Normal nice towns in upstate NY? (Manlius, Ithaca: college, places to live, restaurants)

[apples-travel]

Are there any decent, clean normal places to live where you can sit in a coffee shop or go somewhere without feeling uncomfortable? I landed in a very strange, dysfunctional town, the stuff you hear is exhausting, it's just creepy.

Professional or college areas? Upscale, nice places. I am trying to move out of here, even to Vermont or western MA, it's been just a huge disappointment, this strange farm culture. Came here for an arts project, full of hopes and just have been exhausted by what you hear out there.

Seems Germantown is nice, Claverack? Hillsdale or Ancram?
Any suggestions in Green County?

Thanks!

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by apples-travel

Are there any decent, clean normal places to live where you can sit in a coffee shop or go somewhere without feeling uncomfortable? I landed in a very strange, dysfunctional town, the stuff you hear is exhausting, it's just creepy.

Professional or college areas? Upscale, nice places. I am trying to move out of here, even to Vermont or western MA, it's been just a huge disappointment, this strange farm culture. Came here for an arts project, full of hopes and just have been exhausted by what you hear out there.

Seems Germantown is nice, Claverack?

Thanks!

Where was this? How far Upstate are you willing to go?

Anyway, yes, you can find such towns. Clinton, Saratoga Springs and Cazenovia may be the best bets in terms of a combination of upscale and a college presence. Places like Hamilton, Aurora, Brockport and perhaps a couple of others come close to a slightly lesser degree.

Look into Skaneateles, Canandaigua, Lewiston, Corning, Ithaca, Sackets Harbor, Ballston Spa, Cooperstown, Pittsford(village), Fairport, Delmar and Manlius(village), among others.

[apples-travel]

Okay, thanks, these are lots!!

I think Green county probably.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by apples-travel

Okay, thanks, these are lots!!

I think Green county probably.

If you want Greene County, have you looked into Catskill?

[Joe461]

Originally Posted by apples-travel

Are there any decent, clean normal places to live where you can sit in a coffee shop or go somewhere without feeling uncomfortable? I landed in a very strange, dysfunctional town, the stuff you hear is exhausting, it's just creepy.

Could you be more specific as to what made you feel uncomfortable or what you found creepy?

I have been in many different shops, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. in the Catskills area (Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Sullivan Counties). Never felt uncomfortable. There is one restaurant in Jefferson where the locals at the bar give odd stares when a stranger walks in (but in fairness, that night the few people at the bar seemed plastered). It should also be noted that anywhere you are, outsiders will often get a strange stare when waling into the local town pub.1

Aside from that, I have never had anything but a friendly experience in the area.


Cooperstown, Delhi, Hamden, Hobart, Davenport, Stamford, Bloomville, Prattsville, Andes, Walton, Roxbury, (just about any town along Rt 28 from the thruway to Margaretville. Those are just off the top of my head, but a pretty good cross section of different areas/flavors. I have interacted with many folks in the above towns and never had a "creepy" experience.

There's much more to upstate, but I have no reason to believe the other areas are any less welcoming.

[Forest_Hills_Daddy]

Red Hook

[hvexpatinct]

I have an idea of where you are based on your description.

What about Chatham?

Otherwise, head south or west. Millerton, Saugerties, or any of the towns named above

[Forest_Hills_Daddy]

Woodstock has both coffee places and an independent bookstore.

[CookieSkoon]

Judging by the tone of your post I'm going to say you will probably like planet Ithaca...