Olean/western new york (Buffalo, Allegany: ski resort, real estate, apartment)

[MissPat]

Hello;

I am looking for people's general impression of the Olean area, Allegany county, --basically western New York, along the PA border. I know it is rural, but what are the people like, the economy, the cost of living, the general "vibes"? Thank you in advance for replies...
Miss Pat

[warm heatherette]

There are two big positives about this part of WNY - the Allegenies themselves and Chatauqua (the lake & the Institution). The Allegenies are a beautiful scenic range, and is also NY's best ski country, with Holiday Valley at Ellicotville being a top-notch ski resort. Ellicotville is a beautiful historic town with tourism related business probably being the biggest boon to their economy. The same could be said for Chatauqua. This area of WNY is lovely, but as for the job situation and general state of the economy, it's probably like the majority of WNY - hurtin.

[flgrammie]

Olean used to be wonderful in the "old days". Sadly, it's a lot diffent now.

[Sigspeaker182]

I lived in Olean for over 2 years, and I ended up moving to Virginia. The job market in rural New York is not good, unless you desire $7 an hour, or you're a doctor, teacher or lawyer. There's a country club atmosphere among city workers in Olean. City council put Olean into a several million dollar debt but all the city workers and council refuse to take pay cuts or benefit cuts. People are being charged $135 quarterly to use low amounts of water/sewage. Hooligans from Buffalo are moving down (cheap rent 4-$500) and bringing their drugs with them. The landlords rent to them anyway, just turn the other cheek. It's become a zoo. I live in Galax, VA (Southwest VA) now. Up on a hill where I have about 10 neighbors who work for a living and are quiet and respectable, unlike many folks in Olean.

[livecontent]

You may find this websit very helpful Discover Southwest New York - Welcome!

[JoannaT]

Hello,
I was born and raised in Olean and what everyone has said so far is true. Almost all the real estate on the main drag and the mall are owned by one family and they charge such a high rent to businesses that they can't afford to stay open. There are a ton of dirt bags lurking around the union street/state street area but where I live now I can regularly watch people breaking into cars from my apartment window. The nice things about Olean include the public library which hosts many lovely programs, there is a paved nature/bike loop between Olean and Allegany that's fairly new, I would say the BEST PIZZA in the world (Tasta on State St., Napoli on E. State St. and Renna's in the mall), plenty of fairly friendly local and college bars, Rock City Park is a few miles out of town and boasts large quartz conglomerates the size of houses scattered on a wooded hillside that you can climb over under and in between, Allegany State Park about 30 minutes drive, and everyone in Olean drives to Buffalo or Erie PA for shopping (think of the money you'll save by not shopping whenever you want!). Of course, I'll never move back there b/c there are NO Job opportunities and some people there have the small town mentality of never forgive, never forget plus I heard the drug thing is getting a little crazy, but if you call the police, they'll show up. The houses have no charm but most the neighborhoods are walkable. That's about all I did as a teenager is take LONG walks or bike rides up and down the main street and side streets with my friends. Best of luck.

[aka_mouse]

Originally Posted by Sigspeaker182

Hooligans from Buffalo are moving down (cheap rent 4-$500) and bringing their drugs with them. The landlords rent to them anyway, just turn the other cheek.

This is completely dumb... $500... cheap rent? In WNY? At this point Im wondering if you have ever been to Western NY, let alone Buffalo

$500 is a suburban 1000sq ft 2br apt rent. IOW - A nice place to live. Just a couple hundred more a month and you are in the luxury range.

If you are slumming it on $500 , you are getting ripped off, and you probably deserve it for being that dumb. If you are gonna go ghetto you can just rent an entire huge east side house for $80/month

[oktaren]

I don't know about Olean, but Chatuauqua County is awesome. Cattaraugus is great too...if you would like anymore info on these regions, let me know, ill help out as much as possible.