Upstate NY photo house tour (Albany, Binghamton: houses, asbestos, construction)

[geos]

I've moved to Oneonta, NY (west of Albany and east of Binghamton) temporarily while I build a house in Norwalk, CT. I've become fascinated with the great diversity of architectural styles here. In NYC where I come from most single & 2 family houses are all boring beige. Here there's a riot of color (not quite Mexico however) and style. I especially like the squarish, flat roof type for their elegant simplicity. If someone knows what style they are please let me know. I hope this isn't too much.

Upstate NY Houses

OOOOPS How do you get the images to show up from Photobucket???

[geos]

OK, here's another try at posting some pics from the Oneonta area. Click the thumbnail if you want to see the larger pic.

Can someone tell me what style that squarish design with flat roof is?

[chrisruns2far]

I think this is part of what makes upstate NY so nice, fantastic old homes and beautiful countryside. Thanks for posting the photos!

[artyst]

i think it's a victorian style called Italianate. it's based on a look from the Italian countryside. the amazing architecture is part of the reason why i'm going to move to upstate ny. beautiful pictures!

[geos]

Originally Posted by artyst

i think it's a victorian style called Italianate. it's based on a look from the Italian countryside. the amazing architecture is part of the reason why i'm going to move to upstate ny. beautiful pictures!

AHA! That's it. I really like the elegence and simplicity but I wonder how they keep the flat roof from collapsing in the heavy snows. I see some have been converted to peaked roofs. It really is an architectural treasure trove up here.

[JCheng91]

ugh... im so glad i live in southern California. many of the houses around me are more modern contemporary and many have Mediterranean style houses which are cool to look at. But i guess the traditional style houses are nice to...

[12buttons]

Originally Posted by geos

I've moved to Oneonta, NY (west of Albany and east of Binghamton) temporarily while I build a house in Norwalk, CT. I've become fascinated with the great diversity of architectural styles here. In NYC where I come from most single & 2 family houses are all boring beige. Here there's a riot of color (not quite Mexico however) and style. I especially like the squarish, flat roof type for their elegant simplicity. If someone knows what style they are please let me know. I hope this isn't too much.

Upstate NY Houses

OOOOPS How do you get the images to show up from Photobucket???

That's quite a jump in price..Norwalk eh? You must be rich! How can you oversee the building if yer so far?
What kind of house are you building?

These pcitures are lovely - many of the homes are painted the Victorian color chart..but over all I am rather appalled at the condition - You know if these were in Darien, they'd be showplaces! Vive la difference..NYS has always been CT's poor cousin in look, condition, and roads..these homes reflect the sad economy thrughout the region. Did you ever notice how it changes right away the minute you leave NYS? I mean besides the signage!
Grass is greener, trees are taller, others have noticed the same thing - CT is indeed Gods country..I love Litchfield. Used to live in Fairfield.

Thnak you for posting these..what a bittersweet story they tell....holding on to a piece of arch history in challenging times...You'd need a minimum of 200k to do a reno on any of these...I doubt the owners have that kind of kaching. I have a love hate thing for old houses - love the room sizes, and the details and quality of them but very concerned with the levels of asbestos, lead, and creosote, and mold that would have to be addressed. Also the insulation is often inadequate for the brutal winters -nothing like living in layers of sweaters in a big old drafty house..I did it for four years of college - no thanks!
Best of both worlds is a reproduction new colonial- that's what I will build next..

[boomvang]

You must have x-ray vision if you can determine that all the houses pictured require a $200k expenditure. Most look wonderful to my eyes. Do us all a favor and keep your negative comments to yourself.

[artyst]

interestingly enough buttons, the new reproduction construction leaves me "cold."
to each his own.

[geos]

Originally Posted by 12buttons

That's quite a jump in price..Norwalk eh? You must be rich! How can you oversee the building if yer so far?
What kind of house are you building?

These pcitures are lovely - many of the homes are painted the Victorian color chart..but over all I am rather appalled at the condition - You know if these were in Darien, they'd be showplaces! Vive la difference..NYS has always been CT's poor cousin in look, condition, and roads..these homes reflect the sad economy thrughout the region. Did you ever notice how it changes right away the minute you leave NYS? I mean besides the signage!
Grass is greener, trees are taller, others have noticed the same thing - CT is indeed Gods country..I love Litchfield. Used to live in Fairfield.

Thnak you for posting these..what a bittersweet story they tell....holding on to a piece of arch history in challenging times...You'd need a minimum of 200k to do a reno on any of these...I doubt the owners have that kind of kaching. I have a love hate thing for old houses - love the room sizes, and the details and quality of them but very concerned with the levels of asbestos, lead, and creosote, and mold that would have to be addressed. Also the insulation is often inadequate for the brutal winters -nothing like living in layers of sweaters in a big old drafty house..I did it for four years of college - no thanks!
Best of both worlds is a reproduction new colonial- that's what I will build next..

SONO is hardly Darien or Greenwich but I did pretty well selling my houes in NYC.

The old relics are beautiful to look at but I would never get one. As you say the renovation & upkeep must be enormous. I prefer function over fashion that's why I'm building a super efficient, low maintenance AI Dome.