The Good, the Bad & the Ugly of Corning / Bath / Elmira

[Theresa Scott]

I too am thinking about moving Upstate but to the Elmira area. I am actually very serious about moving because I purchased a house in Elmira about a month ago now. I was born and raise in Brooklyn NY and currently work in Manhattan making great money so I know this will be a huge sacrifice. I have heard so many terrible things about Elmira and the Upstate areas surrounding it but being a true native New Yorker, I see here more depressing than Elmira. When you have to pay tons of money to commute, park-God forbid you drive the city $50 a day depending, unaffordable childcare and schools are terrible unless you pay anywhere from 7k on up a year to send your child to private school then uniforms and transportation... All of that, Elmira seems so unreal not only for the homes but everything. After living in the Big Apple all my life and I am 40, I am sick of it. I guess with living here all my life, I do not see what the all the hype is about other than the culture and everything being so convenient... I was wondering if anyone transients and born and bread Upstaters as well, have anything good to say about Elmira and the Upstate area.

[ckhthankgod]

Well, the people seem to be nice and the pace is much slower. I like Corning over Elmira, but Elmira isn't too bad. Ithaca is only a half hour away too. There's potential there(like the rest of Upstate).

[Finger Laker]

being a true native New Yorker, I see here more depressing than Elmira

not saying that you do carry this attitude, but it is something to be careful of - people upstate are also true native new yorkers

we have gotten many city transplants who expect us to be impressed by their large living exploits and all the things they've seen and done in the city

honestly - no one gives a rip

as with moving anywhere you will need to embrace and work within the community you are moving into and not expect them to start changing because you are now there and their way isn't what you are used to

I think there is a lot of potential in upstate NY - however, it's not for everyone and there are some real challenges

i love visiting and it was a nice place to grow up - but I could never live there - limited job opportunities, limited social activity, low diversity, lack of convenience to a variety of shopping, frustrating local politicians and an oppressive state taxation framework

however, it's set in some of the most beautiful land in this nation, is mainly quiet, affordable, you don't spend you life driving to and from work, a good sense of community and it's possible to not only own a good chunk of land, but to really be a part of the land you're living in

[avjake]

Corning has SOME cultural events, many funded by Corning Incorporated to make the town more attractive to its employees, but in general, Corning is conservative (like most towns and cities between NYC and Buffalo).
Ithaca has a much wider diversity of culture and events, mainly due to being the home of Cornell U. and Ithaca College.
One option would be living in Watkins Glen, which is surrounded by natural beauty and is a 25 minute drive from Corning, Ithaca, and the big box stores in the Horseheads area. Housing options are limited, though.

[artyst]

i visited the Corning/Elmira/Ithaca area last summer and felt most drawn to Watkins Glen because of the lake and the beauty of the surrounding area.