Jamestown, New York (Dunkirk, Fredonia: jobs, campus, college)

[backhome4good]

I moved my family here 5 years ago now; my husband, two elementary school age children and me. So, a young middle class family. We moved from down south and the "booming economy" to this "depressed" area. I have an opposite view as some of the other postings on here though. I have found that even though our wages have dropped, substantially, our standard of living has greatly increased. Life is rather simple here.

For those that talk about high crime rates I assume they are from here. I have seen nothing like what became everyday news down south. Drugs, yes, they are everywhere not just Jamestown. I think a high crime rate is assumed because everybody knows everything that happens in this little town.

The things I love here are that I know all of my neighbors. They each came by to welcome us when we moved in. I know all of my kids friends, their friends parents and each one of their friends sibblings. If there is a problem with anything it is easy to find the person with the power to help you, its a small town so your elected officials are probably your neighbor. The region as a whole is beautiful, my husband says every weekend seems like a vacation. I must agree.

People here complain about the taxes, this is one point I won't disagree on. Things are going in the right direction though and as for the school taxes I don't complain. My kids get an education here that is second to none. I think this is a great area to live and recommend it highly.

I will also say this, over the 5 years we have been here the change has been remarkable. The funding coming in to revitalize this area has had a great impact that only continues to increase. If you are going to buy a home here the chance of also recieving some grant money for work that needs to be done is very high. I believe there is also money available for business owners as well.

Another point I would like to make is that the standard we encountered down south to "keep up with the Joneses" is not here. The field that I work in allows me the knowledge of how many people, including the accused drugged out youth, that are purchasing real estate, cars and the like with CASH! This place is not nearly as depressed as some are quick to lable it but it does have a large population that was raised to value a dollar and they are therefore far less indebted to creditors.

[ukikkgr]

I lived in Chautuqua County for eight years of my life... and although the place is beautiful it is also pretty jobless. Unless you are self employed or are independently wealthy I can't imagine finding a job that would provide a satisfactory level of living. I worked for a non-profit agency (plenty of work there as health and human services is a big industry there) and after rent, food etc there was little else. Still some of my best times were spent living in the area, and people are as nice as apple pie. As close to the 'midwest' as I'll ever get. I can't recommend it... and I cannot not recommend it.

[WILWRadio]

I've lived in enough places in the Midwest to know that the grass is not always greener on the other side, especially the Kansas City area. The people are pretentious and phony and not all that friendly. What an attitude. I'd live in Jamestown in a heartbeat if there was a market for my small business. Unfortunately there is not.

I've studied crime stats on numerous cities and towns and Jamestown is not all that bad. It's crime rate is lower than the national average and is better than most cities of 30,000 people. My friend's parents owned a home on the lake at Bemus Point and we used to enjoy visiting the area. And you have a great Swedish Bakery in Eckloff's!

[cityevents4u]

I have had the opportunity to be involved with the production of a large event in the Jamestown, New York Area for the past two years. We were all pleased with the support from the local citizens and the surrounding communities. We offered great food, live music and a beer garden. I must say, everyone was there just to have fun. We had no problems and the crowds were focused on eating great food, listening to great music and talking with friends they hadn't seen in a while. This community has been very welcoming.

[algusa007]

My wife and I, we go immigrate to the Usa (Astoria, NY).. I'll go to Astoria and it is beautiful there. I love the Bridge and countryside; but the problem, once there low it is work, is this somebody can proposed to me how sought work, or suggested work in: , catering, supermarket, hotel trade...I will be very grateful to you

[WILWRadio]

Algusa007. Astoria is in Queens, which is a suburb of New York City . You should pose your question to the following message board:

New York City Forum - Relocation, Moving, Local City Discussions - City-Data Forum

[rickinct]

hello, all, i have been checking out the real estate in the jamestown area for a while now, specifically the commercial. i was planning a trip out there from connecticut when the weather broke to look at some restaurants and bars that seem to be constantly on the market out there. the comments on this particular thread have actually caused me to rethink the situation and consider that maybe it's not so bad right here where i live now- NE Connecticut- the real estate is not dirt cheap, but you can still make out ok and while the economy is tough, eventually you can get something going here. taxes are relatively stable and the school systems are constantly rated in the country's top 10. if you want some small town living, with the exception of hartford and the SW 1/4 of the state, practically every town in connecticut is a small town! i live in a small town of 5500, there is a larger town 8 minutes down the road with a population of 9000. boston is 45 min. away, worcester mass is 20 minutes, and plenty of people live here and work or go to college there. there are plenty of college grads out here as well as hippies, minorities, farmers, professionals and what have you. the minority situation out here is perhaps better than other parts of the country in that there's a little bit of everyone out here so you really feel a balance to things.
there are drug problems out here, but it's everywhere these days, and every town has a section you try to not think about, am i right?
the down side is that it is very difficult to get approved for a loan by any bank out here if you are a 'normal' working stiff. there are a lot of famous types moving into the area, takign advantage of the cheap (to them!) land prices. you can still pick up 50 acre lots out here, but not at upstate prices by any stretch...

[coolyermer]

this site has been a great read.
i'm from Ireland and my fiance is from Australia, we have been looking into the property for sale and like my friend (rickinct) commented Jamestown is very cheap to us, and we plan to take advantage. After all who wants a 50year morgage, right?
I would like to know how locals would treat us if this is to become our home one day.
Please be honest.

[gold dust]

Originally Posted by backhome4good

I moved my family here 5 years ago now; my husband, two elementary school age children and me. So, a young middle class family. We moved from down south and the "booming economy" to this "depressed" area. I have an opposite view as some of the other postings on here though. I have found that even though our wages have dropped, substantially, our standard of living has greatly increased. Life is rather simple here.

For those that talk about high crime rates I assume they are from here. I have seen nothing like what became everyday news down south. Drugs, yes, they are everywhere not just Jamestown. I think a high crime rate is assumed because everybody knows everything that happens in this little town.

The things I love here are that I know all of my neighbors. They each came by to welcome us when we moved in. I know all of my kids friends, their friends parents and each one of their friends sibblings. If there is a problem with anything it is easy to find the person with the power to help you, its a small town so your elected officials are probably your neighbor. The region as a whole is beautiful, my husband says every weekend seems like a vacation. I must agree.

People here complain about the taxes, this is one point I won't disagree on. Things are going in the right direction though and as for the school taxes I don't complain. My kids get an education here that is second to none. I think this is a great area to live and recommend it highly.

I will also say this, over the 5 years we have been here the change has been remarkable. The funding coming in to revitalize this area has had a great impact that only continues to increase. If you are going to buy a home here the chance of also recieving some grant money for work that needs to be done is very high. I believe there is also money available for business owners as well.

Another point I would like to make is that the standard we encountered down south to "keep up with the Joneses" is not here. The field that I work in allows me the knowledge of how many people, including the accused drugged out youth, that are purchasing real estate, cars and the like with CASH! This place is not nearly as depressed as some are quick to lable it but it does have a large population that was raised to value a dollar and they are therefore far less indebted to creditors.

I wish more people would think like this. kudos backhome4good!

[judd151]

I love it here! I grew up here Lived in Buffalo (which I didn't care for) for 6 years and finally returned with my B.S. Degree. I had a job within 2 weeks of my return. Another of my friends returned from school with a degree and had a job upon arrival. There are jobs here but I will agree It is very difficult to get a job as a laborer and I will agree that the economy is not great at all. I was bored here as a teenager, but now older and more settled I enjoy the things I took for granted before. I love the lake, I love skiing, golf, hunting, fishing and having many great friends and family here doesn't hurt. The town needs a rebirth and the only ones that can do that are the people that live here. I think this is a great place with high potential and hopefully with a little community it can make a turnaround from the direction it seems to be heading over the last few decades.