Ode to Western NY (Buffalo, Rochester: real estate, mortgage, house prices)

[iloveupstateny]

Thank you Western NY:

-For allowing me to learn that "upstate" consists of areas north of Albany, while "downstate" is all areas south of Binghamton.

-For educating me well, but failing to provide an economy for me to be able to actually work in.

-For the privilege of meeting the best, most sincere people in the country that follows me in my journeys that can turn a stranger into a friend just because they grew up in Buffalo (or Jamestown, Rochester, Syracuse, etc).

-For taxing and nickel & diming my family and friends, while the guy on welfare down the street drives a better car and has more gadgets than the retiree who worked hard all his life.

-For having a ridiculous amount of 20-40 yr olds displaced and living in NC, or AZ or Florida wondering how they got here and how to get back.

-For giving the few jobs WNY has left to public sector folk who happen to have a collective IQ of 80, well maybe 83.

-For having the most beautiful countryside one can think of.

-For having wonderful houses that are cheap in comparison to other Northeast cities, however this is negated as the taxes are similar on a 700k house on Long Island than a 125k house in a burb of Rochester.

-For making people love it or hate it, as well as a majority that can't recognize its problems as it has yet to hit home to them, but no matter what they will always defend it.

-For making me love you, but never really able to come back home (unless I win the lottery).

-And last but not least, for swelling during the holidays to the size of a region where cities like Buffalo and Rochester should be. Where the youth is back, and the hope is back, and it looks a lot less depressing and full of promise. If this could only last all year round...............

[Futcha]

Nice, and agreed.

[chrisruns2far]

Originally Posted by centered307

Thank you Western NY:

-For allowing me to learn that "upstate" consists of areas north of Albany, while "downstate" is all areas south of Binghamton.

-For educating me well, but failing to provide an economy for me to be able to actually work in.

-For the privilege of meeting the best, most sincere people in the country that follows me in my journeys that can turn a stranger into a friend just because they grew up in Buffalo (or Jamestown, Rochester, Syracuse, etc).

-For taxing and nickel & diming my family and friends, while the guy on welfare down the street drives a better car and has more gadgets than the retiree who worked hard all his life.

-For having a ridiculous amount of 20-40 yr olds displaced and living in NC, or AZ or Florida wondering how they got here and how to get back.

-For giving the few jobs WNY has left to public sector folk who happen to have a collective IQ of 80, well maybe 83.

-For having the most beautiful countryside one can think of.

-For having wonderful houses that are cheap in comparison to other Northeast cities, however this is negated as the taxes are similar on a 700k house on Long Island than a 125k house in a burb of Rochester.

-For making people love it or hate it, as well as a majority that can't recognize its problems as it has yet to hit home to them, but no matter what they will always defend it.

-For making me love you, but never really able to come back home (unless I win the lottery).

-And last but not least, for swelling during the holidays to the size of a region where cities like Buffalo and Rochester should be. Where the youth is back, and the hope is back, and it looks a lot less depressing and full of promise. If this could only last all year round...............

What you say above is very thought provoking. The unfortunate dynamic that exists in this county is that one could apply your same comments for most of Rural America and that more and more cities through out the country have priced out the majority of our 25-35 year olds from realistically entering the housing market without having too high of a percentage of their incomes going towards their mortgage payments. I know that personally, if I had not invested in real estate startinig 15 years ago, I would be priced out of the market where I live, as would many of our friends. I really feel bad for the next generation who will be seeking to enter the housinig market.

My Family and I (we are both 42 and have childeren ages 7 and 4) are moving back to the finger lakes region to be close to family after being out West for 15 years. Even though taxes are high, it is truly amazing the inventory of great, well-preserved old homes that one can purchase for a low price in such an scenic area. IMO, the great old affordable homes that you can buy in nice and attractive communties more than make up for the property taxes. You would pay 2, 3 or 4 times MORE for similar housing in any of the Western States. In addition, the educational system, by and large, is better than most states based on the significant amount of research I've done. That also applies to higher education.

I am confident that Western and Central NY will bounce back and offer more to keep the 20-40 year old generation from relocating elsewhere. It will not happen overnight, but the momentum has shifted and is heading in the right direction to change the dynamic for our young adults. There are solutions for some of the most negative issues (such as trade policies) that need to be resolved at the State and Federal level that will be greatly facilitated if people start to once again vote for their economic and middle class interests. Yes, I feel and sympathize with some of your despair, but I have much hope for the future of Western and Central NY. I'm guessing that you have moved or are in the process of doing so. If so, I wish you all the best and I hope that we have you back in WNY or CNY in the future.

[BuffaloTransplant]

Originally Posted by centered307

Thank you Western NY:

-For allowing me to learn that "upstate" consists of areas north of Albany, while "downstate" is all areas south of Binghamton.

-For educating me well, but failing to provide an economy for me to be able to actually work in.

-For the privilege of meeting the best, most sincere people in the country that follows me in my journeys that can turn a stranger into a friend just because they grew up in Buffalo (or Jamestown, Rochester, Syracuse, etc).

-For taxing and nickel & diming my family and friends, while the guy on welfare down the street drives a better car and has more gadgets than the retiree who worked hard all his life.

-For having a ridiculous amount of 20-40 yr olds displaced and living in NC, or AZ or Florida wondering how they got here and how to get back.

-For giving the few jobs WNY has left to public sector folk who happen to have a collective IQ of 80, well maybe 83.

-For having the most beautiful countryside one can think of.

-For having wonderful houses that are cheap in comparison to other Northeast cities, however this is negated as the taxes are similar on a 700k house on Long Island than a 125k house in a burb of Rochester.

-For making people love it or hate it, as well as a majority that can't recognize its problems as it has yet to hit home to them, but no matter what they will always defend it.

-For making me love you, but never really able to come back home (unless I win the lottery).

-And last but not least, for swelling during the holidays to the size of a region where cities like Buffalo and Rochester should be. Where the youth is back, and the hope is back, and it looks a lot less depressing and full of promise. If this could only last all year round...............

Our 2 girls ( mid 20s) have graduated summa *** laude and *** laude from a local university. One works for the govt ( she's the summa); the other works for groups which are attached to the hospitals as she waits to be called for either the troopers or city force. They both make over $50K. Their husbands both make the same; one works OT extensively and can make up to $70K. Is this less than most areas? Yep. OTOH, it affords them the ability to stay w/family, have homes ( one has had one and one is buying now). Overspending? Nope. Saving money? Yep.

it all boils down to one thing: what you teach your kids is what they will practice. We taught ours how to go far on a little and they have.

If you want to pick on those who have found jobs here and worked hard to get them, and plan on staying....don't act like YOUR IQ is below 80.

[I'minformed2]

I think you are pushing it a little by saying "neve being able to come back". I moved from Rochester back in late 1994, when the economy was still relatively strong; to Raleigh NC. This past August I finally moved back to Rochester from NC; yes, the taxes are higher...but the oeverall cost of living isn't; its about the same if not lower (house prices are skyrocketing in the triangle area now). Job situation isn't NEARLY as bad as portrayed by the local media. Many fields have employee shortages...people aren't becoming aware of a lot of the jobs.

[Muggy]

Originally Posted by I'minformed2

Many fields have employee shortages...

Please list three (not in jest, being serious)...

[iloveupstateny]

ok, ok, the IQ comment was meant in jest. I am sure there are lots of great people working in gov't. It was merely a comment re: politicians.

[Upstate Dave]

Nicely written. Makes good sense to me.

Sure there are jobs, but most job growth is in the public sectors of education and government, or in service areas. Don't we always hear that these jobs generally do not pay enough?

Regarding the IQ comment... bureaucracies everywhere are upset with you , and once they get the forms processed your in trouble!

I too like living here in upstate. Yet I do not believe the economic & political situation will improve much during my lifetime. Besides.... winter is getting to be a drag for us. So... it's off to greener pastures eventually. I'm sure someone will remind us that home values and taxes here are still a better deal, or that southern hospitality is nothing compared to upstate NY friendliness.

[NYGirl1216]

No city is perfect! There is no utopia. Every place has it's problems. With SO many people leaving WNY and the northeast, how long before other highly desired areas of the country (southeast, Las Vegas, etc.) will have the same problems facing WNY? Yes, taxes will increase in these regions as well as the cost of living. Resorces will be strained and the quality of life will decrease. It's happening everyday. Then where will you go?

[Town&Country]

I for one will be moving back asap, hopefully next year. The taxes are a small price with all that WNY has to offer.