Anyone considering leaving NYC for a more rural area or small town? Where and Why? (New York: ski resorts, house)

[Trailrunner79]

I've been in NYC for over two years now and am looking to leave. I'm interested in moving somewhere more outdoorsy either in the Northeast or Mid Atlantic. Does anyone have any good recommendations and also tired of the NYC grind? NYC is great, but I'm getting worn out and miss the forest, rivers, streams and mountains, since I'm big into outdoor sports.

I'm considering the following places:
State College, PA
Lake Placid Area
Vermont
New Hampshire
Pittsburgh
etc...

I do enjoy a vibrant community that's active, outdoorsy, athletic and has culture to some extent. Thanks!

[middle-of-nowhere]

You might actually miss NYC a few months after you leave. There are actually great outdoorsy small town areas still within NYC's influence. Areas around Dutchess and Ulster Counties come to mind.

But among the places you mentioned, I have lived in Burlington, VT for one year and there seemed quite a bit of former New Yorkers around. For a small town, the food was very sophisticated. Obviously not like NYC, but I dare you to find another city of 40,000 people with the food choices you get in Burlington. Montreal is just less than 2 hours to the north. At least 5-10 ski resorts within an hour's drive!

[mathjak107]

we have a house in lake wallenpaupack pa as well as live in bayside queens....while we love the rural life there is nothing like being in a big city also.... medical care, transportation, things to do and most of all the ability to buy anything without driving an hour is something you dont appreciate until you dont have it.

[Ace09]

i shouldnt go to Lake Placid... theres a huge crocodile there.

[clevedark]

There some very good threads on this very topic in City-Data. I remember some top destinations like Austin, TX, Brattleboro, VT, one in New Mexico. It's a fun topic.

[Nala8]

I've heard very good things about Vermont, especially in terms of its liberalism and artistic vibrancy. As for the cultural diversity, that's a good question. Wikipedia usually has some pretty good descriptions of specific cities, including demographics. You might also want to read or post some city-data threads asking for specifics.

Your original question asked if anyone is moving to a rural or small town. For what it is worth to you, I am in the process of moving back to Madison, WI, where I went to school and worked for about three years. After returning there for continuing education classes and vacations, off and on through the years, I can honestly say that while NYC definitely has it's perks, Madison is a better fit for me. It's more relaxed, liberal, culturally vibrant (the music, literary, and performing arts scene), and beautiful (natural surroundings, lakes). Madison is culturally diverse in comparison/contrast to other midwestern cities but has a ways to go. Hope this helps.

[Fred314X]

What I'm curious to know is how the respondents to this poll are divided. How many are New York City natives, and how many have moved here from someplace else.

[ohiogirl22]

State College is very very boring if you arent a college student.

[jenny1951]

I lived in NYC for 40 years....born and raised. I moved to Vermont 20 years ago and I have never looked back. I make a little less money, but I sure live better than I ever did in NYC. I could actually afford a home here. Schools are terrific, people are great...I go back to NY once a year and each year it looks dirtier, more congested and more depressing.

[ChasT]

Im from a small town of about 26,000 people and I hated it,I couldnt wait to leave.Maybe im just not a small town kind of a girl.