Where would be best? (New York, Poughkeepsie: sex offenders, high crime, townhomes)

[CampingMom]

Originally Posted by plattsburgher

Are you in the NYS retirement system at all? I know it may not be much but these days, NY has one of the best retirement benefits. I was thinking that you might want to hold on to that part of your life and either add to it by remaining in state if possible and either driving bus, or teaching assistant or whatever??????? It might just pay you back in a few years down the road.......I was a teaching assistant, then a school employee and no, I won't be rich at all when I retire, but I do know that the NYS retirement system is a financially sound one that will at least take care of some of my expenses later in life if I ever do retire..........If you are hospitality/tourism, between Chamber of Commerces, Adirondacks, Lake Placid, border, new airport, might be able to use the degree????? You sound like good peeps as my friend says.............You will be fine no matter where you end up, especially doing your homework now.............

Yes, I have worked for the school district long enough to be fully vested. I figure if we go somewhere, I could work in the transportation end again or do become a teacher's assistant. I can work just about anywhere-have the license-will travel. I've volunteered here when I did my interships with the local tourism agency, so from what I learned from that should be a good start too if I chose to stay within that field.

I know I'll have little trouble finding work. It's the hubby that's going to find it harder. He's been in the management end-dispatching the concrete, along with sales. Not sure what quarries up that way might fit what his been doing for 20 years and it'll be harder for him to find something he can do. That's where he's got to see what jobs he might be qualified to apply to. That's why we are taking our time before we leap.

[CampingMom]

Originally Posted by Pidgett

In a previous post, Bitburgsarah said:

"Dont go to plattsburgh that in itself will be a huge culture shock"

Bitburgsarah, why do you say this? Did you have a bad experience in Plattsburgh? I am curious because Camping Mom and her family would hardly have any culture shock going from the old Dutchess County of her youth to Plattsburgh. I believe the culture shock would be much more likely to occur with an ex-Staten Island, NYC resident, such as yourself, rather than a native Dutchess County resident.

If you could relate your feelings about Plattsburgh, it would be of great interest here on this forum. Thanks!

Nope, it wouldn't be a culture shock for us at all-it's what we grew up with. It's been a HUGE culture shock with the influx of downstaters here in Dutchess! I feel like the country bumpkin at times-I've even been told "why would you live in Fishkill your whole life" routine before. We've gone from knowing everyone, to knowing no one. I never see people I know when out shopping anymore. I feel like I'll have to turn off the light when I leave here since we'll be one of the last of the natives to leave.

[plattsburgher]

There was just some ad in the paper here last week for a quarry type job. This area has a few larger sites. I believe the name for the company here in Plattsburgh is Greymont Quarries and they have multiple sites. Also, may have Plattsburgh Quarry? We have tons of granite (Lake Champlain was formed and the Adirondacks actually carved when the ice age retreated back north and the ice melted and glaciers carved the mountains). Cool geological regions and some microregions around.....There are also quarries about 20 miles away in Ausable Forks, but I will look up the main name of the biggest employer..........I had a long and tiring weekend. College daughter downstate involved in major car accident.........fine, but totaled car, computer, no spring conference for pharmacy, but she is going to be fine. This is relaxing to check this site................Read where you didn't know anyone down there anymore......Pburgh is a good size place and it is growing, but not by leaps and bounds. Did church this am with younger daughter and her friend spent the night, then went to the SuperWalmart for some deals and supplies, etc and saw tons of my old neighbors and past coworkers and it was cool, then went over to the pool and paid 3 dollars for both daughter and myself to go swimming for the afternoon in the old Air Force Base pool. The town sponsors both Sunday afternoon and Friday night swim.........went to the movie yesterday and last night went to the newest bar and heard an Irish group and had some green beer with a few friends. Not stuck in traffic, didn't have to wait hours in line to get movie tickets, mall traffic wasn't nasty, it was snowing, but it was actually pretty and the roads were very well maintained. There is a sense of civic pride still here. We are a community and it is a great feeling. Not too big, not too small, with some Quebecers and Vermonters and college kids thrown in for fun...........Think it is definitely worth checking out since you sound like great folks. We like the fact that we aren't like every other place.........Could have gone x-country skiing today also in the state park right on the lake, but didn't have time........not a bad way to spend a weekend.........

[winnie]

There are quarries around NE PA, one is right off Rte 6 going towards Shohola. I don't know much about the industry except that the Poconos and the Delaware county area have a few of them.

[Pirateman]

Hannibal is affordable to live in its population is 17,500 and it is on the banks of the great mississipi river we have alot of tourism here

[Tina_CNY]

I would look at upstate or southern NY if I were you. I am "taking the plunge" and leaving NY. My brother already did, and my parents are taking the plunge with me. I live in Oswego. Nice charming town, but loaded with small town politics (not to mention the SNOW). The cost of living is very high and the economy is not that great. For us, NY used to be a great place tio live, but the constant changes do not favor our family. I cannot find a job because my field is highly saturated. My advice would be to keep researching areas. I would hate for you to find yourselves stuck. We are thinking of relocating to South Carolina, but haven't decided where yet - still researching. My brother is in Rock Hill. plattsburgher, what area are you referring to? I'm not aware of anyplace in NY where there are no hassles and letting your kids go free with no worries. Especially in this day and age. I've been staying in NY because it's home and I have roots here, but the cost of living and the weather is pushing me out. Taxes just went through the roof in Oswego not too long ago. My parents have moved a lot and one thing they continuously stress is to make sure you visit the areas you are considering and talk with people/employers and get a variety of perspectives from a variety of people. Good luck! :-)

[plattsburgher]

I couldn't live there either. Nothing against the people that stay there, but it is amazing how much snow those people have to deal with! There doesn't seem to be much to stimulate the economy there either. When I am talking about letting my children walk from school(s) or stop off at their friends or go to the mall alone, I am talking about here in Plattsburgh. I can't help it if you don't believe me, but people do tend to take care of each other here. Most people still have unlocked houses in many neighborhoods.... I go away to other places and visit other areas in the country, hear the bad stories and am glad to be back home. I am not saying that everything is perfect, but at least there are some areas here for economic growth. First, the Canadian developers and business people, now, the Vermonters are coming over to develop the cheap real estate, we also have a fairly large college employer, and a hospital that is expanding every year... Some rather nice plans seem to be coming together lately for more expansion, but I love the schools, the quality of life here and the relative lack of stress, noise, traffic. There are lots of recreational and outdoors things to do and the resources to do them. NY state may have a larger tax base, but look out when you get to some of the other, possibly southern states...........Our campgrounds and state parks are very well maintained as well as the roads, but I don't think you can say the same for other places.............maintenance and upkeep are not the same, neither is staffing or numbers of parks, etc..........Many times you actually do get what you pay for............ I don't pay thousands of dollars per year per child for private schools like my southern friends who won't send their children to the run-down, overcrowded, metal-detector entried schools there. My friends just treat paying thousands of dollars each year per child per school as part of a necessity. Because our schools are great, I don't have to do that. I might pay more in property tax, but I think again, I am getting a lifestyle that is healthier for me and my children. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This is what works for me and my family. I love the fact that when my kids get out of school, if I need a neighbor to take them home, they can do that. If I am ten minutes late, I don't have to worry that my child might not be there.........I don't worry and that is of itself........priceless.........

[Mark S.]

Plattsburgher,

I seem to remember someone in another thread commenting on how the prison near Plattsburgh is starting to bring in more "undesirables" into the area --- basically wives/girlfriends of hardcore inmates moving up to the area to be near the inmates and bringing the criminal lifestyle with them.

Is that true in your experience?

Are there any negatives in your opinion about Plattsburgh? And I know the weather won't bother me. I'm talking more about issues like crime and safety, good schools, cost of living, etc.

Are there any neighborhoods within Plattsburgh or small towns outside of town that might not be well-suited for family living? By that I mean higher crime, or maybe neighborhoods where lots of rentals go to college kids having frequent loud parties. That kind of stuff.

[stc123]

move to geneseo NY it is a great town it is a half hour from rochester NY the school is great there is about 9,000 pepole see http://www.geneseony.com/

[plattsburgher]

Hi.
Will try to answer as honestly as I possibly can and I have lived in other places and think I am fairly objective. I have lived about 25 years here and 25 years in other places. Your first question about are there people coming here because they have relatives here who were in prison here and are now staying?
I think that must be true. I have heard it and actually in my line of work, I am seeing more NYC people and more minorities which may or may not be related to your question. Has it impacted neighborhoods with locally owned homes? No, I don't think so and this has to do directly toward your other question about where to live and where not to live. Most people who have been in prison (just a guess here) probably do not have the disposable income to put a down payment on any sort of home and keep it. If you live in a high rental area (whether here or anywhere else) it has been my experience that you will more likely come in contact with people who have less stable lives............Financially, socially, emotionally, etc, etc, etc.

I personally wouldn't want to live too close to either downtown or the college rentals. There are other rentals that are not as desirable either, but you would recognize them and probably not want to live there. On the other hand there are lots of areas and neighborhoods (with some available rentals) that have great schools, recreation, community life, etc........I have named them before and will gladly do so again.

I think the worst thing about up here is the weather, but that is me. I am not a winter person. Second worse thing........hmmmmmm. My daughters and I would love more shopping, but there is Burlington and other places for that. Taxes are what they are and new governor Spitzer is sending us more rebates this year for property tax, but again, I see what my tax dollar buys compared to what my friends pay in other areas of the country, and I am not unhappy at all.

If you are concerned about crime at all, there must be a way to look that up online, right? I would bet that we have one of the lowest crime rates in NY, at least. There is a lot of good here and sometimes that gets taken for granted.....at least until you move to where there are REAL problems and real crime. I talked to one Mom who just moved back here from AZ and the main reason was because of the gangs and home invasions and drug use. She wanted her kids to have a good childhood. She said no matter how much she got paid out there, it wasn't worth it to have to worry all the time and deal with traffic, stress and crime. Those are my honest answers............any other questions, just ask away. The local paper is online also if you are interested........