Moving to Elmira Area - NEED INPUT!

[keveland]

I have lived in Elmira for the past 25 years. I can tell you that Elmira is a great place to raise a family, regardless of the that we have two prisons in our area that do attract the big city crouds, and a couple of housing "projects" that draw a shady crowd. There is much more to our area. I grew up near Elmira College and went to Elmira Free Academy. West Elmira has always be considered the creme da la creme of neighborhoods. I personally think that folks pay WAY too much to live there and it is more of a status that a smart choice. The "Near Westside Neighborhood" is an historical district that lies between downtown and westside. For the most part, they are lovely, large older homes. Some are tenancies, some owned and some are converted for businesses. I lived there for many years and like it very much because they have their own neighborhood businesses including a floral shop, dry cleaners, pharmacy, Wilson Farms, gas station, post office, liquor store, etc. Like with any area, we have the nasty east side sometimes cause drama in the nicer areas - but you have that in Rocherster too. Being that I went to EFA I would never have drempt that I would end up living on the Southside! :-) The Southside does have a couple of small ugly spots (like on Spaulding Street), but for the most part it is very nice. When we bought our house we chose Fairway Ave. Half of Fairway has a smaller street and ends up in Southport, but our half is a doublewide street with a childrens park with Miller Pond at one end and our back yard faces McNaught field where the kids practice football, folks walk their dogs, play softball, golf ,etc. We absolutely love the area. Southside High has started surpassing EFA as the school to attend because of the violence and drugs at EFA in recent years. I understand SSH is also surpassing EFA for their academics as well. I agree that Southport is also a good choice - and better property taxes. The main places to avoid living are near northside, east side and the downtown area. Stick to Westside if you don't mind high taxes and have the dough to shell out on your house. Southside and Southport will probably get your best bang for your buck and if you check out the specific area around a house you are interested in before you buy, you should make out fine. Good luck!

[msiglin]

I was born, raised and still live in Elmira. My Wife and I along with our three kids (now 16, 18 and 24 years old) live in a very nice house on the Southside of Elmira. Our kids all attended the Elementary school down the street from our home. From there, they attended Broadway Middle School and on to Southside High School. Quality Parenting leads to Our children have and are growing up with what I believe is a Quality Education, Great Living Environment, Quality College Opportunities (CCC, SUNY, Cornell, Ithaca, Elmira etc.) and Employment Opportunities (within the City and definitely within Chemung County). Certainly there are bad areas of this city and county, but I believe you could say that of 99.9% of all areas. There are definitely opportunities to purchase and or build homes in many areas at very reasonable prices. Home life is exactly what you make of it. Our oldest now lives about 20 miles north of Philadelphia and would move back in a heartbeat if if weren't for his current obligations for his home and work.

Elmira and Chemung County are what you make of it. It's historic, scenic, accessible, affordable and enjoyable. Best of Luck with your search for a home and your new job.

[43bonnie]

Keveland, thank you for your input on Elmira. We are moving there. My husband is in Batavia and just started his classes today for supervisor training with the post office. He grew up in Williamsport PA and that is why we are moving there. The kids and I are moving there in June when school lets out here in Wyoming. I have never lived anywhere else, and hope the choice to move is not regretted. Thank you for giving me an idea of where I want to consider buying our house. It is hard to tell the good and bad areas of a town just by looking at it. Any other info you can supply would be greatly appreciated.