Nikita & Erik Jankowski Downtown Employees & Residents Nikita and Erik are true urban dwellers. Not only do they live downtown with their dog, Kai, but they both work downtown for affiliates of CenterState CEO. Q. Now that you live in the city, have you discovered other benefits to urban life or any unexpected surprises? A. Yes! We’ve found that our neighbors and local business owners are very friendly. It’s become our urban neighborhood. It’s nice to be able to walk around and recognize friendly faces in this mid-sized city. When meeting up with friends, it’s a benefit when you don’t have to worry about whose turn it is to drive; which is very helpful when your friends live downtown as well. Now, the decision involves choosing which downtown neighborhood to meet up in. Q. Do you take advantage of downtown shops and restaurants on a regular basis? A. Yes, we are true advocates of supporting local businesses and keeping the money in the community. We love not having to drive everywhere, and we spend less money on gas. It’s extremely convenient to be able to walk down the street to shop or eat. Plus, I don’t’ feel so guilty after loading up on the delicious carbs I consume – I walk it off, particularly if I take the long way home. Q. Do you find that you need your vehicle less because you live downtown? Would it be possible to live downtown without a vehicle? A. We don’t need our vehicle living downtown. We may drive it once a week to go grocery shopping, taking out-of-town trips or for work-related excursions. We may fill up our tank maybe once a month. Q. Do you own a dog? Is Downtown Syracuse dog friendly? A. Yes, we have a dog, Kai. He’ll tell you he loves living downtown! He’s welcome on the patios of most restaurants and even offered treats or water while we dine. Plus, he’s a sucker for all the attention he gets. We definitely consider Syracuse a dog-friendly city. In fact that’s one of the many features we love about it! Many of our neighbors have dogs. Most of the pups I’ve seen are very well-behaved and friendly; which makes it easier for our pooches to interact and make friends as well. We need to make a downtown dog park a reality. “We have family and friends that visit us more just because of our walking proximity to so many restaurants and actvities.” Q. If someone you know was considering moving to Downtown Syracuse, what would you say to convince them to locate here? A. Do it! There’s so much to do and see living downtown. Location, location, location! We can participate in the many festivals that are right outside our door and don’t have to worry about finding a place to park to get to them. When we get tired, we don’t have far to go to get home. We have family and friends that visit us more just because of our walking proximity to so many restaurants and activities.