Binghamton vs. Utica (Elmira, Ithaca, Watertown: college, safety, nightlife)

[ckhthankgod]

Both of these metros have a similar population, but Utica is a little bit bigger as a city. Both have secondary urban communities within them.

Which of these cities would you choose based upon this criteria.....

The Arts

Safety/crime

Education(all levels)

Sporting Events

Culture(inc. Food options, festivals, interaction, etc)

Economy

Recreation(inc. proximity)

Location

Urbanity/Walkability

Downtown activity

Nightlife

[ckhthankgod]

I'm surprised that no one has touched this one yet.

[jpdivola]

Guess i missed this thread whwn it was uphere. Interesting comparison. They seem like peer cities in a lot of ways, smaller than the "major upstate" MSAs, but bigger than the smaller UAs (Elmira, Ithaca, Watertown, etc).

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Both of these metros have a similar population, but Utica is a little bit bigger as a city. Both have secondary urban communities within them.

Which of these cities would you choose based upon this criteria.....

The Arts-

Safety/crime-

Education(all levels)- SUNY Binghamton is bigger than Utica College or SUNY Poly, but Hamilton/Colgate are more prestigious.

Sporting Events- I would go with Binghamton for the pro sports.

Culture(inc. Food options, festivals, interaction, etc)- toss up

Economy- toss up, although Utica seems to have a more stable population with the immigrant population.

Recreation(inc. proximity)- pretty close in my mind

Location- Binghamton is closer to NYC/Philly, but Utica is closer liked to the I-90 corridor. I prefer Binghamton's setting in a hilly river valley, but the Mohawk valley and rolling hills in the surrounding area is also pretty

Urbanity/Walkability- pretty close, but I personally prefer Binghamtons downtown

Downtown activity- same as above, my sense is Binghamton has a little more intact, architecturally interesting downtown

Nightlife- Utica has a better nightlife district