Looking to move back to western New York (Buffalo, Rochester: housing, rent)

[beeze14219]

I lived in western New York for 18 years and then I went in to the Marine Corps for 20 years. My mother lives in Blasdell, New York. My family and I would love to move back to the area. The things we are looking for is a place where I can get a job and go to college. That way I will be able to get a job that pays well and I wont have to work 16 hours a day as I do now in Bakersfield California. We dont want a high crime area as we have been robbed twice since I got out of the corps. Currently I abandon oil wells. I was an instructor in communications in the Marine Corps but in the civilian world I was told I am to heavy to climb telephone poles. So what I am saying is we just want a nice place to settle where a job is possible and I can go back to college so my family can live like normal people where I can spend some quality time with them.

[aka_mouse]

Well theres colleges all over... Erie Community College campuses... Buff State, UB. ECC is cheap and great for people who are working.

I was actually born in Blasdell, and I live at home with the parents in Hamburg. Theres plenty of places to live that are pretty cheap, but they are cheap cause the job market isn't as good. I will say though, even with a not so great job you can find a decent place to live, either house (You can find stuff anywhere from $70k-$300k in the area and be in decent neighborhoods), a large apartment ($500-$700/mo), or even renting a house ($800-$1200 a month).

I would just check out the listings in the Buffalo News.. the NYS job sites.. Monster.com ... or the NYS DOL is an excellent resource. Thats what they are there for, to find people work. Also keep in mind, the lower wages go farther here. (I knew Bakersfield used to be dirt cheap, but Ive heard because of the housing speculation out in CA people we're fleeing even to places like Bakersfield and drove up prices there as well)

[Genghis]

There are some areas within the cities of Buffalo and Rochester themselves which are high crime, but outside the urban centers the crime rate is low. The job situation is more difficult however, probably below average for the country. Of course this depends on what field you're in. But it's not especially easy here for most people to build a secure comfy life, compared to other areas. It would kind of suck to move back home with your parents or something. No offense to aka_mouse

[aka_mouse]

Originally Posted by Genghis

There are some areas within the cities of Buffalo and Rochester themselves which are high crime, but outside the urban centers the crime rate is low. The job situation is more difficult however, probably below average for the country. Of course this depends on what field you're in. But it's not especially easy here for most people to build a secure comfy life, compared to other areas.

See this is the only part I don't buy into. You could have a husband and wife duo both practically working at a McDonalds and buy a house in this area. Yeah, your arn't going to be living in upscale neighborhoods in Amherst or Orchard Park... but who cares! Thats for RICH PEOPLE. Whether rich is multimillionaire in CA or pulling down $150k+ in WNY .. whats the difference?

So live in blasdell, or cheektowaga, or west seneca, or north tonawanda, or just about anywhere average. Decent communities that have spots that are very affordable. The problem nowadays is, no one wants to live within thier means. Everyone has this grossly exaggerated idea of the type of place they should be living.

And just to let you know, I didn't move back in with the folks, Ive stayed living with them to save money while Ive been going to school and don't really have a need to move out. I can get an apartment in a cool neighborhood for $400. Its just not financially prudent right now, and Im enjoying my easy life and focusing on what I need to get done.

[smalltownusa]

Originally Posted by aka_mouse

See this is the only part I don't buy into. You could have a husband and wife duo both practically working at a McDonalds and buy a house in this area. Yeah, your arn't going to be living in upscale neighborhoods in Amherst or Orchard Park... but who cares! Thats for RICH PEOPLE. Whether rich is multimillionaire in CA or pulling down $150k+ in WNY .. whats the difference?

So live in blasdell, or cheektowaga, or west seneca, or north tonawanda, or just about anywhere average. Decent communities that have spots that are very affordable. The problem nowadays is, no one wants to live within thier means. Everyone has this grossly exaggerated idea of the type of place they should be living.

And just to let you know, I didn't move back in with the folks, Ive stayed living with them to save money while Ive been going to school and don't really have a need to move out. I can get an apartment in a cool neighborhood for $400. Its just not financially prudent right now, and Im enjoying my easy life and focusing on what I need to get done.

Exactly....I live in the Richester area and I'm amazed at the new housing developments going up in the area from mid-range to mansions and then hear from others in the forum that we are in such an economically depressed area.....I guess I'd even begin to believe it if not for my drive through these areas on a regular basis....it's all relative and although no doubt Rochester and Buffalo have suffered through the years economically, they are by no means down and out cities and are actually beginning to turn around

[Genghis]

Originally Posted by aka_mouse

See this is the only part I don't buy into. You could have a husband and wife duo both practically working at a McDonalds and buy a house in this area. Yeah, your arn't going to be living in upscale neighborhoods in Amherst or Orchard Park... but who cares! Thats for RICH PEOPLE. Whether rich is multimillionaire in CA or pulling down $150k+ in WNY .. whats the difference?

So live in blasdell, or cheektowaga, or west seneca, or north tonawanda, or just about anywhere average. Decent communities that have spots that are very affordable. The problem nowadays is, no one wants to live within thier means. Everyone has this grossly exaggerated idea of the type of place they should be living.

And just to let you know, I didn't move back in with the folks, Ive stayed living with them to save money while Ive been going to school and don't really have a need to move out. I can get an apartment in a cool neighborhood for $400. Its just not financially prudent right now, and Im enjoying my easy life and focusing on what I need to get done.

I'm not saying housing is expensive here, just that the jobs you can get here are generally less good than the ones available elsewhere. If you don't mind working at McDonalds with your spouse, as you put it, then you can get a house in Cheektowaga and live a normal life. But I mean, if you move to some other cheap area of the country, like most of the Midwest for example, housing is approximately as cheap and you don't have to put up with flipping burgers. Or that white stuff that constantly is dripping from the sky all winter. Now the original poster has family in Blasdell, so there are other considerations with him. But I'm just saying, in general, no reason to relocate here for someone in his kind of situation.