Albany vs Rochester (New York, Buffalo, Syracuse: transplants, real estate, home)

[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

[lisamayq]

I moved to Albany from New Hampshire. I thought I would miss New Hamshire very much, but found that I loved ALbany. It's a great little city...has restaurants, theater, cultural events, close to the Berkshires and Saratoga (lots of summer activities in both areas mentioned. )Real Estate is very resonable and there are many historic areas if that's your interest. Short train ride into NYC. I can't say enought good things.

Now onto Rochester, and I apologize to anyone who is from there. They have a very slick marketing campaign and it appears that it's a great place. I bought into the advertising, and we visited there for a week looking to buy something. After about 4 hours I was ready to leave. There are some nice surrounding communities, but downtown Rochester is all hype and does not deliver as promised.

[garmin239]

Albany and Rochester are similar. Rochester is a bit bigger. I'd say Rochester has more to offer as far as culture and nightlife, but Albany is decent too. Rochester just has more since its bigger. I don't know what the person above me is talking about. I can't think of 1 thing that Albany has that Rochester does not. If anything Rochester has more.

[jkc1970]

Originally Posted by lisamayq

I moved to Albany from New Hampshire. I thought I would miss New Hamshire very much, but found that I loved ALbany. It's a great little city...has restaurants, theater, cultural events, close to the Berkshires and Saratoga (lots of summer activities in both areas mentioned. )Real Estate is very resonable and there are many historic areas if that's your interest. Short train ride into NYC. I can't say enought good things.

Now onto Rochester, and I apologize to anyone who is from there. They have a very slick marketing campaign and it appears that it's a great place. I bought into the advertising, and we visited there for a week looking to buy something. After about 4 hours I was ready to leave. There are some nice surrounding communities, but downtown Rochester is all hype and does not deliver as promised.

Thank you for your response Lisamayq. You said you moved from New Hampshire. Did you relocate with a job or did you decide to move to be closer to family? Why did you choose Albany? Also, were you trying to decide between Albany and Rochester as far as relocating? I'm just curious why you chose to move to Albany

[jkc1970]

Originally Posted by garmin239

Albany and Rochester are similar. Rochester is a bit bigger. I'd say Rochester has more to offer as far as culture and nightlife, but Albany is decent too. Rochester just has more since its bigger. I don't know what the person above me is talking about. I can't think of 1 thing that Albany has that Rochester does not. If anything Rochester has more.

Hi garmin239, I agree that most of the upstate cities (Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, Albany) probably offer much of the same amenities. I guess I am trying to get a feel for the people - someone in another thread had indicated that Albany does not have as much a community feel as Rochester. Also, some other comments indicate that Rochester is more "midwestern" and Albany has more population from NYC and New Jersey. I am originally from the midwest, Ohio, and I thought it was interesting that people characterized Western New York as somewhat "midwestern" in character. Have you lived in both areas? Which would you prefer to live in if given a choice?

[Sgoldie]

That's a toughie. The only thing I can add is that Albany, being the capital has more people that work in state jobs. It's also equidistant from NYC and Boston. The surrounding cities are also larger and older.

Rochester is great cause it's between Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes. I've never met anyone from there who I didn't like, just the sweetest people around.

[garmin239]

Originally Posted by jkc1970

Hi garmin239, I agree that most of the upstate cities (Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, Albany) probably offer much of the same amenities. I guess I am trying to get a feel for the people - someone in another thread had indicated that Albany does not have as much a community feel as Rochester. Also, some other comments indicate that Rochester is more "midwestern" and Albany has more population from NYC and New Jersey. I am originally from the midwest, Ohio, and I thought it was interesting that people characterized Western New York as somewhat "midwestern" in character. Have you lived in both areas? Which would you prefer to live in if given a choice?

People wise, I would not say there is much difference. People in Albany were very friendly. To me at least. I didnt find them standoffish at all. Most of the people I went to college with were from either Albany or the NYC area and I really did not find any similarities between the two groups. Albany people were just like the people I grew up with in Rochester. I have not lived in Albany but spent enough time there to meet many many people and I did not come across many from NYC or Jersey with the exception of transient college students. I think the western ny cities may be more midwestern as far as some of the neighborhoods are set up. With the exception of a couple of neighborhoods, Albany was set up in a similar way. I would not say that the western ny cities are straight up midwestern because I have been to places such as Cleveland and Chicago and I found many differences. I'd say the western ny cities are more of a mix.

[dialuvsjeeps]

Hi,
I am familiar with both area's I live in Lk. Luzene, by Lk. George. I have a camp on Lk. Ontario. I love that area. I get out of my home area in the summer because of the summer people. Snooty. The rochester area, Lk. Ontario area, NOT. They are wonderful. I don't care for Albany, I have to go there alot, I used to work in the area all the time. Even the summer vistors to the rochester and western NY area are very nice. I guess, it's all in what kind of people you like, maybe check out the job market in both area's, that should be a big help in your decision. Dianne

[I'minformed2]

I haven't spent much time in Albany, only been there a few times. But I am from Rochester (so obvious bias) but in all seriousness, Rochester has a very strong sense of community that I believe Albany lacks...mostly because Albany has many more transplants. Rochester is the CENTER of the world of photography, known as "the imaging capital of the world", and has tons of hiking/biking trails, scenic lakes (the finger lakes and lake ontario in particular) all nearby. Albany, from what I've experienced, is a bit more "uppity" and concerned more with business, while Rochester is more laid back and family/community oriented...you know what I mean?

[Vagus]

Originally Posted by i'minformed

Rochester is the CENTER of the world of photography

. . . Or used to be, until Kodak missed the boat on the digital revolution

(Disclaimer: I lived in Albany and, despite some initial misgivings, ended up really liking it, so, yes, I am probably biased, nevertheless . . . )

The Albany - Syracuse - Rochester - Buffalo corridor is all very similar in terms of what amenities the cities offer. Exceptions: More snow and pro football/hockey in Buffalo. All have OK if not world class cultural infrastructure, each has at least one major university and medical center; all have +/- in terms of weather and surrounding countryside. If I had to rank my choices, I'd put them as:

1) Albany -- most stable economy d/t the big government/civil service sector, easiest access to other major cities (NY, Boston, Montreal), IMHO the nicest surrounding countryside of the four -- easy trips to Catskills, Adirondacks, Berkshires, Green mtns. Downside: having lived there, I don't think the community leaders are all that progressive about improving/developing the city. It always seemed to me that Albany tends to look at many things the same way they looked at them in the 1930's, or the 1630's for that matter.

2) Buffalo -- I was very surprised the first time I visited Buffalo -- much nicer than I expected, especially in summer. Not too familiar with the local economy, maybe someone else can fill you in on that. NB: the "original" Buffalo wings at the Anchor Bar or whatever it's called were a MAJOR disappointment! I've had much better elsewhere!

3) Rochester -- Easy access to Great and Finger lakes, economy heavily dependent on Kodak and some other tenuous industries, great college and medical center (Univ Rochester), Tends, I think, to be somewhat rainier and gloomier than the other cities

4) Syracuse -- honestly, I don't have much great to say about Syracuse. Nothing too horrible, either. It's just always struck me as kind of run down and somewhat depressing. Easy accesss to finger lakes and adirondacks though if you need to get away.

As far as how nice people are, well, you can find nice people as well as a55holes just about anywhere.

One last thing, since you say you're single: NONE of these places are particularly happening spots with regard to nightlife. I can see how a young, single post-college 22-35 year old could get somewhat bored with any of them, unless you are very outdoors oriented and like taking off for the woods/mountains/lakes and don't care much about urban nightlife.