Help im moving from central Pennsylvania to upstate NY (New York: low income, insurance)

[milliezeta]

Can anyone help me?? i am living in central pennsylvania(harrisburg), a nice town where the economy is pretty stable though there arent too many high paying jobs. Even though where im living now the crime rate is low and everything seems simple, there is nothing to do, only shopping and plenty of diners and malls, but as far as good museums and places for kids, i have to comute 2hrs either to baltimore, md or to Philadelphia. I am planning to re-locate to NY. I used to live in NYC, but right now is not an option, im a single 26 yr old mom of a 5 yr old, and will like to find a nice place that is not too expensive where i can live in upstate ny?? I'm in the process of finishing my Human Services degree. Any suggestions, i was thinking buffalo, but not too sure if thats the right place, or perhaps near Albany????? please help??? I dont mind traveling 45 mnts for attractions, but not too far??

[Coraggio]

Originally Posted by milliezeta

Can anyone help me?? i am living in central pennsylvania(harrisburg), a nice town where the economy is pretty stable though there arent too many high paying jobs. Even though where im living now the crime rate is low and everything seems simple, there is nothing to do, only shopping and plenty of diners and malls, but as far as good museums and places for kids, i have to comute 2hrs either to baltimore, md or to Philadelphia. I am planning to re-locate to NY. I used to live in NYC, but right now is not an option, im a single 26 yr old mom of a 5 yr old, and will like to find a nice place that is not too expensive where i can live in upstate ny?? I'm in the process of finishing my Human Services degree. Any suggestions, i was thinking buffalo, but not too sure if thats the right place, or perhaps near Albany????? please help??? I dont mind traveling 45 mnts for attractions, but not too far??

Not a heck of a lot specifically for kids here... the Museum of Science is okay for younger ones but fairly pathetic overall (and before anyone jumps on me, compare our Museum of Science to those in other cities, and you'll see what I mean). There is the Zoo, and a place called Explore & More out in East Aurora (about 40 minutes outside of Buffalo). Rochester has an amazing place called The Strong Museum of Play, which is about an hour away, and the Toronto Science Museum and Zoo are both really nice, but again, they're an hour or so away. There are plenty of other things to do here that aren't necessarily designed for kids, but I know what you mean.

The Albany area is pretty expensive...

[honeybee2367]

I have lived in Albany ny for about 2 years. I moved here from plattsburgh after finishing my degree in child and family services. As far as the albany area i would not suggest it. I find that it is kind of a depressing place to live. It seems that the crime rate is high, school systems aren't the best. The plattsburgh area is a very nice place to be. It has a small town feel with friendly people but there aren't a lot of things to do culturally. You can take a ferry ride from there and be in Burlington Vt in less than an hour which offers the most culture in surrounding areas. plattsburgh is cold and gets a lot of snow but it is also scenic and safe.

[ADKBiker]

Originally Posted by honeybee2367

I have lived in Albany ny for about 2 years. I moved here from plattsburgh after finishing my degree in child and family services. As far as the albany area i would not suggest it. I find that it is kind of a depressing place to live. It seems that the crime rate is high, school systems aren't the best. The plattsburgh area is a very nice place to be. It has a small town feel with friendly people but there aren't a lot of things to do culturally. You can take a ferry ride from there and be in Burlington Vt in less than an hour which offers the most culture in surrounding areas. plattsburgh is cold and gets a lot of snow but it is also scenic and safe.

I have lived in Plattsburgh for the past 7 years and it is basically what you are dealing with now. No jobs and I mean "No Jobs". The only jobs up here are, nurses, doctors (not the greatest Hospital), work for the prisons, border patrol, insurance, basically everything your low economic place has to offer. Shopping is terrible and you might find something in Burlington. Montreal is close but wait till you deal with the border! My fiance and I (30 and 31 yrs old) are trying to move out of the area. She is a teacher and has a good position but I can't find any work and I am also an educator/designer. SUNY Plattsburgh is not the greated SUNY schools as they are on probation for loosing their accreditation. The downtown has never picked and still has the low income housing. The only thing to do here is to drink and drink. That is all people talk about doing for a night out. I am not a drinker. Stuff for kids to do is very very limited. There is no culture here what so ever. You will have to go up to Montreal for that (and now the Canadian dollar is higher, so everything is more expensive). I am not trying to be a pessimistic person here but I have experienced other places. Now, it is beautiful and lots of outdoor activities, ice fishing, skiing (expensive), hunting, quad riding, snowmobiling (if there's snow), oh yeah and drinking (did I mention this already?). People seem to be friendly but you will be doing these things by yourself, as people are not to social and not crazy about southerners. The public schools are not bad. It is very boring here if you are looking for a fun active place.

The weather is great! Sand, salt, slush, salt, snow, salt in the long winters. You will be purchasing a new vehicle ever 3 years due to the rust. COLD. COLD COLD, winters and then the MUD season (very depressing). Summers are beautiful. SO basically what I am trying to say is that this place is better for visiting than living. (Which is why we are leaving)

I would look at the Capital Region (not expensive!) or outer areas (Colonie, Ballston Spa, Saratoga, Stillwater, Glens Falls (we are checking these areas out) You could also try north of the city (this will give you the access to NYC (for culture and museums). New York is a beautiful state with awesome schools (2nd best in the country with Connecticut being 1st) one of the reason taxes are high but it's all about our kids right? Remember you get what you pay for.

[nunoco]

ADK has a much harsher view of Plattsburgh than I do. Moved from NYC with family and couldn't be happier with the schools and the situation for the kids. Also have met a lot of great couples with kids who are smart, interesting people. The college is actually underrated (it's only the education dept. that's having problems; many other programs are outstanding) and getting better quality students. Winter's long, yes, but I don't find it worse than NYC, with its wind and rain.
That said, I think the 'Burgh is a tough place right now for people from 22-35 or so. There's culture coming, slowly but surely, but it's obviously too slow for ADKbiker.
So I'd look at Troy (near Albany, great downtown, college town, EZ Amtrak ride to Manhattan) and Rochester (lots of culture for its size, walkable city).

[garmin239]

ADK if you think that all there is to do in Plattsburgh is drink, I suggest you get out more. I went to school there and it was a great school with great professors. I found there was plenty to do besides drink. There is fishing, hiking, rafting, snowboarding, boating etc that you mentioned. Its a great place for outdoor activities. For a tiny city there is a good deal of culture. I was your typical frat boy jock type that was not interested in culture and managed to stumble upon unique musical performances and arts.
Its not the mecca of fun, but its not the boring wasteland like you describe.

[ADKBiker]

Originally Posted by nunoco

ADK has a much harsher view of Plattsburgh than I do. Moved from NYC with family and couldn't be happier with the schools and the situation for the kids. Also have met a lot of great couples with kids who are smart, interesting people. The college is actually underrated (it's only the education dept. that's having problems; many other programs are outstanding) and getting better quality students. Winter's long, yes, but I don't find it worse than NYC, with its wind and rain.
That said, I think the 'Burgh is a tough place right now for people from 22-35 or so. There's culture coming, slowly but surely, but it's obviously too slow for ADKbiker.
So I'd look at Troy (near Albany, great downtown, college town, EZ Amtrak ride to Manhattan) and Rochester (lots of culture for its size, walkable city).

Exactly what do yo mean by culture? Explain this to me. I taught at SUNY Plattsburgh and you get much more out of other SUNY schools for the same price and why does it have such high transfer out rate? It is beautiful up here but so is Alaska. It is a great place for summer vacations or winter fun but not for a young single Mom at the age of 26 years old with a child. Take a drive up people and see it for yourself. I would definetly do it in the winter and early spring (basically most of the year) to get a real feel of what it is like. It is a beautiful ride. People say it is affordable to live here. Well...gas price are higher here, your vehicles takes a serious beating, heating bills will be through the roof, high taxes (well, that's NY). I'm just telling the truth. I might sound a little harsh but it definitely will take many years before it becomes something. It does have great potential and Plattsburgh could take advantage of the lake. I know poeple who work with the financial side of things around here and they all agree that there are no jobs here. No industry, no middle working class. Some of the companies up here are pulling out. It is a tough place but it is beautiful.

The better place to find a job would be Burlington VT. Now, that's what I call culture! Decent music scene, great food, plenty of art and the people are super friendly. It is a beautiful, expensive ride on a ferry across the lake (will cost you $360-$400 a month if you commute) but you will have a better chance of finding a job there. I will say that the summer and fall are absolutely beautiful but short. I am not saying it is terrible and hate it (I have been up here for 7 years). It is a tough place for young adults. Hopefully in the future.

[HomerBrink]

Honeybee-some of the best school districts in NY State are in the Albany area. The Albany City schools might not be so great but don't dismiss Loudonville, Delmar, Bethlehem, Slingerlands, Niskayuna ets.

[faithfulFrank]

You may want to consider the Batavia area. 30 miles from both Rochester and Buffalo. Thruway exit. Reasonable home prices.
Genesee county has some good schools......growing community. Nice downtown. Paid fire, Paramedics and Police.

Rural county. County seat is Batavia, about 15,000 people. We have a Walmart, new Target, a Home Depot, etc. Darien Lake theme park is just 8 miles away, Letchworth State park is also not far.

I think Batavia is just right...not too big, but not too small. Two big cities just 25 minutes away.

I've lived here over 30 years....getting old enough now to think about retiring to the sunbelt.

Frank D.

[nunoco]

Originally Posted by ADKBiker

Exactly what do yo mean by culture? Explain this to me.... It is a great place for summer vacations or winter fun but not for a young single Mom at the age of 26 years old with a child. ... Burlington VT. Now, that's what I call culture!

By culture: A few weeks ago, I attended a free talk on campus with the best-selling author Mark Kurlansky (who's famous for writing books on 1968, salt and cod--no, seriously, they're excellent, fun reads) on non-violence, on a Friday night. On Saturday morning, I took the family to a maple sugar farm 15 minutes out of town for a jam-packed pancake breakfast and farm tour. On Monday night, I went to a well-attended lecture by PBS News Hour anchor Ray Suarez on the state of the media. Didn't have to get drunk for any of them!
Also, I missed the French film festival on campus that week, because, as often happens, the local paper didn't advance/promote it properly.
But as I said, I'm in agreement with you that it's tough for people 22-35 here--though you can have that kind of demographic's fun visiting Burlington and Montreal. And as I said, I'd recommend looking at Troy as well (might be good for you, too, ADKbiker).
I just thought the trashing of the Burgh was a bit over the top.