What is Binghamton like? (Syracuse, Albany: home, unemployment rate, university)

[Bkcloud114]

After living in NYC my entire life, my wife and I decided it was time to leave. We found this beautiful area and decided to call this our new home. I am so tired of hearing the natives of this area complain about it. They don't realize how good they have it.

As my mother-in-law once said: If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

[upstate--uk]

Originally Posted by Bkcloud114

After living in NYC my entire life, my wife and I decided it was time to leave. We found this beautiful area and decided to call this our new home. I am so tired of hearing the natives of this area complain about it. They don't realize how good they have it.

As my mother-in-law once said: If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

That is the truth.

[omadsa]

I'm incredibly confused with all the hot and cold responses about the Binghamton area. My husband currently works in Vestal -- and we're relocating to the area from Ithaca this month (gas and housing prices are simply too high).

We're moving to the West Side, and it looks like a beautiful neighborhood. Can anyone provide me with an objective view on the area? Things to do? If a revitalization is actually happening? Etc.? I'm not looking to hear again (and again) that it is a "hole," as someone put it. Of course, it won't be Ithaca, but there must be a reason people live there and have posted positive remarks. Some more info would be helpful.

[Tioga]

To fully enjoy living here....learn about, and make use of the entire area. What do you want to do...indoor stuff...outdoor sports...the arts? It's what you make of it.

[mtutiger]

After a few days of living here, I can safely say that I have absolutely no apprehension about living in Binghamton. Very nice city, there's a decent amount of stuff that's going on, the city government seems to like the idea of knocking down dilapidated buildings in order to bring about change (which seems to be a tough choice for a lot of towns), etc.

[Tioga]

LOW cost of housing and land, Well built older homes, good mix of rural/suburban/urban places to live, 2 local colleges, proximity to rts 17/81 for travel in all directions, (in general) good schools, LACK OF (95% of the time) "Hell" weather....tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards in May, droughts, 110" degree daily temps, sauna "like" summers. Chiggers-NOT, fireants-NOT, ticks-very minimal, other creatures with a nasty bite or sting-rare. And on I continue....towns that actually have a town center..not just endless cul-de-sacs. a ~ fairly tolerant populace. More?....hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, camping, and other outdoor activities all within a 10-30 minute drive from most places. More you ask?....lots of local history to check out ....the Roberson center, the Kopernik observatory, smaller local museums, the Binghamton Mets minor league baseball team, many antique shops and a regular weekly antique show, opera(not my thing..but..), local live theatre(2-?), some excellent local eateries, coffee shops and the like, a (VERY slowly) improving manufacturing sector, first rate snow removal by the local govts(Don't believe me..ask others about snow removal in the midwest or to the south of us). How about a lack of a large "transient/down and out population" (L.A., and other big cities in the southwest. )A population that actually has folks that have roots here..not just hopping on the "next great place to live" bandwagon. And on and on...

[mtutiger]

Thanks for the info! So far, I've been to the Cybercafe and Lost Dog, both pretty awesome places. It seems like they have bands every night, which can't be said for the other places I've been in my life.

I'll probably do some looking around tomorrow as well... being a Twilight Zone fan, I believe I'll visit Recreation Park, perhaps see his boyhood home as well, perhaps a few other things.... probably'll attend the B-Mets doubleheader as well! Hopefully the weather holds up.

[artyst]

i'll be visiting binghamton soon and i can't wait! i'll be downtown for first friday in june

[yoz1967]

Binghamton is a dump, I feel panic when I come back there. I grew up there and left for Panama City Florida as soon as I graduated in 87 and I miss alot about Bingo like family and friends that are still there but that place is awfull, come to the sun and white beach and emerald green water and no snow, you have to stay in Bingo and never leave cause if you do you just can't force yourself to ever move back.

[JimCali]

Hey Targetsh,

I couldn't agree with you more. I have also relocated to Binghamton and I love it. There are many good people here and downtown has a real charm to it. I believe the City is alive and well and will prosper even more in light of the changing economy in our country. I left NYC for rural Florida and found it too tough for me. As the price of gasoline went up it became even harder.
I'm back in a City environment and I love it.