Any NYers want to go North, Not South? (New York, Albany: low income, rental)

[NYer]

Originally Posted by homeward bound

...I do love Virginia. The Piedmont section particularly, in the state's center, is lovely. It has a lot of the great old homes you noted, from handsome farms to stunning plantation-style true old mansions. The latter are too much for me, but they are impressive (if you can put out of your mind the slave-sweat and share-cropper misery that went into creating that wealth). Beautiful pastureland, impressive forests, pretty good parks and wilderness areas, close-enough to D.C., Baltimore, even Philly and NYC, fairly close to the coast. ...
More in a bit...

Evocatively written... are you working on a novel?
You should be

[snowlandcook]

"You have run into a strange animal that I call the Yankee Redneck. A more obnoxious creature does not exist."

Hey--we're thinking about moving to Plattsburgh (for a job at the university), but I worry about having to live with "Yankee Rednecks" (earlier described as those who freely use the N word). I know there are some in every crowd, but in general, can anyone tell me if Plattsburgh is heavily or lightly populated with such creatures?

We would be moving from Minnesota--a very liberal area in MN--where folks of different races/ethnicities/colors live side by side in peace, and sometimes even harmony!

[Time2Moov]

Originally Posted by snowlandcook

"You have run into a strange animal that I call the Yankee Redneck. A more obnoxious creature does not exist."

Hey--we're thinking about moving to Plattsburgh (for a job at the university), but I worry about having to live with "Yankee Rednecks" (earlier described as those who freely use the N word). I know there are some in every crowd, but in general, can anyone tell me if Plattsburgh is heavily or lightly populated with such creatures?

We would be moving from Minnesota--a very liberal area in MN--where folks of different races/ethnicities/colors live side by side in peace, and sometimes even harmony!

I actually LOVE people who use the N word. Ever hear that joke about stupid people, and that they should wear a sign? It's the next best thing. The people that bother me are the ones who YOU KNOW are blind racists, yet never actually come out and say anything to prove it. There are millions of those people, some living right next door. They're not all right wing nut jobs with Bush/Cheney 04 stickers on their Dodge pickups either. You'd be surprised at how many "liberals" and "libertarians" have nice white sheets under those disheveled clothes they wear. Plenty of black leaders like Al and Louis who are so racist they make the Klan look like the ACLU. You saw Jesse down in N.O., but do you think he'd show up on Fire Island to save lives if a Tsunami hit? I bet Bush would be there within 24 hours though, and not DAYS later.

So the ones that actually come out and say it, god bless'em. Helps me tell them apart from decent people.

[NYLATINQT]

I have to throw in my 2 cents also. I grew up in Brooklyn and also lived in Long Island about 10 yrs. In 2004, because of the ridiculous cost of living in NY I decided to head South to Orlando, FL. I had always dreamed of living the "florida life." Let me tell you, it sucks!! Florida for a vacation is fine but living there is another story. So many uneducated rednecks, low paying jobs, heat & humidity to make you want to crawl under a rock, no culture. Oh I hated it. So....being the sensible person that I am, I did not want to give up so quickly and decided it's best to maybe try a "bigger" city. I went to Atlanta in Feb 2006. It sucks too. Not as bad as Florida though. There are jobs here and really nice homes for great prices. But buying a nice house will not buy you happiness. I want to make sure you understand that. I've met so many people in Florida and in Atlanta from NY/NJ and most are unhappy. I'd go back to NY in a heartbeat if I could. However, I have 1 child in high school and i promised him (and myself) to stay put until he graduates. But i am counting down the next 3 1/2 yrs and I am going back HOME to New York!! There is no other place like it. Forget about how great things "appear" to be in travel brochures, relocation guides, online articles. It's all a bunch of B.S. NEW YORK CITY IS THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH!!

[Tarrant]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

We've been kicking around a ton of places to move (from LI) to for about three years. I know 'all the jobs' are in the South and West and it's cheaper but I really want to go North (Northern NY or better still, NH).

I don't like the heat or humidity. I prefer it cold to hot. I cannot dream of a life in Florida like so many Long Islanders. I also think it would be a culture shock to move to the South.

I would LOVE to hear about the others who crave colder or northern areas as opposed to going South.

Grew up on Cape Cod and left in mid 80's. Would love to return but home prices are in millions. So, I moved to western mass. Ran into very negative depressed community near Athol/Orange so I moved to VT. Loved people and the weekend CT/NY er's were fun. When considering a move "north" stay away from a town that has "Rent To Own" stores on main street or a BIG Walmart parked on the fringes of town, signs of a depressed community.Check out the Chamber of Commerce but do not rely soley on their word as they are to"sell" the community. Look for "Mom and Pop" shops that are thriving such as hardware, book, home furnishins etc.Talk with merchants and town people to find out if "a waste dump is moving in next year" or "the big employer is closing the doors next Spring" etc. College towns will offer a stable economy such as Keene NH or Northhampton Mass. They will also offer raucus behavior so find out what side of town not to live in. So many great places to explore. Good luck!

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by lmarcos1

I am from NYC (lived in Brooklyn and Staten Island). In 1989 I thought the grass would be greener moving to the South. Boy was I wrong!! We moved to Phoenix Arizona and it was the worst place I ever lived in all my life. At first I liked it because it was clean and spacious. However after a few years I became sooo home sick and desperate to move back east. The heat there was unbearable. The expression "dry heat" is a myth. It is scorching hot and miserable and I now hate summers more than ever. I experienced enough heat to last a life time. I would also not recommend living in Florida. Although my dad lives there and loves it, I've visited several times and the humidity is oppressive (also being from the North you may miss the "4" seasons.)

I now live in Richmond VA - another BIG mistake. Although there is natural beauty here, the white southerners are the meanest and rudest people on earth (my personal experience). And since I have a strong NYC accent they totally avoid me. Also it is still too hot here and it doesn't snow as much as I would like it too. I am hoping to move to the Delaware/Philadelphia area as it is less expensive than NY and still close enough to visit NYC for the shopping and great food.

I strongly suggest you do not move down South. As mentioned on a previous message to you, a job can be found anywhere -and with some sort of experience it's even easier. I've done accounting several years and had no problems finding jobs in Phoenix or in VA.

Money is not everything. Hope you make the best decision for you and your family.

NYCGIRL

What a good post! Originally from LI, I like others had to leave when my Dad passed (taxes sky high on his house) We did the FL thing (no pay- S Florida= very rude people- and awful jobs unless your are 100% retired). We are half-back now-lol- My h. has his Mom in Virginia- but apart from a few polite neighbors- there is not a lot here (we are in NE Tennessee) - anyway we are looking at maybe Westchester- may have to put some time in here though- unfortunately. It is hard to believe that some people still refer to us as dam* Yankees-lol. I consider it a compliment. Also, people from NY don't wear shorts in 30 degree weather- (that's what I saw today-lol) Not a pleasant sight!.

sunny.

[I LOVE PA!]

I, like my parents, my only brother and his family, and many, many of my fellow neighbors have moved North from LI. We live in a 4 season recreational community in Northeast Pa, about a 3 - 3/12 hour drive from LI. It is called The Hideout, located in Lake Ariel, PA. If you do a web search, it has a website describing all the amenities. We have 3 lakes, 2 clean fresh water beaches, a gold course, ski-hill, clubouse, art center, Recreation center, playgrounds, mini-golf, 2 community pools, ballfields, and tennis courts to mention just some of the things that are here. It is a gated community, with it's own security force. It is about a 45 minute drive from the more popular but much less desireable Stroudsburg area. We are nestled in the woods, in a serene country area. The community is primarily vacation homes, but more and more families are calling it home, especially since 9/11. Locals very rarely move into The Hideout, it is comprised mostly of people from NY and NY. website is hideoutassocdotcom. 13 years ago I knew LI was not the place for me, after moving here, just about every expense (mortgage, car insurance, electric bill) I had on LI was cut in 1/2 and the quality of my life was greatly improved. You can still get a burger and fries in a diner here for $5.00, those days are long gone on LI. There is NO traffic, although the distance to shopping is longer. My husband is a truck driver, so it was easy to get another job. I never have a need to lock my door and I leave my keys in my car every night. I feel safe here, because I am safe her. Crime statistics prove it. Life is just too short to settle for the crazy conditions of LI. Come for a visit, and relocate!

[nopuppy]

I've got to say, I hate the heat and humidity of the south, and wouldn't live in Florida on a dare. Those people are nuts! I'm not a huge fan of the cold - especially with heating prices rising by the minute - but at least I can accomplish something in it. Up north is fine by me, and with climate change racing on, it'll be temperate someday soon.

Also, central NY is not as conservative as I'd feared. A good mix of folks up here of all political stripes, though it sure isn't racially diverse. The only things I really miss in my move here are good, local bookstores and a decent supply of jobs with good pay and benefits. Might have to move a little further north to one of the college towns, like Ithaca.

[Tioga]

We've had numerous "homesteaders" from downstate, and N.J. move up to the southern tier(Broome, Chenango, and Tioga counties) since 9/11. I see that some posters to this long-running thread from L.I./NYC had concerns about "upstaters/rednecks/attitudes towards outsiders". Fair enough concern...but remenber...bad attitudes go both ways. I've helped a few "pilgrims" who've settled in our rural area from downstate...lend them tools...plow their driveway..etc..They always act suspicious..like they're wondering what you want in return????...nothing...just being neighborly. What's so hard to understand about that?

[seamusgrace]

This thread is amusing - and true.
I am originally from Ireland but my US cradle was LI, NY. Gorgeous but congested and expensive even then, 20 years ago. I moved to Virginia near the DC area for a while as a nanny. Very pretty but something was missing, I couldn't put my finger on it then but now having lived in Charleston SC and Bradenton FL for many years I know it was the mental energy level which plummeted, south of New York. This part of Florida is beautiful on the gulf coast. Housing can still be very affordable compared to other beachy places such as Long Island. The winter (October - April) is idyllic but the summers here are killing me. They have slowed my metabolism to a crawl and sapped all of my physical energy and there's very little mental stimulation in the day to day life either. This will be my very last year here and the minute my house sells I'm on my way to Upstate New York to check out some of the places I've seen on the internet. What I believe that area (Upstate) has to offer is: 4 distinct seasons, good value for money especially if you like rural, good proximity to the best city in the world and lack of congestion in places like Little Falls and the foothills of the Adirondacks, which I am SO ready for. Like Weis02 has said, there have to be several factors that line up in your decision to make such a major move. There will always be trade offs but some things can't be compromised on like in my case climate, the environment I will be immersed in EVERY DAY and that includes culture, and the ability to afford the roof over my head without having to work day and night to pay for it - and hardly be home to enjoy it. To Gypsysoul I'd say: Go North Young Man or Woman!