HELP! Best towns in Upstate NY to move to? (New York: house, middle school)

[farfel]

Originally Posted by BBG

My husband and I are considering New York for a possible relocation. I would like some land (10-15 acres), a place to have a few chickens, a small town atmosphere, a place that's safe and the community is friendly. The Upstate NY home prices seem reasonable from what I'm seeing, but I don't want to be so far from some excitment (NY,NY/Boston) when we want it, or a Starbucks if possible Does any such town exist? Ithaca seems interesting, I would enjoy a college atmosphere, as long as there's no homeless lurking around, it's rampant here in California near the colleges. Am I asking for too much? We are in our late 40s and early 50s, no children, employment is not a concern, just wanting some peace and quiet and quality of life. Thanks!

yeah, i'll second all those who have mentioned locations along i-87. especially if you are close to the junction of i-90, it's about halfway between new york and montreal. and i-90 will take you right into boston.

as for any specific areas, saratoga springs comes to mind, also the area north from albany to the southern adirondacks on the ny side of the ny/vt line...

good luck!

[lovezukes]

Stay away from Oakfeild, New York. Miserable petty politics by a vindictive code enforcer and town board.

[tball6733]

Originally Posted by Tioga

SmalltownUSA...Do you know the name of the inn/restaurant(large red older bldg) south of Auburn a few miles down along the west side of Owasco lake? I've been trying to recall it...my wife and I went up there for brunch numerous times in the 80's and early 90's. It was pretty good...at that time.

I believe that you are talking about the Springside Inn.

[skaneatelesmom]

I agree with tball. It must be the Springside Inn. Does this look familiar?
Springside Inn - Auburn, NY

Jo

[12buttons]

Originally Posted by plattsburgher

Well..............

There is a Starbucks just freshly opened, a college here and you are EXTREMELY close (one hour???????) away from 9 million people in Montreal with the Gran Prix, International Fireworks, Blues Festivals, world cuisine, and arts, artists in Montreal. Burlington, Vermont is just across the lake with all the cool culture of collegiates that you can handle..........UVM and Middlebury College and little ole Plattsburgh has its own state college of around 5 thousand kids from Long Island mostly. Amtrak runs the most scenic route in US along Lake Champlain and Hudson River down into Penn Station so if you have the time and moolah, you can spend lots of time in the Big Apple without even driving there. Albany is almost 2 hours south with other events.......The big drawback is your chickens will have to wear boots for some of the year........Oh, and world famous Lake Placid has events all winter long on the ski jumps and luge runs, etc.........The area is growing with all kinds of folks who are buying lake front at outrageously cheap prices for second homes or retirement places........The community feel is great however, with no homeless and very little trash around. The police and security are great here........Plus you have Lake Champlain in the summer to boat around if you like.......Get a hot tub for you and the chickens and you are all set............Very welcoming place, especially if you want to do some volunteering in a community..........More housing for your money, then you have traveling/fun money left over for adventure!

Lake Champlain area- do folks live year round in Essex and Westport? Or are they deserted in the winter? They look nice- are the house prices high off the lake?

[oktaren]

Come to Chautauqua County. Tons of recreation, cheap land and housing, and plenty of it, less than an hour to Erie, PA and Buffalo, NY. Less than 3 hours from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Niagara Falls, Rochester and Toronto!!!

Oh, and there is a Starbucks in Fredonia, near the college!

[Howard Hall Farm]

Hi there. Check out Athens, NY. I moved there a few months ago, and the place keeps surprising me. It its your wish-list description and is VERY affordable. I also found work here: Howard Hall Farm
I don't know what your field is, but if it applies, send an email, maybe we know someone....good luck!

[plattsburgher]

Yes, people live in Essex, Willsboro, Westport and Pburgh throughout the winter, even lakeside. We've had many couples move up here to retire the last few years and they never go south in the winter. Most like the way nature changes along the lake or they take up xcountry skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, volunteering or head to the underground in Montreal, etc.................Lots of winter activities in both Montreal and Quebec City complete with their 400 year anniversary next year. It is going to be a spectacular series of festivals. Montreal is so interesting and accessible. Personally, I qualify since I make under 50,000 grand a year for tax relief..........it is called STAR. You can look up the program online. Seniors get even more tax breaks and also have their own pharmacy discount. My mom in the south pays way more for her lousy medical/health care and about the same in taxes or more because they tax everything! Even food. Our health care and doctors are wonderful and the quality of life here is so much better than where she is...........No crime, fresh air, fantastic schools, amazing welcoming people, and a real sense of community spirit and cohesiveness in the community that money cannot buy. Her bills in the summer heat for A/C were much worse than mine for heating in the winter...........I am on a budget plan for heating and pay 90 a month for the entire year and that is considered high since I am not in the city of Pburgh which has the lowest electric rates in the country. I would Google "Clinton County Real Estate" or "Essex County" if you are in the least bit curious about the towns of Essex and Westport........There are some gorgeous old historic homes on the lake that Vermonters are discovering and buying now since Vermont's real estate market is so inflated and affordable housing over there is an oxymoron. They are working on that problem, but in the meantime Vermonters are buying homes on this side of the lake and working in Vermont quite a bit.............This is an extremely interesting and satisfying way of life with many opportunities and much history...............People are starting to discover it and instead of just vacationing here, tend to move here.........Just thought it deserved a mention.

[Jdawg8181]

Originally Posted by BBG

My husband and I are considering New York for a possible relocation. I would like some land (10-15 acres), a place to have a few chickens, a small town atmosphere, a place that's safe and the community is friendly. The Upstate NY home prices seem reasonable from what I'm seeing, but I don't want to be so far from some excitment (NY,NY/Boston) when we want it, or a Starbucks if possible Does any such town exist? Ithaca seems interesting, I would enjoy a college atmosphere, as long as there's no homeless lurking around, it's rampant here in California near the colleges. Am I asking for too much? We are in our late 40s and early 50s, no children, employment is not a concern, just wanting some peace and quiet and quality of life. Thanks!

starbucks?? are you kidding?

[ZeldaSayre]

I second (or third?) the votes for New Paltz specifically and Ulster County generally. Liza.Judy, you might want to look around here - there's a seriously booming art scene, very welcoming and friendly and weird (in the best possible way). Lots of writers, musicians, and visual artists.

Best,
zs.