"Why" do you live in upstate NY? (Rochester: renting, job market)

[daytripper]

I love upstate N.Y. That being said the taxes are terribly high for anyone wishing to retire and the winters are a bit hard on the "no longer young".
For the still young...job opportunities aren't that great. I wish I could figure out a way to "live " there................

[gold dust]

Originally Posted by Phoenix lady

I left because my husband had the "Florida dream," that turned into a nightmare. We chose a rural area in Central Florida, 20 miles from Vero Beach, and it was a culture shock of immense proportions. 4 years and I said "I'm so oughta here." We're in Phoenix (West Valley) now, but considering another change after 11 years. I wonder if all we've really done is move in a giant circle-- NY,Fla, Az and back to NY. I like the people in NY, the weather in Phoenix (winters) and the taxes in Florida. If I could combine all of these into one place...

Bless you, Phoenix lady! How did you survive 4 years in a place you really didn't like? I've been in TX for 4 months and I am about to go crazy!

My husband had the "Texas dream" that is turning into a nightmare. It gets worse every day, I think. Even found a dead black cat under my car the other day. If that isn't a sign to get out of TX, then I don't know what is.

[bizmom]

I have to agree with u Glen NY -
I currently live not far from Watkins Glen NY -- being born and raised on Long Island leaving when i was 18 coming up here with a friend i fell in love with it all!! -the quiet the scenery the leaves in the fall the water that yes u can see and get on the Island but.. u have to fight to enjoy it between the loud radios and horrible people! - i have loved the people here ever since the first day -* its such a novel idea actually looking someone in the EYES as u speak to them-* and saying hello with a wave that still makes me smile!!
- granted it was culture shock at first coming from the night life at that age.. to absoultely none here but.. i grew up enjoyed the peace Upstate offers - My husband and I currently own our home!! something that would NEVER have happened had we been on the Island ( where he is from as well- I imported him a few years ago! lol) and to quote him * Long Island is becoming one Playland for the RICH and Famous only* ...which doesnt leave much room for the actual working man/woman sadly

WE both are from the Brookhaven township area both having moved around alot Holbrook, Centereach,Farmingville areas
We visit the island as much as possible but i can not WAIT to come home!! the traffic is such a drain i get a headache each time and the people on the whole.. OMG!! so rude and arrogant - i NEVER encounter that here!! --- and all just going about life as drones in some ways ( not stating ALL Isanders are!!)
maybe its just where some of our family still is there .. a but of an upscale area - all too concerned about working out, staying thin and dressing like god knows what when they do go out!! - i think the 80s are over all the GOLD jewlery and gold lame' can go!! lol lol
and all for what!? to keep up the *keeping up with the Jones* status??

wow!! too much work for me! lol
ill keep my quiet neighborhoods, my smallish beautiful house with almost 2 acres of land, my well mannered ( altho typical teenagers lol )kids .. ill enjoy the wintery foothills and mountains in the area as well as the pretty colors each fall! Ill take a quiet walk with hubby on any given night here over the possiblity of a mugging on the Island - ill take a sticky day here where i can take a drive not too far to jump in a lake and not have to fight off anyone to do it! lol lol

Believe me im saddened that things are the way they are *home* but the old saying is true *Home is where the heart is* and its HERE whole heartedly!!

Dont get me wrong I LOVE Long Island its just not the same Island i grew up on or knew - all my friends who are still there - GOD bless YOU!! U know u always have a place to run to if the S%^& hits the fan!! XXX

* my two cents *
XX

[BuffaloTransplant]

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.....

I grew up on LI; I came for school 40 years ago. I married a local, but staying here wasn't an immediate priority -- we looked at many places and decided to start jobs here........... it became a great place to raise our family ( on 4 acres on the edge of rural land outside of Buffalo backed up to a cornfield ) and it is still where we live. No mortgage, low cost of living ( $5K / year in utilities and taxes; the house is paid.... there is something to be said for living in the same small home.... you don't worry about the taxes skyrocketing and the acreage is considered farmland an really low taxes). We are less than 2 hours from Toronto; we can ( if pressed) make NYC driving the Thruway in 8 hours. We love the seasons and snow is wiped out almost as soon as it falls. We also do not need to worry (in our town) about the major problems of crowded roads, urban blight, earthquakes / tornadoes / hurricanes ( etc) or lack of water!

BTW, we both taught school. Know what? Grade 8 field trips often went to Darien Lake Amusement park.... it is another 15 minutes or so beyond our house. The city kids often had never seen a cornfield or a cow and didn't believe they were still in NY state, let alone just over the county line! A good portion of adult NYers have no idea agriculture is a main industry in the state.

[koren09]

im moving upstate next week from california........my reason.....fort drum.............my husband just got stationed there......im not used to country living AT ALL! boy, im in for an experience, am i? lol.....very, very, different from what im used to.....im a city girl, but im sure i can adjust....hopefully.........

[renee_eastman_18]

Well upstate personally to me isn't worth being here at all. I am finally fortunate enough to be moving to Mandeville, Louisiana, to a nice new home, where things aren't so expensive and people aren't as rude. Upstate is nothing to be proud of, yeah it has its schools and some great places to have fun, a few good casinos and some exciting hotels to stay in but beyond that, it's really expensive, people are not the greatest and neither is the customer service. So if you want to move here, best of luck, but I think you would be better off not in the state of NY. It's like the most expensive state other than California.

[Griffis]

Originally Posted by gold dust

I wish I still lived in upstate NY. It's the best place in the world, IMHO. It's home to me.

Oh my. I see you live near Houston now. I am sorry.

I'm from Texas (though I spent many years also trying to escape Oklahoma) and I hope this isn't offensive, but of all the many places in the US I've traveled to or lived in, Houston is one of the worst. Not all of Texas is bad, but sheesh...I really don't like Houston.

I'm in SW Virginia now, which is far prettier than Oklahoma, and with a lot more going on, but I'm on the cusp (I believe) of landing a job in Catskill, NY, right on the Hudson River. I have my fingers crossed. I know they want to hire me, but I'm not sure what the salary offer will be.

The main thing I'm scared of is the taxes. I want to buy a home (I'm a lifelong renter and will be 40 this year.) My wife wants a home of her own and she deserves one. I think we can find a house somewhere in Greene County for a good price, but I'm really worried about property taxes.

Anyway, I just was up in Catskill and around that area over Memorial Day weekend. Gorgeous. Friendly people, beautiful scenery, lots of charm. I really hope it works out for us to move up that way.

[ktroy]

Griffis,
You do not like SW VA? I just moved here from upstate NY (Chenango County) and I love it here! It looks so very similar yet there are subtle differences here in the trees and shrubs. What part of VA are you from.. I am near Hillsville in Carrol County. I think its truly wonderful here.. there is just so much to see!

[Griffis]

Originally Posted by ktroy

Griffis,
You do not like SW VA? I just moved here from upstate NY (Chenango County) and I love it here! It looks so very similar yet there are subtle differences here in the trees and shrubs. What part of VA are you from.. I am near Hillsville in Carrol County. I think its truly wonderful here.. there is just so much to see!

No, I do like SW VA well enough. I'm in Roanoke. I just have a certain level of job dissatisfaction that necessitated my looking for another position. As it turns out, it seems as though that position will likely land me in upstate NY. And I'm looking forward to it.

I've lived all over the US and traveled widely. But it is time for me to stop and settle down with my family. It is my hope that NY will be the stopping point, at least for many years. If I'm fortunate enough for this to work out, the job will be great for my career and in a smaller town which I like.

[Phoenix lady]

Originally Posted by daytripper

I love upstate N.Y. That being said the taxes are terribly high for anyone wishing to retire and the winters are a bit hard on the "no longer young".
For the still young...job opportunities aren't that great. I wish I could figure out a way to "live " there................

Me too. Between the taxes and the price of oil--not easy. I wish I could move back and escape for the winters. The scenery and beauty is so much better than other places I've lived. When I went back for a visit, I couldn't believe I ever lived in such a beautiful area. Out here we have to be content with the cactus and saguaro's.