederic Remington Art Museum. Water recreation is a given because of the city's prime location, but the dual rivers also inspire the city's largest celebration. Since small towns celebrating the 4th of July with festivals and fireworks is completely overdone, Ogdensburg waits until the last week of July to celebrate its annual International Seaway Festival.
Once you've dived, paddled, skated, or strolled through town, grab a bite at legendary Phillips Diner or cozy up to the fireplace at the Freight House. Bowling at the bowling alley or taking in the latest flick at the movie theater are other entertainment options in Ogdensburg. Remember that a car is most important in getting the full experience of living here, as there is no public transportation system.
