dont move to utica ny (Albany, New Hartford: best neighborhoods, real estate market, city hall)

[cjbuddyroe]

Originally Posted by sswebb37

Utica NY is one of the worst places to live I moved there when my husband died I thought it would be a nice place since it was upstate. But instead all thats up there is a lot of welfare receipants both black and white everybodys on crack the houses are bad and the jobs suck I will never ever live anywhere upstate again

I am deeply offended by this person's remarks. I do, however, understand how you feel. I was born and raised in Utica, NY. My family came to Utica as immigrants from Italy. Although I could not wait to get out unlike most of my relatives, I now realize as a fully grown adult how lucky I was to grow up there. Also, I went to school in Buffalo,NY. There are negatives elements in just about every city in America. Utica's are the welfare recipients (many are from the New York City area) and unfortunately, there are numerous immigrant recipients. I have to agree that immigrants from Russia and Bosnia have been an added plus to the City. They are hardworking and talented and have brought back the kinds of old-world ethics and culture of which I am most fond and have great memories. We need someone like Donald Trump to come in and donate his money on renovating this city. However, we also need to reform the Medicaid laws. I personally know people in Utica who are young and physically fit to work, but prefer to live off Medicaid. But I divert. I will always love Utica, the simple life it offers, and sometimes wish I never moved away! By the way, the surrounding villages like Clinton and New Hartford are beautiful!

[iloveupstateny]

Unfortunately, you said and hit it head on..............people that are able to work, do not choose to do so........as is the story in a lot of smaller to medium-sized cities in Upstate. The immigrant class is great for Utica but for other cities that ethic, that strong, middle-class, blue collar persons.......it simply doesn't exist in a large amount of people. That's why many of our smaller to middle size cities are disgusting and horrible and welfare, medicaid ridden. I don't know how you attract that element of people that could help turn these cities around.........jobs, of course......but they'd have to be decent.

I think we all have fond memories of the places upstate where we were raised. And as you get older, it's a true fact that you look back on the majority of your memories fondly......but if you ever moved back to some of these depleted cities (Utica, Elmira, Jamestown comes to mind), that fondness would soon cease.

[michellebelle]

Please don't judge all of Upstate NY by Utica. While Upstate may be lacking in activities, there are many small towns that are abundant in family values and the slower way of life. We live in a city now and describe it as being stuck on a freeway trying to get off but no one will let us merge. We can't wait to get back to the simple way of life. We may have to give up having a nice house for lower paying jobs, but we will know all of our neighbors and be able to let our daughter play outside without worrying.

[mrkool]

Originally Posted by sswebb37

Utica NY is one of the worst places to live I moved there when my husband died I thought it would be a nice place since it was upstate. But instead all thats up there is a lot of welfare receipants both black and white everybodys on crack the houses are bad and the jobs suck I will never ever live anywhere upstate again

Wow! I read this post just in time. I was just starting to load up the U Haul truck, heading for Utica. But now I read all this bad stuff... and will just call the whole move off. Or I could make a slight adjustment to plan and drive a few miles further on to Rome. Is that any better? How about the crackhead problem there?
Now I'm so confused.

[JiminCT]

We drive through the edges of Utica (exit 31 off the Thruway) to head north on 12 to our camp. Parts of Utica look apocalyptic. Some college friends of ours moved back there to a decent neighborhood...but they even conclude the city is a corrupt mess of rats in a one way time warp going backwards. The Bosnian community has moved there and added a new infusion of immigrants, but this city is good for a quick trip for chicken riggies or cavallos (good wings). Otherwise, its best left in the rear view mirror. Just looks really blighted and worn. Never mind the winter weather and many days of cloud cover...

The simpler way of life and "family values (read...few religious minorities..)" is a crock. Move to North Dakota if you want that.

[Rumblebelly]

Originally Posted by mrkool

Wow! I read this post just in time. I was just starting to load up the U Haul truck, heading for Utica. But now I read all this bad stuff... and will just call the whole move off. Or I could make a slight adjustment to plan and drive a few miles further on to Rome. Is that any better? How about the crackhead problem there?
Now I'm so confused.

I'm interested in Rome too. I have an employer that is located at Griffiss Tech Park that wants to interview me for a decent job. Currently, I'm living in Saratoga Springs and having a helluva time finding good work. However, we really like the Saratoga area and would like to stay. I've driven through Utica a couple of times and it doesn't SEEM much worse than Schenectady or Troy.

How much would we hate Rome? Are their any redeeming qualities about it?

[OneidaCountyPride]

My family has lived in Rome for over 100 years, and I left only recently to attend college. I would personally recommend Rome very highly and think that it is the perfect sized community to offer both the amenities of a larger sized city and a great small-town feel. There are many beautiful neighborhoods of the city, and Lake Delta also offers some professional housing if you are considering working at Griffiss.

In terms of a good property investment, Rome is definitely on the upswing. Since the closing of the Griffiss Air Force Base, the cost of property has recovered and is increasing every year. Also, though some people tend to knock public schools, I think that children get an excellent education in Rome. I attended public schools in Rome for my entire career and think that it has served me well. If people want evidence, Rome has sent multiple students to Yale, Cornell, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia and other outstanding education institutions in the past five years.

There are some parts of town that are not in particularly great socio-economic condition; however this is indicative of any city with a cross-section of the American population (read- ALL cities have problems). In terms of poverty, Rome is really not that bad off. I now attend school in downtown New Haven, CT and after spending some time here I can honestly say that the economic condition of Rome is not nearly as bad as people may make it out to be.

I've traveled all over the United States and the world and do hope to return to the Rome/Utica area after I finish my education. There may be no large investment banks or consulting firms headquartered in the region, but if people have initiative there is no reason why any type of professional would not be able to make a great living in this area.

In short, check out the Rome/Utica area! It has a lot to offer and I would definitely recommend it to a young professional.

[ChrisSmith]

I'm moving to utica newyork on the 29th. =/

[leavingdabronx]

Originally Posted by BrandOnian

You should have done your research, that is true.

Central New York is a scary place, in my opnion. It has a depressing aura, which is unavoidable. The consistent cloud cover might be partially responsible. However, people just seem to be a bit left of center. If you don't believe me, step into...an Arby's in Binghamton. Your first reaction will be something along the lines of: "What toxic chemical got spilled in the water supply around here?" or "Do they have schools in this county?".

Anyways, good luck getting out of Utica, and sorry to hear about your husband. Might I suggest California?

First of all you went to Arby's and second of all you cut down the entire area of Binghamton and its residents. My parents live in Binghamton and are very smart, so don't talk down on an entire area because of one experience ok buddy

[tmanleyman]

I have have lived in Utica most of my life, and like every city in the world it has it's bad points and it's good points. I believe Utica has many more good points then bad. I hear a lot of people put down this city and I am not one of them. I've lived here since I was about 12 years old. I had good times and bad, Seen a few bad people and many good people, a lot of good experiences and a few not so good. I live in a lower middle class neighborhood in west Utica and most of the people that live around me are good hard working people that take care of their houses and yards and are not looking to bother anyone else, Just like most of America. Don't let a few bad experiences taint your view of our city, This is a nice place to live and I like it here. Everything you need is here and we a located in the middle of everything, if you like nature just drive a few miles north and you will be in the Adirondacks, if you like the big city but just want to visit once in a while just drive a few hours and you will be in NYC(or take a train, we have a train station) Syracuse, Rochester or Buffalo, what ever you like it's probably nearby. here in our city we have museums, a zoo, shopping, restaraunts, movies and a lot more, you just have to look . Just remember, Like everyplace else you have to be aware of what's around you and the type of people you are with. Keep a possitive attitude, it's more fun