What is Elmira like? Specificially (New York, Buffalo: neighborhoods, prices, airport)

[fish2026]

I already know the economy is slow - like many other upstate NY places. I know housing is cheap and some old bldgs are as inexpensive as anywhere Ive seen. Here's what I'd like to know specificially.


Are summers nice?


What is the area from the river up Lake st like - say to the 500 Block of

Lake?

Are there nasty parts of town that should be avoided?

Is the river nice? Is it swimmable and if so when?

How is the drive to NYC or Buffalo?

What is the best airport ( maybe cheapest) to fly into Elmira from?

[edcedc]

Summers are ok in Elmira, pretty warm
Lake street around the 500's is a pretty rough neighborhood
yes there are nasty parts to avoid- such as around west 2nd street around Walnut street and downtown, nearly anything east of clemens center parkway on the north side is rough, on the southside spaulding street is rough, and around the railroad is rough, ummm....... good neighborhoods are around Hoffman street, anything west of the city border, and Strathmont park.
The river is ok, you can fish in it and everything, i wouldn't swim in it though
the drive to NYC isn't that bad, about 5 hours, Buffalo is only 3 or so. Syracuse is the closest metropolitan area
Elmira only has one airport so........ there aren't many options

[Hartwick]

The river running through Elmira is polluted year round, and especially now from recent floods and sewage treatment plants that were innundated by the floods. While it looks nice, I'd keep a distance from it because of smell at certain times of the year; swim? never; fish? no way; boating? don't fall in and hold your nose.

Elmira is served by a few regional air carriers. It is usually a stop along some air route. You can get to it from most major hubs, but again, usually not direct flights. Flying out of Elmira's airport is downright costly, with ticket prices being very expensive. You are better off flying out of Syracuse than Elmira, or nearby airports such as Binghamton, Ithaca, Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

Driving to New York City and Buffalo is as stated by a previous poster. Generally easy driving.