Relocating from CA to NY

[cherianne]

Spiralsands, we are retired as well. You are right when you talk about low taxes...you get what you pay for. It isn't worth it if you don't like the area. What's the use? This is the reason we are making another trip to Western New York with the hope of finding a country place with a couple of acres. Are you planning to farm on your new home or just breathe in the space? Wisteria- have you tried Trinidad, Co? It was a beautiful little town/city in the south east part of the state. The view of the mountains is gorgeous. They have a lot of community functions and a darling downtown. Looking4home, I can't go back to where I grew up since it's outrageously expensive plus talk about 'fake boob culture'! I don't own one single Kincade picture. I understand the sentiment well as we were looking for nirvana when we came to Missouri (please don't laugh). So we are over it, now. Just want a nice place with paved roads near our relatives across the border.

[Wisteria]

Cherianne, Oh, that was funny ("we were looking for nirvana when we came to Missouri [please don't laugh]!" I'm so sorry.

Being from New York state, originally, I crossed off the entire south (sorry Southerners) because of some bad experiences down there being a "Yankee!" Really awful, and I will never live in the south. I know more "Yankees" are moving there, and I have a friend in Ashville, NC, who is from NYS, but she still says there are lots of stereotypes and racism, even though it is a more "liberal" area of the south.

NYS, yeah, too high in taxes for me, and I got used to not having snow and having lots of sunshine, plus I love the "rocky" looking mountains. If you can afford the taxes, you'll surely find lots of places with lots of land in WNY! Look at Wyoming County and Cattaraugus County and especially Chautauqua County with Cassadaga Lake and the Chautauqua Center. Beautiful area.

Already knowing what my fixed income will be, I know I don't want to use it to pay those high taxes, and to deal with the weather and all. For me, fortunately, I like a lot of the areas with low taxes -- the more mountainous deserty areas of Colorado/Arizona/Utah/New Mexico/etc. I have not been to Trinidad, though, so I will have to check it out. Thanks!

But WNY is a beautiful part of the country, and I'm sure you'll find something you like there!

[cherianne]

We have also written off the whole south and lower midwest. My daughter who is in the Navy lived in Norfolk, VA for 10 years. I really loved it there. The history was everywhere. I loved the old neighborhoods with ancient magnolia trees and water was all around. This sounds like a contridiction but Va, despite being in the south will always hold an interest. My husband wasn't too keen on it, though. A year ago, we visited family in Niagara Falls and drove around WNY. We came upon a perfect little town, Gowanda. I think that is in Cattaraugus County. Small, cute with just enough Yuppie, but not enough to be plastic. Do check out Trinidad. The view was great.

[sunfluer]

Originally Posted by beljag

My family and I are planning to move from California to New York towards the end of the year. The cost of living in the San Francisco/Bay Area is at an all time high and we simply can't afford to live here. We are looking to relocate either in Dutchess or Orange County. Some of the cities we've looked at are Beacon and Poughkeepsie. One of our main concerns is the quality of school. We have two children who will be starting elementary school next year. Other concerns, of course, are the cost of living and safety. Any information, good or bad, would be appreciated.

I'm just jumping in here so I hope it's ok. I live in Dutchess county and it's a great place to live. The schools are decent. And, both my kids are doing great in school! There are lots of amenties here in Dutchess with the many farms, great activities for kids., i.e., soft ball, hockey, soccer, cheerleading, 4-H and scouting just to name a few. It's not like living in Westchester where all of the houses are next to each other. Here in Dutchess most parcels are at least 1 acre and many are up to 5 acres.

It's true the taxes are high but not as high as living in the city. Plus you have the added benefit of living in a quiet, country setting and being only 1.5 hours away from the city. It's the best of both worlds IMO.

We put our house on the market but we plan to stay in Dutchess County. You can check out our listing here: http://www.flyinside.com/tour.php?id=8359

[NY2CaliNBak]

Originally Posted by NickL28

That is so funny. I would trade places with you in a minute. Actually I was planning to move out to Los Angeles back in March, but got a job offer here in Manhattan that I really couldn't refuse but next year (2007) I am out of here.

But, you think that the Cost of Living, Taxes, & Quality of Life will be better here in the NYC metro area (Orange & Dutchess is still part of NYC metro like Nassau & Suffol)?? You are in for a rude awakening. At least in the Bay Area & LA you can rent a nice apartment or house for significantly less than owning. Not so around here. It is nearly impossible to find a legal apartment for less than $2,000 a month. Plus rents are skyrocketing everywhere in and around NYC and the suburbs.
Taxes, commuting costs, groceries, gas are confiscatory expensive.

If you need $100,000 to live on as a single person in the Bay Area, you need closer to $200,000 around here.

Also, you will have to say goodbye to that laid back, friendly, neighborly attitude you find out west. Here you are judged by what you drive & what you wear as well as your ethnicity.

I can tell you that life in beautiful California is overrated, way so ! LA is theee pits...sure, nice areas too, nice beaches, etc...every place has good and bad. San Fran is way better but too $$$ ! But, overall, westerners are very different than easterners and more than that, it's better for us in the NE. NE is gorgeous and culturally more desirable, and nothing beats NE autumns, but that's just based on my tastes.

[NY2CaliNBak]

Originally Posted by NickL28

Also, you will have to say goodbye to that laid back, friendly, neighborly attitude you find out west. Here you are judged by what you drive & what you wear as well as your ethnicity.

What laid back??? Ppl out west are rude and very UNlaid-back...Laid Back = "I don't care".

As for the judging part, Now it REALLY sounds like you're talking about LA

[winnie]

You can find rents in Orange county and Dutchess for under 2K/month. I have even seen a few apartment complexes listed in Rockland for under 2K month.
While NY is no picnic for cost of living, it certainly is nothing like CA for home prices. Check out the top 10 most expensive places to live on the lists out there. Usually at least 8/10 are in CA. And the most expensive gas prices seem to always be out in CA as well.

NYC was recently rated the most friendly city in the USA. While I don't encourage everyone to give this a go, if you are in CA and looking for cheaper cost of living you may be pretty happy with NY metro, especially 30-70 minutes from NYC.

[Pidgett]

From his posts that I have read, NickL28 is a cynic and a malcontent who has a thing against his experiences living in the NYC/Long Island area. Which of course is his right and privelege. No one can doubt his honesty and convictions. But one can arguably suggest to Mr. Nick that if he doesn't like living in the NYC area then he should move and not just keep on living there and ***** about it! Doesn't this make sense? I HATE living in West Virginia and I presently am doing all I can to prepare to move away from here when my job finally moves to either upstate New York or Vermont. Unlike Nick and some others on City-Data forums, I have never posted a disparaging word about W. Virginia, ever.

So to the originator of this thread (and others, too), sift through the chaff to get only the wheat, if you catch my meaning. You'll be better informed for the effort.

[jeebs3000]

We are considering a move from Brooklyn to Beacon. We have a 4 yr. old daughter. Can someone give me as objective a view on the schools in the Beacon City School District? We are not looking for the "perfect" school situation as we are very aware of the neuroses of some parents when it comes to their high and sometimes impossible expectations when looking for schools that cater to their needs. We intend fully to share the responsibility of educating our child and not lay it all on the schools. Is Beacon doable? Any Beacon NY parents out there!

[Lclsox]

I have been to new york city and san francisco and let me say a little something about new york the houses are quite expensive but every thing else is the cheapest in the country a dosen roses are 6$ litteraly central park is the most amazing place in the us to me once you go in the noise of the city goes away i cant even see the city you do nt need a car u take the subway you can take your kids to school in that thats what every one does you take the aubway all around the city and they are on almost every corner its has movie sets everywhere and if the lights shine in your window you can go tell the producer and they HAVE to give you 50$ the schools are good and as of now new york is the safest place in the usnew york is also the friendlyest place in the us and every person is no more than 10 min grom the ocean and you know all about california so which will it b