Moving to Utica!!!! HELP!! (Buffalo, Rochester: appointed, homes, school)

[PaMeLa0415]

I currently live in Queens, NY....I'm 18 years old and I'm planning to move to Utica/Rome to attend Mohawk Valley Community college. I have no clue how it is up there. I want some advice if im making the right decision. What are the things I can do?? Malls, shopping centers? Clubs? Jobs? It is very important to me because i will be living on my own....

[Sgoldie]

That area would be far from my choice. Is there a reason you've chosen that school/city?

[aka_mouse]

I was up there at SUNYIT for school last semester and came back to Buffalo. If youre a student it probably wouldn't be so bad if you like the school and the students and all that.

I actually kind of liked some aspects of Utica, the main problem is just that the city has been hit the hardest of all the upstate cities. There is a ton of history there and lots of cool buildings downtown. I liked Varick st., tho I only got to go down there a few times. Varick is where the brewery is and all the bars and stuff. There is also some clubs and bars on or around Genesee st. If you do a google search for "utica" and "bars" you'll find "the Pulse" website.. lots of info there. The forums however are basically just a perpetual flamewar, not much info there, tho fun to read and post in.

If youre going to work in retail or some low level job like that while you are there, then yeah you'll have no problem (at least I dont think you would). Theres lots of restaurants, gas stations, and chain stores that Im sure are hiring. Theres also the Sangertown Mall on the 8/12 arterial there on the border with Utica and New Hartford.

The place seems kinda depressing mainly just cause of everyones attitudes and the population has been diminished. Also there is this weird racial tension between the Bosnians and whites in the city. I didnt really see it too much but I heard about it. It didnt seem so bad to me tho since Im from Buffalo, I used to seeing urban decay, it didnt seem that horrible, just your normal gritty upstate city. (I actually prefer it to the fakeness you see down in the 'New South')



Also, for no reason at all: Heres a cartoon set in Utica for you

http://www.frankrause.com/media/UticaMed.mov

[aka_mouse]

I forgot to mention, I went to school at SUNYIT with quite a few people from the NYC city area. A lot of them appreciated getting away from the congestion, so depending on your personality , you might like that, I dunno. Utica has, also, at times been called 'Little NY' cause the large amount of Italian heritage there (also true of Rome, NY). Lots of Italian restaurants. You can try the regional speciaties like Tomato Pie (which I never even heard of till I got out there) and there is also Utica greens which I never got to try. and I love Utica Club beer!!!!!!!!

[BKQC]

aka mouse has given you good advice. I grew up in Utica and get back at least once a year. It's got some great aspects (cheap Italian food being one) but can be a very depressing city. There are quite a few NYC students at Utica College as well as MVCC. Most of them either love the slower lifestyle or absolutely hate it. Make friends on campus, get to know where the cheap eating and drinking hangouts are, try and avoid the negativity of the locals, and you'll be fine.

Also, in addition to the tomato pie and Utica Club, grab a pizza at Oscugnizzo's, some Utica chicken riggies at any of the local restaurants, try a pustie at the Florentine, and a half moon and jelly donut from Holland Farms.

[PaMeLa0415]

Thank a lot!!! If u guys know where Flushing is then you'll understand what I mean, I want it to be a different experience for me that's why I'm considering Utica. What scares me is that I'm going to get there and its going to be an isolated place or that I'm not going to know what to do. I'm going in two weeks to visit the place and see how it is so I can get an idea.

[aka_mouse]

i never been to Flushing (or even NYC for that matter).. but I mean it depends on what you mean by isolated. Utica, its only a little bigger than the suburb of Buffalo I live in now (Utica is like 65k people, my town Hamburg is like 60k people) But Utica is definatly an urban environment within the city limits (minus towering skyscrapers) where as my town is just single family homes and small flat businesses for miles. From Utica, Syracuse is like 50 miles away, Albany 90. Theres also the whole mega cities vs. smaller cities thing going on. All the cities across NYS - Buffalo, Rochester, etc are all cities to me. To someone from NYC , they might seem like towns, I really don't know.

You'll be coming westbound off the 90. So after the toll booths you can get onto Genesee north (right) which is more the suburbs (just single family homes) or go over the bridge and enter onto genesee south and you'll drive into the more urban area.

[sablebaby]

What about Ilion or Herkimer? My family lives in Ilion and I spent most of my summers there while growing up. I haven't been back in a few years, but it always seemed like a relaxed, peaceful place to live (except for the family!).

[GinaArc]

Don't believe all you hear about Utica. Yes, Utica, like most upstate cities have lost a ton of jobs. This once beautiful city of over 100,000 has now dwindled to approx 60,000. The refuge center in Utica has helped place many different nationalities in the area. So it is truly very diverse. Yes, the locals and the Bosnians have had quite a bit of problems..but that too has been calming down.
The area is rich in history, for a while it was known as Sin City, due to the mafia connections and many unsolved murders...but that was in the 40's. The area is centrally located...with a wide range of outdoor activities..that is if you like nice clean air. The Adirondacks is just up state route 12. Many lakes and trails, camping, fishing, boating,jetskiing and just hanging out at the" beach."..which would be Sylvan Beach...locals call it the beach...but surely not the only on. The beach is where many college kids hang in the summer..it is on the largest lake inside NYS...Oneida. You have the Turning Stone Casino, which has a great lineup of concerts. You are just down the road from Syracuse....40 minutes you are there.
And most of the locals are NOT depressing...we choose to live here and enjoy the 4 seasons...the area...and the fun...so take a ride up and visit Utica..you won't be disappointed.

[D the Shadowman]

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