Binghamton -- What do I Need to Know? (Buffalo, Ithaca: house, neighborhood)

[omadsa]

I have posted a few times now . . . but thought I'd start my own thread. Basically, my husband and I (in our mid-twenties) are moving to Binghamton (West Side) at the end of the month from Ithaca, and I know little of the area besides the stores in Vestal, Lost Dog Cafe and Whole in the Wall, and various other places of that nature.

What kinds of things do you think people moving to the area should know about? In general? Community groups (I found some info about the Triple Cities Runners Club -- great!)? Nature trails? Festivals/events? Coffee shops?

Also, are there any places we should avoid? We're still not familiar with the layout and different areas around the city.

Oh yeah: I'm not looking for more information on how "boring" the area is or how there's "nothing there." I get it, it's not NYC.

[Tioga]

The Binghamton Press puts out a real good guide to the southern tier..at least once a year. Go online to their website..Pressconnects..and see if you can get a copy. If the realtors were smart they'd get a bunch of those for newbies to the area. You don't exactly live a continent away...drive over and start from Owego and continue east..checking the area out.

[omadsa]

Thanks, Tioga!

[ekahbbekah]

Check out Chris's Diner downtown...State St... bacon egg and cheese on a bagel is the best... coffee is great there. It's loud and very greek and very informal. You may be scared at first but you will get used to it. Chris and Nikki own it... it's entertaining to watch Chris and his son Peter cook... so you can sit at the bar if you want to watch the show.

BTW, my parents will be selling their home on the west side, on Lincoln Ave... it's right around the corner from Rec Park and the neighbors are EXCELLENT! It's a great neighborhood. PM me if you want more info.

[omadsa]

Thanks for the tip! We love diners

[jstrazik]

Hi Omadsa,


It's difficult for me to zero in on what's happening in the Binghamton area without knowing your interests. There is always something going on.

Off the top of my head:

Ethnic festivals, marathons, ball games, art walks, golf courses, tennis courts, live music, wine tastings, hiking, camping, fishing, dancing, field days, car races, stand-up comedy, kayaking, ice skating, film festivals, star gazing, and so on.

Some Events:

Speedie Fest. Lots of food and festivities. Spend some cash and ride a hot air balloon.
Live at 5. A clambake/cookout with live music and, of course, drinking downtown every Friday.
The Jazz Festival.
PGA Tour.
The Pro Tennis Tour.
And much, much more.

Never go franchised. Binghamton has several exceptional restaurants in a variety of price ranges. If you would like some recommendations, I'd be more than happy to write back with restaurants and their locations.

When you read the slew of comments stating there is nothing to do in Binghamton, what you're reading about people who are too bland to get out there and enjoy life.


Enjoy.

[LaClair]

My wife and I just rented a house in the southside of Binghamton, much closer to where she works (Lourdes) than 30 miles away in PA (where she has lived for most of her life).

jstrazik, I personally would love to hear about some of those restaurants and locations. I moved here from Vermont just this past winter (we are newlyweds).

I've heard/read a lot of good, and a lot of bad about Binghamton - but it seems that's the way it is with EVERY city. All depends on whom you talk to. Where I was in Vermont is VERY boring, compared to what I've already seen in Bing.

[gold dust]

Binghamton is great!!! Hope you love it and are enjoying your new life there!

[ScranBarre]

Binghamton is a wonderful little city. It's a shame that just like its sister city of Scranton it is nothing but the butt of cruel jokes.

[Mercator Projection]

Originally Posted by LaClair

I personally would love to hear about some of those restaurants and locations. I moved here from Vermont just this past winter (we are newlyweds).

Best thing I can say about Binghamton is that it has great food.

My favorites from my ten years there (I moved away in 2004):

Number 5, Lost Dog are well known and good so I won't mention them.

Whole in the Wall is one of my wife's favorites. I had some pesto there that had way too much garlic and it put me off the place.

Bar none, the BEST pasta ever is Little Venice in downtown Bingo. Homemade! My wife and I don't have many great things to say about Binghamton, but we both agree that two orders of pasta, two salads, and two glasses of chianti - all for ~$25 - is the best meal in town.

Vestal Bakery. My wife would disagree, but I just loved their sandwiches. I think they had the best spiedies in town. The Spiedie and Rib Pit is good, but they fancy up their sandwiches with gimicks, e.g. Buffalo Chicken Spiedie - which is good, but it is not a real spiedie. Another excellent spieidie comes from Sharkey's on the north side. Order with a side of salt potatoes for the real experience.

PNP Deli in Johnson City. Good old fashioned German butcher. Great deli food. Great beer selection (retail, not on tap).

Consul's in Endicott has a grilled pizza for which I called ahead to order and drove all the way out to Endicott from the southside on many many occasions.

My Dad always requested Cortese's restaurant on the East side. He loved it and I thought it was always yummy, but I just preferred Little Venice for Italian.

I only went there once, but there was a place called 'PS' in the Giant plaza across from Town Square Mall. Very good. It was a little pricey, but tastey. Good place for a date.

And finally, there's a place next to the Leroy package store called What's Your Beef? I never went, but I know many Bingo natives and west side locals who really liked it.


Probably several I'm forgetting.