Geneva's problems/merits? (New York, Buffalo, Rochester: crime, how much, houses)

[homeward bound]

A recent posting saying that Geneva was "dying," had crime problems, etc., still worries me a bit. We've seen a lot of great houses there at decent prices, and have heard from just about everybody else on this list and in "real life" that it's a great little city. Can others chime in about its merits and flaws? Wouldn't living there give us good job-options around Rochester and even Syracuse since my wife and I are both teachers, yet a good big-small-town life? Is it really decaying and having a worsening crime problem? Some have said Canandaigua is better--if so, why? We're planning our look-see trip and need to know how much time to budget to each place (can keep our 2 year old in his car seat only so long). Thanks!

[Weloveantiques]

I think that would be a pretty good commute, even on the New York State Thruway. Alot of the upstate cities are declining, loss of population and some of the people moving in are less than desirable as neighbors. I would look for a town to live and work in. Maybe Auburn, Ithaca, Geneva, etc.
I think as far as crime goes, these are small time criminals that couldn't cut it in the Bronx or Brooklyn and are moving upstate, but then again a drug dealer is a drug dealer no matter where he is.

[millk]

My first experience with Geneva, NY was when I took the Greyhound bus from New York City to Buffalo, NY, and I passed through Geneva for the first time, I had such a feeling that Geneva is the place where I want to live - just a gut feeling. I stayed in Geneva for the very first time in April, 2006, and LOVED it. What I love about Geneva is that it has just enough whereas New York City has TOO MUCH - I've always had that small town person inside me even though I grew up in the big city. There were people who were friendly and said hello but there were others who were shy. While I stayed in Geneva, I was never bothered, molested, hassled, mistreated. I will return to Geneva for one week in September, 2007, and I hope that when I retire, I will make Geneva, NY my home. There is no place on this planet which is perfect, but I feel for me, at least, that Geneva is as close to perfection as I hope to get. What is hard for me is to go to Geneva, and then, have to leave - I look forward and long for the day when I get to stay.