Albany vs Rochester (New York, Buffalo, Troy: relocation, home, rent)

[rochacha]

"My experience is taht Albany offers advantages Rochester does not. Our location is very central to NYC, BOSTON, and Montreal. Lots of great outdoor stuff here, especiall the Catskill and Adirondack MTS. Socially, Albany supports a great young singles culture - and the job market is pretty strong. As the state capital, there are many state workers around. "

Ah, but Rochester is very close to Toronto (3 hours). I'd take Toronto over NYC or Boston any day (never been to Montreal). The finger lakes and Lake Ontario is every bit as nice as the Catskills and Adirondacks (except maybe skiing, definite advantage if you are a wine fan). Albany does have a better public job market if you want to be part of the incredible burden of NYS in terms of taxes and inept government. Rochester has much better culture in terms of universities, museums, and other philanthropic results of George Eastman.

I saw an earlier posting that the economy is heavily dependent on Kodak and Xerox, but I don't think that has been true in several years...at least for anyone under 40.

[I'minformed2]

Indeed....The days where Kodax, Xerox, and Bauch&Lomb were the total muscle of the Rochester economy are over. Smaller high tech firms, and the regions numerous colleges and universities are the backbone of the new Rochester economy...it's diversified over the past decade.

[sumnerfaye]

My husband and I are thinking about moving to Rochester. He is a chef and I am an Occupational Therapist hoping to find a job at a hospital. We are looking at buying a house for the first time. I am from Montana and love it. My husband is from Conneticut and I love it there too. We currently live in Phoenix and hate the heat and lack of outdoor activities (ie: mountains, trees, hiking, camping) We enjoy the outdoors. What is your opinion? Do you think we would like it in Rochester?

[Vagus]

Originally Posted by acnemaster

I lived in Albany. I think it is the lost location of the Garden of Eden. We have unicorns running around all over the place and there is a pot of gold under every bridge. Young beautiful people flock to this city like the salmon of Capastrano. It is quite possibly the only successful untopian society ever concieved. If you move here you will be blessed with living in the greatest spot on Earth.

George Washington once said "If I could go back and change one thing about building this young nation...I would have made the Capital Albany, NY." Or at least I have heard he said that.

Word??

LOL!!!!
"Salmon of Capastrano . . . " Gotta love it!

[Vagus]

Originally Posted by sumnerfaye

My husband and I are thinking about moving to Rochester. He is a chef and I am an Occupational Therapist hoping to find a job at a hospital. We are looking at buying a house for the first time. I am from Montana and love it. My husband is from Conneticut and I love it there too. We currently live in Phoenix and hate the heat and lack of outdoor activities (ie: mountains, trees, hiking, camping) We enjoy the outdoors. What is your opinion? Do you think we would like it in Rochester?

Not sure, but I bet you'd like Albany. I'd bet you both find jobs pretty easily, plus, it's closer to Connecticut than Rochester is . . .

[I'minformed2]

Originally Posted by sumnerfaye

My husband and I are thinking about moving to Rochester. He is a chef and I am an Occupational Therapist hoping to find a job at a hospital. We are looking at buying a house for the first time. I am from Montana and love it. My husband is from Conneticut and I love it there too. We currently live in Phoenix and hate the heat and lack of outdoor activities (ie: mountains, trees, hiking, camping) We enjoy the outdoors. What is your opinion? Do you think we would like it in Rochester?

I think you would love the Rochester/Fingerlakes region. There are hiking trials in the city itslef in its many parks, as well as the surrounding region. The closest mountaains would be the Adirondacs, about a 2 1/2-3 hour drive away. There's cross country skiing in the winter, and tons of biking and hiking trails all around in the spring summer and fall. Biking down the erie canal is a very popular outdoor activity in the Rochester suburbs...its nicest around Fairport and Pittsford.

[EugeneBKLYN]

Originally Posted by rochacha

Ah, but Rochester is very close to Toronto (3 hours). I'd take Toronto over NYC or Boston any day (never been to Montreal).

I've been to Toronto, Montreal, and I live in NYC. I'd also take Toronto.
Simply because the people there are nicer, the air is cleaner, and summer nights don't stay in the 80s Fahrenheit (Ugh, NYC.)

[Orwelleaut]

Originally Posted by jkc1970

Hello, I posted once a while back regarding relocating to Albany, New York. I have done a lot of research and now from some of the posts I have read I am interested in Rochester too. It sounds like people like Rochester better. Does anyone have any information on comparing the two.

I am single with no kids so school systems really aren't too important in my decision process at this point. Also, I know that Rochester gets a lot more snow than Albany. As long as they clear the roads, that's okay with me. I currently live in Colorado and am used to snow. I guess I am trying to compare people, community spirit, etc. One post I had read indicated that Rochester has more of a friendly atmosphere. As far as things to do, I like outdoor activities - hiking, photography, etc. I work in commmercial banking and I think I would probably be able to get a job.

Could anyone familiar with both places give me some pros and cons about them or maybe some major differences (besides snow)

Thanks

Western NY feels like Northern Ohio or Michigan in comparison to the Eastern sections of upstate. Being from Northeast Ohio and having travelled in upstate NY a fair amount, I found that upstate feels progressively more Eastern as one heads East, and pretty similar to Ohio in the Western sections.

Speech pattern is certainly a noticeable element. In Western New York, one does not hear much of an Eastern accent. Folks drink pop, and tend to speak with the rounded vowels of the upper Midwest and Canada. One also does not hear the Eastern accent in words like barrier and carrier, and the "r" syllable is strong. I never felt like I was in the East in Western NY, but felt very much that way in the Albany area. Albany feels like New England to me, but ROchester pretty similar to Ohio. I think, socially, an informal friendliness is what makes the midwest midwestern. MOst of all, though, what matters is what we are used to and where we feel comfortable. If one feels comfortable in the midwest socially, Buffalo and ROchester are good.

[mayra alamo]

Hi, my name is Mayra I spect to moving to Conneticut and I need a job as soon as posible

[varan07]

Wow, i just registered to this forum. Company i work for in Rochester has offered me a position in Albany, NY which would double my salary and other perks as well. Moving to another city is the biggest question mark in my head. I really like Rochester however, over the past couple of years and especially after getting out of college finding a job that pays well has been just awfull. Taxes on houses are really high and over all its a nice place to live but it is definetely not an ideal place to be in Rochester if you are looking for work. Any opinions on Albany?