"Why" do you live in upstate NY? (New York: attorney, school)

[AlphaCityGirl]

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!

We almost made the move to upstate when our daughter was young, but hubby couldn't get the job transfer he tried for. I was born in Manhattan, hubby is from the Bronx. My dad's family was from the Saratoga and Albany areas. Then 22 years ago we moved to Florida. Now I'm glad we didn't make the upstate move when I think of those snowy winters. By the way, I understand the property taxes upstate have skyrocketed over the last ten years or so. Used to be you could pick up a piece of land pretty cheap and the taxes were really low, even after you put a home on it.

[AlphaCityGirl]

Originally Posted by Soon2BNYer

Why do we live in upstate New York? Honestly, it is because that's where the Army told us we need to be. At first I was very hesitant. I am a Southern girl and I have never experienced a "real winter" in all my 36 years. But so far, I like it up here. I will have to see how I feel in April (LOL!) but I am glad that we agreed to move to the Fort Drum area.

Oh, boy! That's really a change in climate. We have some family friends up in Watertown.

[12buttons]

Originally Posted by Glen NY

There is something about New York that you just can't find anywhere else. I know so many people who have moved from the densely populated downstate area to other states, and just want to come back. Upstate offers the escape from the traffic, crowds, and all the other things that people look to escape, meanwhile they are still in New York. Things are so different upstate but in many ways so much the same. The food for one is still great up here in Syarcuse. We find great restaurauts one after the other.

Down state people go "upstate" on vacation. They go to the Catskills or the Adirondacks, which are both beautiful, but very rural areas. Many think that all of upstate is the mountains. I live in a beautiful populated area just outside of Syracuse, but it's not the sticks or the Mountains. Those downstaters who have explored these areas agree, this is great living. Every thing is so easy, whether it's seeing a show, shopping or attending events, they all go smooth and the people are so nice.

After living in Nassau county most of my life and working in NYC for 25 years, I feel like I'm living a dream, I just hope I don't have to wake up.

It has its charm but when you said "still in NY" you nailed it -that's the PROBLEM...taxes taxes taxes...they are a kick in the teeth and no amount of charm can change that. I swear the people that say they love upstate NY are young and renters.

[averagenyjoe]

Originally Posted by 12buttons

It has its charm but when you said "still in NY" you nailed it -that's the PROBLEM...taxes taxes taxes...they are a kick in the teeth and no amount of charm can change that. I swear the people that say they love upstate NY are young and renters.

I believe there alot of homeowners that love NY. I am a renter that moved back to NY by choice with almost NO hope of owning a home up here. I am not young either. Its discouraging to be sure but I belive Most of the people that LOVE NY are ones that have spent a significant amount of time in another state. Its then that you realize what you had. I would agree there are way too many people who have never lived elsewhere that are plain miserable.

I say it would be a good idea for all the complainers to move out of NY. I will wager that a majority WILLl return someday and find the place of their dreams.

[Dr Funky]

Originally Posted by honeychrome

It seems like the threads about moving to, living in, and the issues facing mostly-rural upstate NY are some of the more active on this forum, and beyond the 'I like this area/I like that area' discussions, real estate, long-time locals vs. newcomers and wind development are the most contentious points. I don't want to start another thread on any of those points (we've already got 'em going strong)- I'm interested in a thread discussion about the 'why' of upstate NY living. What are people's personal reasons for moving to upstate? Staying in upstate? Leaving upstate? Of course, "upstate" NY is pretty vast, so no doubt there will be a broad range of reasons for choosing to live there.....

There's more in Upstate New York than just rolling hills filled with cow pastures and corn fields...

[gayleinAZ]

We've heard a lot about taxes but can someone give an example. Food tax, property tax? My taxes on property are rather low here in AZ - but our energy costs are prohibative.. 4 or 5 months of summer with the A/C running 24/7 can cost $2000+ depending on the home. Water is gettign scarse as well.. it will go uip too. Would like NY examples. THX

[oktaren]

Western New York, near lake erie is wonderful. I'm moving back to the area asap. I just love the atmosphere, its beautiful and the people here are great. The taxes are high, but the land values are so cheap, that it makes up for it. It is still cheap to live here, even with the high taxes.

The taxes hurt the small business owners more than anyone else.

[12buttons]

The suburbs in WNY are pricey- AMherst, etc..add in taxes and your'e talking CT type pricing - I've lived in both areas recently sold my home so I know the drill...WNY is NO bargain.... my taxes were 11,000 a year...

what's so pretty? it's flat as a board and grey most of the time--aging industrial rustbelt -you thinkthat's pretty? yikes...niagara on the lake is pretty..north tonawanda? don'think so.....

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by 12buttons

The suburbs in WNY are pricey- AMherst, etc..add in taxes and your'e talking CT type pricing - I've lived in both areas recently sold my home so I know the drill...WNY is NO bargain.... my taxes were 11,000 a year...

what's so pretty? it's flat as a board and grey most of the time--aging industrial rustbelt -you thinkthat's pretty? yikes...niagara on the lake is pretty..north tonawanda? don'think so.....

Check out the rest of Western New York, the buffalo area is just a small part of it. And compared to other areas, yes, its very cheap. Taxes are a bit high, but the homes aren't valued as high, so it works itself out for the most part. It is expensive to operate a business though.

[squiggles]

cause all my relatives live downstate

p.s. anybody going to the adirondack balloon festival this weekend?