dont move to utica ny (New York, Buffalo: apartments, foreclosure, for rent)

[gem1122]

I grew up outside of Utica, in Clinton. At that time, it was the butt of all sorts of jokes (it's what NYC threw up, etc...). Then I moved elsewhere in NY.

Fast forward to a few years ago, when my wife and I bought a house in Utica. The neighborhood wasn't great, but the people were friendly and we found a few nice restaurants and events going on. The local hospitals are good, though.

The politics and infrastructure are still sorely lacking. No one seems to know what to do with the place. Downtown is a mess. I used to teach job training classes to welfare recipients. I was caught between people who didn't want to work and the fact that, even if they did, there weren't many jobs available. Granted, you get off your ass, take that job at McD's, and suck it up. Still, it wasn't the most uplifting thing, trying to encourage folks to work when the area wasn't offering much. Those who did the best? The Bosnians and other immigrants. They were so flippin' happy to be there, they took any job. They took two, in fact. Hopefully this influx of hard-working folks can help turn around a once-proud city.

Would I live there again? No. Is it a hellhole? No. Is it sad and somewhat rundown? Yes. Hopefully, Utica can pull itself out of the past, like other upstate NY towns have done in recent years.

[RS085]

Originally Posted by tmanleyman

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.

Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo? Are you serious?


If you are stuck in Utica, NY, just try going to NYC as much as you possibly can. Theres no sense in heading west to cities that are essentially bigger Utica's.

You have NYC, a world city, in your backyard. People fly from all over the world to come to NYC, and yet people go to Syracuse on a weekend? are you kidding me?

You don't know how influential and close NYC is until you leave the area. Its an advantage, I suggest people use it.

[RS085]

Originally Posted by Tims1977

So, yeah, that is it. Don't ever move to Utica. Try not to come within one hundred miles of the place. If you ever drive by Utica on the thruway roll up your windows and hold your breath until the city is out of view. If anything, Utica would make a good missile testing site and that is about it.

Hahahahahahaha, the best description I have seen on Utica. Spot on my friend.

[RS085]

Originally Posted by samutakasu

My husbands job is relocating to utica. It seems like the elementary school over there is GENERAL HERKIMER. Can anyone please give me some reviews on that side of utica. Its on the edge of Utica.

Don't do it, pack your things, and move out of Utica.

[met fan]

Utica's answer may be in smaller government. It is run as a city, but maybe it's not a city anymore and needs less regulation. The average wages are cheap enough to entice businesses, but bureaucracy my be the problem.

[ckhthankgod]

are not bigger Uticas. Buffalo might be the closest to it, but they still are doing things to turn it around. I would say that cities like Ithaca, Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls ae nice smaller cities. Binghamton is OK and is one of the safest cities in the US. Corning is a nice little city. Plattsburgh seems to be fine too.

[newyorkborn&raised]

I am sorry that the original poster lost her husband. I am also sorry that I took the time to read her post. *********. Upstate NY is not one big Utica. I live in the Thousand Islands and we don't have crackheads on the block giving head for a nickel. Please end the generalizations, New York State is not just Brooklyn-and upstate is not just woods and farmers. Go back to Jersey City or Newark if you think all of upstate New York is so bad (and is all like Utica).

[OneidaCountyPride]

Newyorkborn&raised makes an extremely valid point. Furthermore, you can't make generalizations about the whole area around Utica. In particular, New Hartford and Clinton are very safe towns and have experienced a recent increase in economic activity. Schools in New Hartford and Clinton consistently rank as some of the best in the country. Is Utica a growing metropolis? No. But is it an extremely unsafe place? No. Just like any city, you need to understand that different neighborhoods are better than others - the whole area around Utica is not unsafe and is actually a very nice place to live if you don't mind a more quiet area.

[rbesaw32]

i have lived in utica all my life and for the past 10 yr have lived in small towns like stueben,stittville, and boonville. utica was once a beautiful place,but once they built the prisons the trash from downstate drifted north and stayed

[gem1122]

Originally Posted by RS085

Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo? Are you serious?


You have NYC, a world city, in your backyard. People fly from all over the world to come to NYC, and yet people go to Syracuse on a weekend? are you kidding me?

You don't know how influential and close NYC is until you leave the area. Its an advantage, I suggest people use it.

Thanks for reminding us all how fortunate we are to have NYC to make our sad, measly lives better. Jeez, I don't know what I would do if I couldn't make it down to that crime-ridden, crowded, pollution-spouting mecca! Thank goodness we have NYC to raise us up from the hopelessness of living quiet, simple lives among nature and a few good friends!