I lived here for 5 years while I was a surgery resident at Upstate Medical University. When I was searching for an apartment, my top priorities were proximity to the hospital and affordability. Nettleton Commons was excellent on these two accounts. Its a 5 minute drive to the hospital, a ~15 minute bike ride, and a 30 minute walk. The building, like many Syracuse apartment complexes is a renovated shoe factory, and our apartment had that historic feel with high wooden ceilings, exposed brick, and open floor plans that make the space feel larger than it is. I absolutely loved the open kitchen and breakfast bar layout. My boyfriend and I lived in a corner 1 bedroom apartment on the 5th floor, and we had two walls lined with windows that provided abundant natural light.
In addition to the proximity to the hospital, you are a short walk away from Clinton Square, where many festivals are held during the warmer months. Downtown is also a easy walk, and you are only a few blocks away from CreekWalk - which is a beautiful path that goes through Franklin Square and all the way to the Destiny Mall. Right next to the apartment complex is San Miguels (a great spot for tacos and margaritas), and Colu./mbus Bakery (the most delicious fresh bread you'll ever taste). Not only that, but there is a liquor and wine store (Vinomania) and a hair salon INSIDE THE BUILDING. As a surgery resident with no time, this is game changing.
Now, I do want to point out a few things about the building and the surrounding neighborhood that you should be aware of if you plan to move here. Not to dissuade you, just to set your expectations.
1) The immediate surrounding neighborhood is low income, and there is a significant homeless population. The Nettleton building is adjacent to the Samaritan House, which is a 501c3 organization that provides meals to the hungry. It is an incredibly important organization and they provide an essential service to the community, so expect crowds around the building around mealtimes. In 5 years of walking and biking by the building I never had a problem, but it is something you should be aware of.
2) Avoid the Sunoco gas station across the street. It is a local hang out for vagrants and panhandlers. In my last year in Syracuse I noticed that they blast opera music, i'm assuming to prevent loitering. Only stop there if you absolutely have to, and expect to be approached by panhandlers offering to pump your gas for cash.
3) Always lock your car doors, and be wary of valuable packages that you have delivered to the building. I did have two instances where packages were stolen from inside the building. Literally the box was ripped open and the contents were stolen. Sylvia, the owner was made aware of this and was actively taking steps to improve the security of the building at the time I was leaving.
4) The buidling itself is old, so if you live on the 5th floor, don't be surprised if you find yourself sweeping/dusting particles falling from the ceiling, or experience some leaks after heavy rain. The owner Sylvia and the live-in supervisor are extremely responsive with any maintanence issues that we had while we were there.
5) The building is right next to 81N, one of the major highways that runs through Syracuse. This is super convenient for commuting and travelling, however it can be a problem if you live in a unit that faces the highway, and are senstive to noise. As a surgery resident, I was borderline comatose whenever I slept, so I didn't notice it as much as my boyfriend. Ambient noise apps and ear plugs can only do do much, so just make sure you are aware of where your unit is and whether its something that will be a problem for you.
After having said all of that, it was a great place to live for me during my 5 years of surgery residency. I have a fondness for exposed brick and high ceilings, and I truly loved being in my apartment. Its affordable and in close proximity to downtown and the hospital, which was key for me.
I hope this review helps you figure out if it will work for you! read more