Moving from Houston TX to Binghamton NY (New York, Buffalo: upper-class, fit in)

[Tioga]

..JimCali...thanks for even handed view of "triple cities". While I live to the west of Binghamton about 20 miles or so, I have often stepped in on threads about the southern tier to offer some positive counterpoints. Having been around the U.S. for work, school, the military, and travel, I feel almost ANYPLACE can offer pros/cons for relocation there. And as you've mentioned being from NYC, I've seen a slow-but-steady influx of NYC'ers, NewJerseyites, and Long Islanders buying rural places out around me and throughout my county...esp..since 9/11.

[grdnrman]

Hello yakti, sidi, & daughter,

This is the first of several Posts about possible relocation cities in Upstate New York for your family to consider. Because of information you had heard previously and the closeness to NYC, you had been considering relocating to Binghamton NY. People commented that Binghamton might not be your best choice.

I'll tell you right here and now, that as soon as people read my suggestion of Buffalo as a place for you to consider, they will tell you all the negative points they feel about Buffalo; I would ask you to keep an open objective mind about Buffalo. I know that I could live in the Suburbans area there and be happy and comfortable.

Since you now live in the huge city of Houston TX, I thought I would suggest Buffalo to you because it too is a large city, (NY State's 2nd biggest city) altho not nearly as large as Houston. I'm going to suggest that you do additional research on Buffalo, the things that you feel are most important to you and which I'm not aware.

I am not suggesting that you necessarily buy a home in Buffalo city itself, unless that is what you decide to do. I would suggest that you concentrate your home search in the Suburban area northeast of Buffalo city. I especially like the Township of Clarence and Township of Amherst>> the Suburbs of Clarence Center, East Amherst, and Getzville=nice neighborhoods in that whole Suburban area.

Below I am going to Post many Link Lines which you can access to see photos and read information about the Metro Buffalo area.
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Metro Buffalo Photos>>

Metro Buffalo With Erie Basin Marina ~ Aerial Photo
... http://photography-plus.com/fullPic.asp?picID=430
Erie Basin Marina ~ Aerial Photo
... http://photography-plus.com/fullPic.asp?picID=1357
... www.pbase.com/dhnieman/image/77496306
Small Boat Harbor NFTA (Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority)
... http://photography-plus.com/fullPic.asp?picID=431
Niagara River Looking North ~ Buffalo On Right Side Of Photo
... http://photography-plus.com/fullPic.asp?picID=428
Waterfront Buffalo
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc46475.php
Waterfront-Housing-Skyline
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc46477.php
Skyline Buffalo
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc46479.php
Downtown Buffalo
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc46484.php
Exchange Street Nighttime Buffalo
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc5938.php
Nighttime Buffalo Reflection On Lake Erie
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc37356.php
Sunset Skyline Buffalo
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BuffaloSkyline.jpg
Buffalo Historical Society & Library
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bu...al_Society.jpg
Buffalo Botanical Gardens
... www.pbase.com/dhnieman/image/127524230
Albright Knox Art Gallery
... www.pbase.com/dhnieman/image/114071498
"Buffalo"
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc26017.php
Buffalo Bills Football Stadium
... http://www.skylinepictures.com/Buffa...s_b13_full.htm
... http://www.skylinepictures.com/Buffa...s_b26_full.htm
Buffalo Bison Baseball Stadium
... http://photography-plus.com/fullPic.asp?picID=427

Events-Festivals-Concerts Buffalo ~ ANNUAL EVENTS>>

Allentown Neighborhood Art Festival ~ Buffalo
... www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv19118.php
Taste Of Buffalo - Food Sampling - Info
... www.tasteofbuffalo.com/
Taste Of Buffalo - Food Sampling - Photos
... http://www.tasteofbuffalo.com/2012-e...tosvideo-clips
Many Events
... www.bestofwny.com/concerts_festivals/

Jazz
... www.coloredmusiciansclub.org/festival.html
Lewiston Jazz Fest
... www.lewistonjazz.com/
Live Music Concerts
... www.tralfmusichall.com/
Tonawanda Canal Fest
... www.canalfest.org/eventschedule.html
... www.canalfest.org/cftphotos.html
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That concludes this first portion of my presentation about Buffalo NY. I have more comments, info, and photos for Buffalo to Post for you in my next message. Check back for the continuation of my Buffalo post.

grdnrman

[grdnrman]

Hello yakti, sidi, & daughter,

Here is the continuation of information about the Metro Buffalo MSA area.

Buffalo NY is on the major highway Interstate 90 (New York State Thruway) which leads westward toward Ohio and the Mid-Western States AND eastward toward Albany & Boston and connects to Interstate 390 near Rochester and goes southward toward the Southern Tier of New York State and toward Pennsylvania & toward NY City; at Syracuse Interstate 90 connects with Interstate 81 which leads north to Canada & south to Pennsylvania; at Albany Interstate 90 connects with Interstate 87 leads north to Canada/Montreal and leads south to New York City. These are all 4 lane expressways making travel easier and with few delays.

AmTRAK Train service Eastward toward NY City and Westward toward Chicago operates out of Buffalo. The International Airport at Buffalo has many direct flights to many U.S. destinations including New York City, Boston, Washington, & Chicago.

Buffalo has several good ratings compared to other U.S. Cities. Buffalo is among the top 10 (out of 100 cities) most affordable home buying major Metro City Areas in the whole country. It is also rated as A.) having a reasonable cost of living (20% less expensive to live here than the U.S. average), B.) good place to raise a family, C.) a best place to relocate-to in the U.S., D.) among cities on the edge of greatness, E.) a safe BIG population city in which to live.

Buffalo Overview>>
... http://hr.buffalo.edu/index.php?modu...sition=402:402

When we say Buffalo, actually it is the Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metro MSA Area. Following is information and photos about Niagara Falls. You can see, enjoy the falls on both the American & Canadian side of the falls.

NIAGARA FALLS NY & ONT CANADA>>>
The Falls
Information
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Falls
... www.niagara-usa.com
Photos
... http://www.niagarafallslive.com/phot...gara_falls.htm
Maid of the Mist Boat Cruise
... http://www.niagarafallslive.com/niag...f_the_mist.htm
Speed Jetboat Ride
... http://www.niagarafallslive.com/niag...l_jetboat_.htm
Prospect Point Park Observation Tower=NY State
... http://www.niagarafallslive.com/imag...ationtower.jpg
... http://www.seyeneco.com/pages/pictur...2-picture.html
Skylon Tower=Ontario
... www.niagarafallslive.com/Skylon_Tower.htm
Queen Victoria Park Flower Gardens=Ontario
... http://www.niagaraparks.com/garden-t...oria-park.html
... http://www.niagaraparks.com/garden-t...ral-clock.html
... http://www.niagaraparks.com/garden-t...showhouse.html
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When you are in the mood to visit a REAL-BIG city, Buffalo has a "neighboring" city just 60 miles northwest in Ontario-Canada; it is the fantastic city of Toronto. I'll let you do research on Toronto but I do have a few photos below for you to see.

Looking Toward Toronto From Lake Ontario
... http://phototravelpages.com/canada/o...line_large.jpg
Aerial View From Above Toronto Looking Toward Lake Ontario
... http://www.globalairphotos.com/large...own/2006/368/2
Above Lake Ontario Looking Toward Toronto
... http://www.globalairphotos.com/large...own/2006/122/2
Nighttime Toronto Lights Glow On Lake Ontario
... http://www.hickerphoto.com/images/10...nada_37600.jpg
Toronto Nighttime Lights Reflect On Lake Ontario
... http://www.canada-photos.com/picture...tions-6296.htm
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This concludes my information about possible relocation to the Metro Buffalo NY area. You will need to do additional research, consider all your new relocation city requirements, and arrive at a decision as to whether or not Buffalo will/would meet all your family's needs. Best of luck to you. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me.

grdnrman

[grdnrman]

Hello yakti, sidi, & daughter,

Here is another place for you to consider as a reloction city; Rochester NY.

I always say Rochester NY is one of my two favorite/best large Upstate New York cities. The Metro Rochester area is somewhat smaller than Buffalo NY and bigger than the Capital District Cities area (Albany-Schenectady-Troy-Cohoes). Rochester has diversity of citizenry of nationality backgrounds, religions, cultures, lifestyles, income levels, age groups, education; multiple aspects. I like the city in part, because it has "balance", is "solid" in many ways.

Metro Rochester/Suburban areas have good to excellent school districts, many colleges, hospitals, museums, churches, events-festivals-concerts-attractions, many golf courses, entertainment, nightlife, live music, good restaurants, public parks, great malls & shopping plazas, recreation opportunities, excellent expressways/Interstate highways, international airport with major airline flights, has AmTRAK Train service=east toward NYC & west toward Chicago, and so much more to offer.

There are many types of neighborhoods within the city; from low-income to nice upscale areas. I especially like many of the suburbs. Outside the west side of Rochester city are the Suburban areas in the Townships of Greece, Gates, & Chili; mostly nice middle-class suburbs & countryside. Countryside villages/suburbs of: Hilton, Spencerport, Brockport, Churchville, Scottsville, Mumford, Victor, Macedon, others; even Canandaigua many miles away has residents who commute to Rochester for work. East and southeast of Rochester city are the Townships of Webster, Penfield, Perinton, & Pittsford. The downtown business areas of Fairport and Pittsford both have the Erie Canal running through their downtowns and nice pleasant unique shops, restaurants, businesses to leisurely walk/browse and enjoy; very safe, walkable, enjoyable village downtowns. Some of the most upscale residential neighborhoods are in Pittsford suburb. All those east/southeast Townships have beautiful homes and neighborhoods; you could not ask for nicer places.

There is no way for me to tell you everything about Rochester, so I will Post the following basic information and photos for you to read, see, and review; this info will get you started on your research. My opinion is that Rochester is a good decent quality city which you should consider as a possible relocation new hometown. You can "search" the internet for more information.
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Information Rochester NY>>>

All About Rochester:
... http://www.frontiernet.net/wrfugate/...m#superlatives
... http://www.frontiernet.net/wrfugate/..._rochester.htm
... http://wikitravel.org/en/Rochester_%28New_York%29
Events-Festivals Rochester:
www.rochesternysites.com/eventsk.htm

Photos Rochester:

Aerial View Rochester NY
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ro...ug_17_2007.jpg
Skyline Downtown Rochester
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rochester_picture.jpg
Boats On The Genesee River
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ro...ochesterNY.jpg
Downtown Rochester At Night
... www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv25429.php
George Eastman House Museum Of Photography
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ge...3DExterior.JPG
Rochester Eastman Theater
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ro...-_Exterior.jpg
Annual Lilac Festival
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Li...tival_2005.JPG
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The above is the information about Rochester city that I have for you. I will continue Suburban Rochester information and photos on Page 2x which you can read below.

grdnrman

[BuffalonianPride]

Binghamton has a small town feel with some big city things.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by BuffalonianPride

Binghamton has a small town feel with some big city things.

I actually agree. They have an opera, a symphony, Division 1 college sports, Minor League Baseball(AA) and Hockey(AHL), an Art Walk/Scene, a Little Italy in Endicott, a strong Polish/Ukrainian character in Johnson City, a zoo, 2 or 3 hospitals, there's a community college along with Binghamton University, festivals and more. So, it offers quite a bit for its size.

[grdnrman]

Hello yakti, sidi, & daughter,

The Rochester NY Metro area is located on Lake Ontario. It is the 2nd largest population (approx. 1,035,000) Metro City in UPSTATE New York after larger Buffalo. Rochester is nationally rated in the top 20, out of the 100 largest U.S. cities, most affordable home buying cities in the country. Other best ratings include: has a reasonable cost of living, is a most livable city, is a good place to raise a family, has a good quality of life, as well as other good rated qualities.

Rochester has an evident "sprawling" aspect with its Suburbs being built farther and farther from the downtown center city. The topography closer to Lake Ontario is relatively flat. The topography closer to Fairport suburb and eastward toward Macedon, southeastward toward Victor, southward toward Mendon is a combination of gently rolling landmass and of high hills on which more and more home developments are being constructed. Some of these hillside homes have nice scenic views and all of these new home areas are lovely well-maintained suburban neighborhoods.
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I selected two Suburbs on which to post information and photos. Either of these Suburbs (others too) would be nice places for your family to live.

One suburb is Pittsford NY.

Introduction to Pittsford NY:
... http://www.smalltowngems.com/browset...wnhistory.html

Photos Pittsford NY:
... http://www.smalltowngems.com/browset...dnyphotos.html

Another suburb is Fairport NY.

Introduction to Fairport NY:
... www.fairport.ny.us/About_Fairport.cfm

Photos Fairport NY:

Canal Winds Its Way Through Center Of Fairport - Walkways Along Both Sides Of The Canal
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc18491.php
Village Park With Gazebo On The Erie Canal Banks
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc33431.php
Canal Dockmasters Headquarters
... www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv19641.php
Boats Docked Along The Canal
... www.nycanals.com/Image:Fairport_Docks_3.jpg
... www.nycanals.com/Image:Fairport_Docks.jpg
Lift-Bridge On Main Street Over Canal & Walkways Along Canal
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc25203.php
Fairport Canal Days Along The Canal
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc25204.php
... www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv19833.php
Erie Canal Boats At Fairport
... www.tug44.org/erie.canal/fairport/

There is another town where many of its residents commute to work at Rochester. This town is Canandaigua NY, many miles out in the countryside on one of the beautiful Finger Lakes named Canandaigua Lake. Below is information about Canandaigua.

Information & Photos Canandaigua NY:

The City
... http://www.livingplaces.com/NY/Ontar...igua_City.html
... www.city-data.com/city/Canandaigua-New-York.html
Historic District
... http://www.livingplaces.com/NY/Ontar..._District.html
North Main Street Historic District
... http://www.livingplaces.com/NY/Ontar..._District.html
Museum-Sonnenberg Mansion & Gardens Museum
... http://www.sonnenberg.org/store.asp?...20&catid=19990
... http://www.sonnenberg.org/store.asp?...13&catid=19990
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:So..._New_York..jpg
... http://www.sonnenberg.org/store.asp?...14&catid=19990
... http://visitfingerlakes.com/listings...historic-park/
Museum-Granger Homestead & Carriage Museum
... http://www.grangerhomestead.org/inde...sit/publictour
... http://www.grangerhomestead.org/inde...xplore/mansion
... http://visitfingerlakes.com/listings...arriage-museum
Victorian Homes & Buildings in Canandaigua
... www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc48984.php
... www.innonthemain.com/
... www.bellarosebb.com/
... www.oliverphelps.com/
Canandaigua Lake Boat Cruises
... www.steamboatlandingonline.com/
Canandaigua Lady Steamboat Photo
... http://www.visitfingerlakes.com/list...andaigua-lady/
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This concludes the information and photos I have for you on Rochester NY & a few of its Suburbs.

grdnrman

[sidiyakti]

Originally Posted by grdnrman

Hello Sidi & Yakti,

You said to keep on sending information to you so you can determine the correct direction to be headed regarding where to relocate here in Upstate New York. If I could drive you all around the small/large cities here in Upstate NY for one week and explain the advantages and disadvantages of various cities, I would do that and I think you would have a very clear idea / great ability to make your relocation decision. We can't do that so I'll try my very best to steer you toward the right direction in my Posts information; I don't want to see you select the wrong relocation area for your family and endup being unhappy.

You said, we "NEED BRUTAL HONESTY..."

You also said that your realtor asked you, "Why are you wanting to re-locate to Binghamton?" I guess I would ask you the same question. "BRUTAL HONESTY"=Truthfully, honestly, I do not believe from what you have said in your several "Posts", that Binghamton is the "best" place for what you have indicated you are looking for. (Binghamton would be just fine for some other people). I will Post what I think are the "best" towns/cities for you to consider in my next 2 posts that I will write to you.

In this Post I want to show you several examples of typical existing homes that you can find For Sale here in 3 suburbs of Syracuse. Your Binghamton realtor has showed you photos & info about homes available around Binghamton. My info will be somewhat similar (please realize that I have nothing to do with the real estate business in any way)(knowing about Suburban Syr. homes is a "hobby" for me). Also, I want to make it very clear to you that I'm not suggesting that the Metro Syracuse Area is the ONE "best" place for you to relocate. Metro Syracuse is just one of several places for YOU to consider; I can't decide for you.

I do not know what type home you are looking for nor the price range nor the square footage/size - etc. So I have selected some mid-size homes for you to view. There are photos and home info sheets covering each home. All these homes are located in good middle-class communities with good school districts. If you want to see homes in more expensive Upscale Suburbs (Manlius, Fayetteville, Skaneatles, Cazenovia), there are listings for homes in those Suburbs.
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Below are a few homes located in 3 northern Suburbs of Syr. listed by their community. These Suburbs are:
1.) Safe - 2.) Good schools - 3.) Reasonable cost of living - 4.) Good place to raise a family - 5.) Have nice nearby Parks - 6.) Working middle-class residents - 7.) Near good shopping - 8.) Good highways into the city and to all around the whole Metro Area/no traffic jams OR only very short delays - 9.) All drivers MUST have insurance - 10.) You can take AmTrak Train, Bus, or Airline to NY City from Syracuse - 11.) Metro Syracuse is an easy drive to bigger cities like Toronto-fantastic, Ottawa/Hull, Montreal-european feel, Quebec City-very european, Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC; also Train or Plane to Chicago. - 12.) More qualities.

CICERO NY. Near/On huge Oneida Lake. Convenient to Interstate 81>>>

www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S276435&AgentID=
... A lot of sq. ft. for the price.
www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S273670&AgentID=
... Located in a "best" neighborhood of Cicero.
www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S273252&AgentID=
... Priced below value.
www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S269174&AgentID=
... Contemporary style home. A "best" neighborhood. A lot of sq. ft. for the price.
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RADISSON community at Baldwinsville NY. Nice community built among mature tree Forests, small lakes/ponds, paved meandering walking-jogging-biking trails, small wildlife=birds/ducks/fish/rabbits/squirrels, all residents have use of golf course, tennis courts, parks. Located east of the village of Baldwinsville.>>>

www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S275926&AgentID=
... Details on info sheet.
www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S274010&AgentID=
... Beautiful contemporary home. Priced correct at value.
www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S275699&AgentID=
... Colonial style home. Priced below value.
www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S275486&AgentID=
... Priced correct at value.
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LIVERPOOL NY - north. Parts of Liverpool are on Onondaga Lake & Park.>>> . . . . . . . . . . .(Liverpool is a very large area)

www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S272599&AgentID=
... Priced below value.
www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S272358&AgentID=
... Details on info sheet.
www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S264119&AgentID=
... A lot of sq. ft. for the price.
www.syr.interealty.com/propsearch/PropertyDetail.asp?Code=&ML=S270775&AgentID=
... Details on info sheet.
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You can compare these homes to ones your Binghamton realtor has shown you.

Re-reading everything in all the above Posts, I do think that I have the ONE "best" (maybe perfect) city that meets all the requirements you have stated for you, your husband, and your daughter. No I'm not going to reveal that place in this Post today; I want to present you with ALL the cities that you should consider before I name that ONE place. Check back for my future info.

Please feel free to contact me here or in private messages whenever you want to "talk".

grdnrman

I looked at all of them and they are lovely, I dont want to live in a "Cookie Cutter" house, where all of the houses are the same and 8 ft apart, I want to live in a more Urban area, if that makes any sence and I would like to be close to downtown. Perhaps I am asking too much. We need 3 bedrooms and 2 baths is good but 2 1/2 would be ideal. I would love to have a basement and we need a back yard for the doggies. All of the perks of a subdivision are not important to us, like golf or tennis. We dont mind if its an older house and has been renovated, I for sure want wood floors and an updated kitchen and baths. My price range is ???? because we havent found work yet, where ever we move but we do have a stedy 3K per month so we would like to find a really great house with a lease or purchase option. An apt would just not work especially with the little ones (dogs). I have been reading about Cicero all morning and it sounds lovely and now moving on to read more of the the other details you sent to me, thank you so much and keep it coming. Cant wait for the Suprise Location!!!! Kind Regards, Yakti

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by sidiyakti

I looked at all of them and they are lovely, I dont want to live in a "Cookie Cutter" house, where all of the houses are the same and 8 ft apart, I want to live in a more Urban area, if that makes any sence and I would like to be close to downtown. Perhaps I am asking too much. We need 3 bedrooms and 2 baths is good but 2 1/2 would be ideal. I would love to have a basement and we need a back yard for the doggies. All of the perks of a subdivision are not important to us, like golf or tennis. We dont mind if its an older house and has been renovated, I for sure want wood floors and an updated kitchen and baths. My price range is ???? because we havent found work yet, where ever we move but we do have a stedy 3K per month so we would like to find a really great house with a lease or purchase option. An apt would just not work especially with the little ones (dogs). I have been reading about Cicero all morning and it sounds lovely and now moving on to read more of the the other details you sent to me, thank you so much and keep it coming. Cant wait for the Suprise Location!!!! Kind Regards, Yakti

Are you open to anywhere in NY State or do you only have certain places in mind? There are areas of many cities that could or should fit what you want. If you are still interested in Binghamton, I'd still look on that city's West Side.

[sidiyakti]

Hi Jim, and thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I have been so suprised at the negative responses we have received about Binghamton, one person said they are depressed to live there. That is really sad, I dont think if it was so bad it would have been published in Forbes and featured on the Today show as one of the top 5 places for real estate and best places to live in the US. We just are trying to figure out if it works for us and our life style. We have had another member really help us with different choices about upstate NY, we know we have to move but now is the question and where. The realtor from Bing said that rentals were hard to come by and an apt is not an option for us, so that presents another problem for us and with employment. I am a clinical psych and my husband a Network Engineer, our daughter is 16 and a junior in HS. Any information you can give is appreciated. P.S the realtor said that JC is the worst place full of drugs and gang activity, not a place for our daughter.....Kind regards, Yakti