Considering Machias (Buffalo, Ellicott, Springville: ski resorts, house, find a job)

[braylee]

I have been thinking about moving to Machias NY with my husband and 14 month old daughter. We are currently living in Bucks County Pa. I absolutley loved the are while we were there.
We are seriously thinking of putting an offer in on a property. Before we do, I would love to hear any input you guys may have.
How are the schools, economy, weather?
What kind of people live there and what are some interesting places/shops nearby?

Thanks!!!

[BuffaloTransplant]

Machias is rural and has a tiny "downtown". I don't know about schools and such; my husband's family lived east og Machias in the area up from the 1820s to 1900. In town is a State Police Station and "The Stone House" which has the County Historical Society ( on Rt. 16). Near to that is Lime Lake -- cottages, mostly. Don't remember if there is still a public beach; it is a nice lake. For nearby "large towns", closest you have Arcade and Springville to the north and Ellicottville to the south. Springville has shopping, and Arcade has a large supermarket and a WalMart. Ellicottville is skiing and yuppies out all over and cutesy places for the visitors. Springville has an auction every Wed., I think. It has everything - from box lots to animals! [In summer, you will get lots of fresh produce there and also Amish goods.] There are also stores.

This area is beautiful. However, This is not a booming area for economy. Frankly, it isn't even a good area if you are job hunting unless you are looking in a bigger town... or unless you are a farmer with a paid off farm. Roadwise, the main roads are perfectly fine. The secondaries are good. Only the dirt ones present any problem in wet or snowy weather. There are seasonally closed roads. It can be very snowy; Ellicotville is the snowbelt w/ski resorts.

I'd check the schools & kids activities, find out if you want to drive fairly long distances and look into jobs. Arcade is suppsed to have very inexpensive electric; I don't know -- you see "Arcade electric" listed on many pieces of land. Personally, if we were looking into land, I would have no problem with it...but our kids are grown and we are retired.

You would be about 45 min to an hour south of Buffalo suburbs here -- faster on the 219.

[braylee]

Thank you BuffaloTransplant. Very helpful. We will probably be traveling back up that way this week for a second (better look). I work from home as a website builder. So I wont need to leave the house for work, but I think my husband may want to find a job, just so he can get out for a little bit eachday lol.