Want to move to upstate NY...maybe? (Buffalo, Rochester: homes, community college)

[joan12]

Hi,

I am from the Upstate NY area - Finger Lakes Region. Real estate is cheap compared to other parts of the NE and New England. However, job growth and job opportunity has been an issue since the 1980's. Not much has improved. I do not live there any longer, but do have family still living in that area. Economy still not so great - city and county posiitions, prisons guards, wineries, and farmers and some factory employment. Also, many indian tribes are in court claiming property. Syracuse has quite a few health facilities where there is job growth. The entire CNY region is bleak!!

J

[joan12]

Hi again,

Western NY might be the best fit for you job wise and culturally. The city of Rochester has a great shcool system and the neighborhoods are diverse and culturally friendly.

J

[I'minformed2]

the suburbs of Rochester have great school systems...the city does not. I think that's what you may have meant but I just wanted to clarify it. The city does have many nice neighborhoods though.

[I'minformed2]

Haven't noticed any "slime" here in Rochester. I'll agree our taxes are high and economy needs improvement (though the economy is slow in most of the country now)...but I don't feel we're being outrun by "slime" from NJ, NY and CT. I felt there were too many people from the NY metro area coming and lowering the quality of life in North Carolina when I lived there; but I still wouldn't call them "slime"

[artsavesanimals]

I would never move to the three areas you mentioned UNLESS I had a dream job waiting. Those towns are simply not culturally, aesthetically, or architecturally rich. If you want to move to the Northeast and do not mind snow (I hate it) look into charming places like many small cities in southern Vermont like Bennington, towns north of NYC along the Hudson like New Paltz, or even Saratoga north of Albany (where I currently live and am planning to move from).

Those three places are pit stops, isolated and cold. There are reasons they are cheap! And none of them are even near urban centers of note. Depends on what is important to you though. Good luck.

[garmin239]

artsavesanimals, you obviously have not been to those three cities mentioned. There is plenty of culture and interesting architecture in them. They are all within driving distance to much larger urban centers also.

[skbs]

Originally Posted by artsavesanimals

I would never move to the three areas you mentioned UNLESS I had a dream job waiting. Those towns are simply not culturally, aesthetically, or architecturally rich. If you want to move to the Northeast and do not mind snow (I hate it) look into charming places like many small cities in southern Vermont like Bennington, towns north of NYC along the Hudson like New Paltz, or even Saratoga north of Albany (where I currently live and am planning to move from).

Those three places are pit stops, isolated and cold. There are reasons they are cheap! And none of them are even near urban centers of note. Depends on what is important to you though. Good luck.

WOW... I believe this person is not completely informed on the areas mentioned... Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse are not ISOLATED PIT STOPS... they are cold- but I believe that was a plus in prior comments... This sounds like Upstate VS Western NY... unfortunately NYS is divided by Western, Central, Upstate, Downstate, NYC... so on and blah blah blah- Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse are part of Upstate- but they aren't seen as an official part of the Whole... we are WESTERN?CENTRAL NYers... NYS is not a united front and the further you get from NYC you might as well be from PA or Cananda for all they care... If you are interested in WNY anyone from the Eastern portion of Upstate on down to NYC will try and talk you out of it even if they have never stepped foot West of the Hudson...

[RS085]

You're coming to New York State and you're worried about diversity?

I don't get it people. New York is one of the most diverse states, and that INCLUDES Upstate and Western NY.

Go to Utica, quite possibly the most diverse city of 60,000 people. Almost half of which from NYC.

If you wanna roots for the ****ty Buffalo Sabres and Bills then got o Western NY, but if you wanna deal with the greatest teams then move to Utica/Albany/downstate (Rangers, Knicks, Giants/Jets, Yanks/Mets)

[rosette8]

Originally Posted by I'minformed2

as a current resident of upstate NY...I'd suggest not basing your decision off the above post. Not just because it's ridiculous...but because I believe the "upstate ny" that poster is referring to is really Orange/Putnam counties. Overrun by people from NYC/NJ and CT...not the real upstate. That's downstate to most people.

Actually....Capital District is NOT Orange/Putnam counties. Maybe you haven't been to this part of the state in a while, but I would consider it a big melting pot in terms of race and economic areas. GE has 90% of all of there PhD.s in Niskayuna, many of which are international families.

Higher education which is what the OP is looking for job-wise, is huge here: 11 higher ed. schools! Yes, there are more NY/NJ people coming, but most who come all the way up to the Tri-City area, are looking for "the country" and live in small towns in the Capital District outlaying areas. I have not encountered the attitude ( I lived in NYC for 2 years and know it well...although i didn't mind it)

I grew up in Syracuse and my husband in Ithaca....wouldn't touch either city, personally, but know it is fine for others. I like being closer to the big cities: 3 hours to Boston or Montreal and 2.5 from NYC...and the best up-state weather...IMHO!

Good Luck on your search!

[CraftLadyKim]

Check out the east side of upstate NY, the Saratoga area is beautiful and doesen't get quite as much snow from what I remember. It's a very cultural and artsy area!