What is Upstate???

[Becca8377]

I find it interesting that this thread has gone on for 18 pages. Basically it shows that there is no clear definition of upstate vs downstate, it really is only a matter of opinion. No one is right and no one is wrong. No need for some people to get so hostile towards each other saying their opinion is fact

[NYisontop]

There is no absolute demarcation, it's relative and has adjusted with time. For some 'Upstate' is anything north of the city. In the 1800s the Bronx was 'Upstate', as it wasn't incorporated into Manhattan, and the state was historically split between the City and Upstate. I don't consider the lower Hudson Valley to be 'Upstate' but instead Downstate, but again then I denote the North Country, Central NY, Finger Lakes, Western New York, Hudson Valley, Southern Tier, and the Catskills often but sometimes reference all of NYS north of the city and immediate Westchester suburbs as 'Upstate'. So Upstate could (and does) incorporate all of these. You're really harkening to something that is somewhat cultural if not entirely geographic with terms like Upstate/Downstate, and if the influence of NYC is the determining factor, how do you draw the line? Everyone can draw it, and you'll have 19 million different lines (and 19 pages of this thread). Upstate, Downstate, it's all New York to me.

Couldn't agree more with a previous poster from the Bronx/Rockland that everyone should see the whole state. The most provincial simple-minded people never leave home and bicker the most about the opposite side of the state, many having never lived or worked elsewhere or visited beyond a fleeting time or two.

[alw1964]

I haven't read through all the posts but will give my 2 cents.

I live in Rochester. I always figured upstate depends on where you live. If you live in NYC or LI everything is upstate. I used to think of it as west and north of Albany.

I've heard it described as everyting North of the 42nd parellel. It obviously means different things to different people. I used to love "Law and Order" but was alway amused when they used the term, "oh yeah they found the fugitive on a farm "upstate"". Well that narrows it down.

Our state is so diverse geographically, politically, economically etc. Every region WNY, CNY, NNY, Southern Tier, etc has areas within the Region. While Watertown and Saranac Lake may both be in NNY both are very different.

Each area has something unique about it and each has its own treasures and its own problems.

So I guess upstate means whatever the person talking about it thinks it means.

[nei]

Growing up in Long Island my image of upstate was a land of hills and snowy winters. Bear Mountain marks the start of taller hills and past there snowfall is almost double Long Island.

[montydean]

[quote=NYisontop;22967676]Upstate, Downstate, it's all New York to me.quote]

This.

[PulSamsara]

Thanks for informing us about what you don't think others know about - but that you do know about.