"Why" do you live in upstate NY? (New York: house, theater)

[mbsimmons23]

Hi, we are hoping to relocate to the Saratoga Springs area, pending a job transfer, from Long Island. We have looked in Glens Falls, Ballston Spa, Galway, Schuylerville etc. Can you give me some pros/cons for each and maybe a recommendation? We don't necessarily wants to live on a farm but also don't want neighbors within an arm's length. Thanks so much!

[aggies07]

Although I currently live and go to school in texas and like it alot, I want to come live in Rochester after I graduate (where I grew up) regardless of lower pay. There is nothing like home!

[Town&Country]

I haven't read every post on this thread so I may be repeating what others have said... I was born and raised in upstate/western NY and currently reside in Central Florida. Ten years ago I bought the house and property I have now... it was acres and acres of dairy cows, farms, etc. Now, in ten short years, All of the cows and pasture are gone and have been replaced with huge shopping centres, restaurants, banks, etc. The traffic is incredible here now, widening roads to 4-6 lanes, more lights... very very congested. Yes, this is good for me as my property (1/2 acre, rather large for this area) has skyrocketed in value and will probably go commercial next year sometime and enable me to move back to WNY and purchase a home outright and live relatively debt free. However, it boggles my mind how quickly all land is being snapped up here and businesses built. In my opinion, Florida is losing its ambience as Florida, the tropical paradise, the fair weather playground. I am rather excited at the thought of moving back home, it is so completely different. I like the fact that many small towns have bandstands with evening concerts, parades (not the big commercial extravaganza's like down here), butcher shops (there is really only one here that is decent, and wouldn't you know it, the owners are from NY), bakeries other than at the supermarket, small mom & pop stores where you are greeted by name... I could go on and on... I'm not trashing Florida, its been good to me, ... its just a Complete different lifestyle than what life is back home... some may think that WNY pales compared to the Florida lifestyle... its just a matter of opinion and taste and thats what makes all of us unique... I prefer contour to the land, here, you can see a thunderstorm coming from 40 miles away... I also miss dirt, real dirt, not sand... there are some really beautiful things here too... sandhill cranes, bald eagles, alligators, beautiful hidden beaches, lizards EVERYWHERE, great zoo's and aquariums... I have to say that I am sick and fed up with the hurricane season, tropical storm Barry just rolled through here, a 'baby' storm by any measure down here and its only the 2nd or 3rd day of hurricane season... it did bring some much needed rain though, to help put out some of the forest fires that run rampant this time of year... I went through Charley, Frederick?(don't think thats right but it began with an F I believe), and Jeanne a couple of years ago... Jeanne is the one that put all of the large oaks in the back on the house... there was no power for 6 days from the latter two... I don't want to worry about this season anymore... I'd like to keep the family heirlooms and other sensitive things intact and not destroyed forever... well, it finally rained yesterday after no rain for 2 months so I'm going to fire up the grill and make garlic shrimp skewers and a filet... and be lazy today... I hope everyone else is enjoying whatever it is that they are doing right now.

[NewYorkBound]

Hello: Maybe you could help me out with some information. I'm considering a relocation to upstate New York near the Canadian Border. First, how far are you from Toronto, or, what Canadian city are you closest to. I'm looking to relocate from the desert in the Southwest. The heat is just too much for me. I will need to find an affordable rent and be in close proximity (45 minutes) to a city where I can find work. Any suggestions.

[NewYorkBound]

It would be very helpful if you could assist me with information about upstate New York. I'm considering relocation to upstate New York but would like to be commutible to Toronto. I would like to find a town that has a spirit to it but isn't over-populated. And...where I can find work, perhaps near a college with great resources. It's also important to me that rentals are affordable. Any suggestions. Thank you.

[homeward bound]

NewYorkBound,

Since the Canada/NY State border is vast, stretching from Buffalo's proximity to Ft. Erio, Ontario, to Plattsburgh's proximity to the Quebec border and Montreal, you do need to specify where you'd like to move to.

You could do so by enrivonment: e.g., city, suburban, on a Great Lake (Erie or Ontario) or major river (Niagara or St. Lawrence), village, countryside, farmland, wilderness, etc. That's one of the many things about Upstate NY: you've got an incredible variety of choices. Whatever your tastes/preferences, you can find someplace along or near the NY/Canada border to suit you.

You could do so by how literally near the border you want to be. And you don't have to be all that near it to be in cool (as in temperature) environment. Just about anywhere along Lake Ontario has very comfortable summers, rarely getting hot or humid for very long, with a great breeze and relatively low humidity. The same along the St. Lawrence. And the Adirondacks, especially as you go north, are famously cool and comfortable in the summer, with relatively rare and brief hot-spells. Of course, the cooler the summers generally the colder and longer the winters, but if you're escaping desert heat, you may love colder and longer winters, too.

You could do so by what you like to do: fish, not-fish; hunt, not-hunt; hike, not-hike; escape modern life, enjoy modern life's comforts, etc. Again, you could have any preference met by somewhere along the vast NY/Canada border. It can seem like unexplored wilderness or Holiday Inn everywhere, or something in between, depending on what you're seeking.

You also need to specify what kind of job you're looking for. It's true that some areas of Upstate are struggling for jobs. Others, though, are doing okay. And jobs can found if you choose the right place for you.

Wishing you early luck on your search!

[homeward bound]

NewYorkBound,

In answer to your second post, about what Upstate NY city is closest to Toronto--two are: Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

As often noted on the forum (a simple Search--see Menu above--will give you alot of entries), they've got great, good, not-so-good, and bad qualities right now. BUT they also have a lot of towns and suburbs around them. Unless you're set on city life, if your main goal is to be close to Toronto, you could choose instead Kenmore, Williamsville, Amherst, the Tonawandas, Lockport, etc. Some of the very nice smaller towns nearer Lake Ontario, which wouldn't too much lengthen your (already long) drive to Toronto, include Newfane, Wilson, etc. There are some very lovely old farmhouses in this area that are very fairly priced, too.

However, in terms of making a commute to Toronto, any of these would be quite a hike. For example, it's about 100 miles from Buffalo to Toronto, according to Mapquest--but this doesn't account for the slow, sometimes near-inert traffic at the US/Canada border, esp. during summers and holiday times; the rush hours of St. Catharines and Hamilton, ON, that you'll run into; the frequent construction/repair work on the Canadian side in and around Hamilton; and Toronto's own famously busy rush hours and construction snags.

I'm sorry to be so negative here. I think Toronto is a fantastic city, and I have a deep affection for my old hometown of Buffalo. But unless you've got profound patience, about four hours (or more) a day to commit to commuting, and deep pockets for a lot of gas money, commuting from Buffalo to Toronto may not be realistic.

[cjp05]

I am so confused now! I always thought that people that live in the upstate/western NY area wanted out? I know I do, but at teh same time it seems like people that leave don't like where they go. Now I have no clue what to do. I wanted to move south(NC, SC, or even possibly NOLA), but now the way everyone is talking I feel like I should stay here in little ol' Batavia.

I do like some things about living here like the scenery and the fact that in this city for the most part we still know a lot of people. My family has lived here forever. This may sound weird b/c I am only 20 and all, but I do happen to like knowing my neighbors and other people in the city. I just hate the winters, high taxes, snow(oops kinda already mentioned that but its a big dea lol), and the fact that it seems like people with dsiabilities aren't treated very well here(I am legally blind and wouldn't be able to get a teaching job in my own city b/c of my vision and wasn't treated good at all in school and would never want my kids to go to school around here anywhere if I ever have kids).

Point being is there are good things and bad things about living here, but it's like that I also know everywhere in the world.

[rogeriofocco]

Originally Posted by Phish Head

Is this a joke or did Borat actually join this forum? U S and A! U S and A!

Hi Phish Head,
I’m thanking your correction.
It’s very important for me, I need person with you.

U S (capitalized) is an alternative of the abbreviation U.S. which generally refers to the United States of America.
I think it.

thanks

[rogeriofocco]

Originally Posted by Lauri_25ny

I'm a country girl, through and through.

Background........
My Mom was Bronx, born and raised. I was born on Long Island (Oceanside). My Mom didn't want her kids to be "urban kids". She wanted us to grow up in the country, lots of room to run, no threat of violence, etc. In 1972 when I was 5 and my brother was 7, she picked up and moved us here to Tioga County.

I stayed because I love the fact that I can walk down the street and know every single person that goes by. The village that I live in has a whopping population of about 860. The parade on the 4th of July almost has a family reunion feel to it. You just know the people and you're comfortable with them. I don't lock my doors at night and half the time I leave my keys in my car. I go to sleep with the sound of the creek running beyond my backyard. And I live right on the main road.

I couldn't imagine living in a city. All those lights, noise and stuff. My town doesn't even have a traffic light. Not even a flashing one!

Hi Lauri,
I’m happy your reply.
You have a peace life; your mother picked a nice place for you. How is she? And your brother, do they live in Tioga too?
Do you have a creek in your backyard? It’s a marvelous!
I did seek your town in the Google earth, but I can’t see, because the picture was distorted. What Tioga like… if you can to send some picture of the town, I’d like knowing itself.
THANKS.