What's it like living in Plattsburgh? Oswego County? (New York, Syracuse: new home, movie theater)

[JulieEileen]

Time to decide where to move, gotta get out of the Florida heat and coming back to our home state.

We have children, so our biggest concern is:
Meeting other Homeschoolers,
Lots of activities and sports for our kids,
Some great churches that we can choose from,

If you live in Plattsburgh, what do you like about it?

What about Oswego County? I need to be near the hills or mountains and not so much the water, and I know Oswego Cty is all about the lake, but we found some very nice and affordable homes in the area, with acreage, that are appealing.

I'd love to hear what you think about your hometown!
Please share!

[nunoco]

I like that Plattsburgh is a very tolerant community for its size, and is rejecting the hateful protests led by a Kansas preacher:
The Press Republican - Plattsburgh High School prepares for Phelps

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by nunoco

I like that Plattsburgh is a very tolerant community for its size, and is rejecting the hateful protests led by a Kansas preacher:
The Press Republican - Plattsburgh High School prepares for Phelps

All I have to say is, Wow.

[Jeromeville]

Originally Posted by JulieEileen

What about Oswego County? I need to be near the hills or mountains and not so much the water, and I know Oswego Cty is all about the lake, but we found some very nice and affordable homes in the area, with acreage, that are appealing.

I'm not posting this to scare you away from Oswego County, but (just in case you don't already know) it's the snow capital of Upstate. The heaviest lake effect snow from Lake Ontario falls on Oswego County. It isn't always snowy there, of course. But when lake effect events happen, Oswego County tends to get the brunt of it.

Oswego County is mostly flat. It is partly in the (wooded and very rural) Tug Hill Plateau, which slopes upward, but is not a hill or mountain range. However, you would be in easy driving range of the Adirondacks and other hilly outdoor recreation areas to the south (Syracuse way).

I've never been to Plattsburgh... but I'd venture to guess that Oswego County is more conservative politically (Plattsburgh seems influenced by the Burlington VT area).

[plattsburgher]

It's a small enough place that you can actually know who your neighbors are and know that they will help you if and when you need help..........ice storm, elderly people, missionary trips to Nicaraugua, Jamaica, the occasional nor'easter.......It's great to know you aren't alone in this world......people come over and actually snowblow your driveway just because......get ready for this......it's a nice thing to do!!!!!!! So refreshing in this day and age....

Pburgh is also big enough that if you want to have more space, you can get a house somewhere for a reasonable price, you do have taxes, but I have lived in both north and south and I feel as though I actually have decent (the BEST!!!) schools without paying the 5000 per year tuition that my southern friends have to.......and I meet quality parents and teachers. My children could not have gotten any better education anywhere in the country for any amount of money than here......plus I get a great quality of life, all sorts of sports programs through both the schools and city and other organizations. My children have no worries about walking home if I cannot get to school on time to pick them up. I don't have to 'freak out' about it like my southern counterparts do about their kids...........

There is so much natural beauty everywhere.........summers are gorgeous with Lake Champlain, you can go fishing, hiking, camping, biking, walking trails, etc with your kids........falls are so great........all the colors and you can get to Lake Placid or Burlington, Vt or Montreal, Ca within about an hour and Saratoga for the kids to see the historic hot springs and horses....it's a family friendly atmosphere in August.......

We now have a couple of discount airlines that go directly to Florida locations and Myrtle Beach and have no parking fees..........nice........

You can get involved in as many activities with your children as you like and you will make friends. There used to be an airbase here and people here are used to making new friends........Lots of people come here now for the hospital jobs, college jobs, border jobs.........It isn't such a closed community that we don't welcome newcomers..........we do. And we have a number of churches of varying denominations..........Lots of pluses.....good family place.......glad that my kids were raised here and not in some McMansion type place in the south where everyone is afraid to go out past 7 PM.......or the traffic is so bad that it takes 30 minutes to go 5 miles.........Not the way I wanted to live.........!

[imastudent]

Hello, I happened to stumble upon this post and just figured I could offer a different perspective regarding Plattsburgh.

I am a college student at Plattsburgh State and while I grew up in New York City I have family and friends upstate. Plattsburgh is a quaint little community and the natural beauty is at times, simply breathtaking. In the summertime there are festivals and many outdoor sports and activities that everyone can enjoy.

However aside from the country pleasures, Plattsburgh doesn't have much more to offer. Students consider a trip to Burlington a refreshing glimpse of a decent downtown, youthful scene.
For most of the year, Plattsburgh seems to have an extended winter where 50 degree weather seems like a blessing. Expect your winters to last until mid April.

As for the local population- I have been very lucky that my neighbors are polite and sweet. As long as the students are respectful there are no problems with the community. That being said, as an outsider, the residents of Plattsburgh seem to be in a time period of their own- perhaps a few decades behind. I simply cannot agree with the previous comments regarding the quality of education here. There are very logical reasons why certain areas and certain schools require higher costs of living.
Job opportunities here are seriously lacking. Being a business student, I've attended the job fairs, career forums, etc and have experienced first hand that it is limited.

In general Plattsburgh is a nice rustic place. It can be charming but IMO the pros don't measure up. There are many "small towns" south of Plattsburgh that have more to offer. Just a more well rounded environment to grow up in.
This post wasn't meant to offend or bash Plattsburgh, I feel that it just isn't a memorable place with Burlington and Montreal around, Plattsburgh seems like a rest stop. It is simply my opinion, although I'm confident it is shared by a great many (both outside and from Plattsburgh).

I wish you the best of luck as you search for your new home

[plattsburgher]

Yes, indeed...........If I were a Pburgh State student, or even a young person in their early twenties, I would not like Pburgh at ALL!!!! It is a college 'town' and for someone looking for dance clubs, entertainment trends or pop culture, nothing here........Many of the college kids have their own house parties, or walk downtown to drink beer, party, but other than movie theatres and regional concerts, there really isn't a "scene" to hang out in.....a few restaurants, bars are around for mid to late twenties and there is a young professional organization that just formed, but it sounded like the poster was looking for some good places to raise kids, find a community, belong and enjoy family/neighbors/activities... Think this is a great spot for that. If you are single and looking to find a plethora of other younger singles.............not a good spot for that here. Burlington has many more younger nightspots and singles clubs....Think it's the perfect place for young families, though............

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by plattsburgher

Yes, indeed...........If I were a Pburgh State student, or even a young person in their early twenties, I would not like Pburgh at ALL!!!! It is a college 'town' and for someone looking for dance clubs, entertainment trends or pop culture, nothing here........Many of the college kids have their own house parties, or walk downtown to drink beer, party, but other than movie theatres and regional concerts, there really isn't a "scene" to hang out in.....a few restaurants, bars are around for mid to late twenties and there is a young professional organization that just formed, but it sounded like the poster was looking for some good places to raise kids, find a community, belong and enjoy family/neighbors/activities... Think this is a great spot for that. If you are single and looking to find a plethora of other younger singles.............not a good spot for that here. Burlington has many more younger nightspots and singles clubs....Think it's the perfect place for young families, though............

You can always go to Montreal for a serious scene as well and it's only an hour away.

[theeclipsedheart]

Originally Posted by plattsburgher

Yes, indeed...........If I were a Pburgh State student, or even a young person in their early twenties, I would not like Pburgh at ALL!!!! It is a college 'town' and for someone looking for dance clubs, entertainment trends or pop culture, nothing here........Many of the college kids have their own house parties, or walk downtown to drink beer, party, but other than movie theatres and regional concerts, there really isn't a "scene" to hang out in.....a few restaurants, bars are around for mid to late twenties and there is a young professional organization that just formed, but it sounded like the poster was looking for some good places to raise kids, find a community, belong and enjoy family/neighbors/activities... Think this is a great spot for that. If you are single and looking to find a plethora of other younger singles.............not a good spot for that here. Burlington has many more younger nightspots and singles clubs....Think it's the perfect place for young families, though............

LOL I'm in my early 20's and plattsburgh sounds like heaven! I want to get away from that "club life" and stupid pop culture trends... My fiancee and I refer to ourselves as the "old couple" out of all of our friends because we prefer to either stay at home and play board games or go out for a "quiet evening" (like go to a wine bar) We decided plattsburgh is perfect because it has a target, gamestop & movie theater. LOL thats all we need!!!!! Plus we want to start settling down soon anyways. LOL

[aibaker]

hey everyone! i know this post is kind of old but I am considering moving to Plattsburgh for a job. I am in my early 20's and I've read here that it is kind of a boring town. Has anything changed these past couple of years? Do you think it's a good/safe place for a young girl to live?