"Why" do you live in upstate NY? (New York: real estate, low crime)

[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.....

[Sgoldie]

It's being near BIG water for me. It's also one of the cheapest places in the country. I couldn't afford to pay anywhere near those prices elsewhere and it seems a lot of places I use to like have now deteriorated or changed alot. I like the ease of living, the friendliness, the diverse day trip scenarios that are available from the mtns to the 1000 Islands to the Finger Lakes to the major Canadian cities, as well as the availability of being close to their unique point of view. I like the rolling hills and the lack of congestion, the forests and the desolate beaches. Like New England without the cost or hassle. Family is here too.

[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!

[I'minformed2]

Well I grew up in "developed" upstate NY; suburban Rochester to be exact. And I just really like the general mood and feel of upstate/western NY. Even in the big cities, it's very laid back. community oriented. Lots of familes that have been in the area for generations and have strong roots. Also, April through January I love the weather (that's the full range of seasons...you do kind of get sick of winter by february-march...but it's gets better from then....it's 60 degrees and sunny in Rochester today). Cost of living is low and, at least in some areas, I see the stressed economy really starting to turn around. Taxes are high but it's really not that big of a deal when you take into account total living expenses. And I don't care what people in Maine, the Northwest, Europe, or ANYWHERE else say.....Upstate New York has, by far, the nicest summers on the planet.

[Tarrant]

Grew up on Cape Cod and left due to no jobs and housing was going thru the roof. Lived in Winfield KS,Tucson Az, Monterey CA, rural Vermont and just now leaving Raliegh NC to move to Cambridge NY. Manchester Vt is nearby for the big shops as well as Bennington, Albany and others. I love a country road with farms and trees and the whole quaintness of that region. It is not the Bob Newhart Show but it is restful to the soul. I love the New England areas. If I had my choice I would live back on the Cape but alas my last name is not Kennedy$$. I love a small village that you can stop in a cafe/shop and everyone knows you. I hate Walmart, cell phones,strip malls, and soccer moms who tailgate. Upstate just has a feel of warmth and charm. Once people know you, you have friends for life. It's just easier. People can be more respectful of each other instead of that self entitled "me, me, go, go" personality that larger areas seem to breed. It is the small things in life are important. My last breathe before I die will not include "Gee, I should have driven faster"!

[cuse]

Originally Posted by i'minformed

Well I grew up in "developed" upstate NY; suburban Rochester to be exact. And I just really like the general mood and feel of upstate/western NY. Even in the big cities, it's very laid back. community oriented. Lots of familes that have been in the area for generations and have strong roots. Also, April through January I love the weather (that's the full range of seasons...you do kind of get sick of winter by february-march...but it's gets better from then....it's 60 degrees and sunny in Rochester today). Cost of living is low and, at least in some areas, I see the stressed economy really starting to turn around. Taxes are high but it's really not that big of a deal when you take into account total living expenses. And I don't care what people in Maine, the Northwest, Europe, or ANYWHERE else say.....Upstate New York has, by far, the nicest summers on the planet.

This is why I'm moving back from Fl. Speaking of families....here in Orlando I've lost all but one neighbor in two years. It seems everyone moves from house to house all the time. There are no established roots here what so ever. Back in Syracuse I still had the SAME neighbors as I did 36 years ago.

This should be a great post to read...

[chimborazo]

I came to Syracuse for family reasons, but I'm leaving soon for a job in California. I might have stayed, but I couldn't find a job in my field, and I've really gotten tired of the endless cloudy days. Unlike most people, I don't really mind the snow, except when the drive home in a blizzard takes 2 hours instead of 30 minutes. I'll miss being able to XC ski from my backyard. I'm sure I'll also miss the amazing friendliness of the people -- when my car went off an icy road last month, every couple minutes people driving by would ask if I needed help.

[Tioga]

If you live upstate, ever try to explain to someone from a distant state, what it's like where you live? When I was on active duty, the other guys thought the pics of my dad's farm were bogus. They couldn't envision a rural New York. Out came the map.."see, I live here...NYC is down there...aw..never mind." I'm sure I'm not the only one who's ran into this problem.
Why I continue to live here(Central NY-Tioga County)? Here's a few reasons: family in the area, inexpensive land/homes, relatively low crime, close(like out my back door) outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, etc..., 4 +/_ hours from NYC, Philly, the coast, the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes, Canada, and more, 4 seasons, good schools, friendly(not fake or uppity) neighbors, the sense of community(vs deveolpment sprawl). Is that enough or should I add more. Look...in my first post(see.."my 2 cents worth"), I made the following statement, "move to anywhere in the U.S...stay there a while, and you can come up w/some negatives about it."
Would hold true for ANYWHERE in the U.S.. And yes, I've been around the states myself, but here's where I want to live.

[I'minformed2]

Try explaining that you are from a relatively large CITY in Upstate NY to someone from the NYC area! We lived in "the country" to them. They know about Buffalo...kind of, but as far as they know, Rochester and Syracuse are small dary farming communites (they have Albany by the balls, so they know that one...haha, I know I know...tongue and cheek)

[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.