New York's Young People Fleeing the State

[shibainu]

rochesterturning.com: turning the tide upstate
On September 18, 2007, the First Lady will host the 'I Live New York' summit at SUNY Cortland, to address the following questions:

• How do we expand job opportunities, incentives for small businesses creation and entrepreneurial growth among our younger generation?
• How do we better connect college students with Upstate employers?
• How can young people participate in and benefit from the revitalization of Upstate’s urban and cultural centers?
• How can we make housing more affordable and sustainable for young families?
• How will connecting young people through volunteering and civic engagement strengthen communities?
www.ny.gov - FIRST LADY ANNOUNCES BRAIN DRAIN INITIATIVE
A study conducted by the New York State Department of Economic Development and Cornell University found that between 1995 and 2000, Upstate New York attracted a total of 235,000 young adults, of which 187,000 came from other states and Downstate New York and 48,000 came from abroad. Over the same period 303,000 young adults left Upstate for other locations. The study additionally found that in 2000, there were nearly 45,000 persons under the age of 28 who had 4 or more years of college education and were employed. In this category, those moving into the region numbered 11,700, but were offset by the out-migration of nearly 47,000.

“Young New Yorkers leaving in search of better opportunities is hardly news, but it is a dangerous trend we can ill afford to ignore,” said First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer. “We have to approach this issue through a solutions-oriented lens that focuses on developing innovative strategies and collaborative partnerships with all sectors. While we recognize that this is a multi-dimensional, deep rooted problem, the best way to make strides is to make small changes that build on each other and will carry us into the future.”

Governor Spitzer said: “We promised to rebuild New York’s economy so it can compete on the global stage in the next century, and over the past eight months, we have delivered on this promise. Yet these ‘macro-level’ efforts alone cannot transform the Upstate economy. Real dynamism comes from connections between individuals. This conference will help facilitate those connections, generating real excitement and economic growth in Upstate New York.”

www.ny.gov - FIRST LADY SILDA WALL SPITZER CONVENES "I LIVE NEW YORK" SUMMIT
Check this out It was in the news yesterday. I found the study that was done in march for rochester.
http://www.roccity.org/RCC_SurveyReport-FINAL.pdf

[oktaren]

out of the 75 people who graduating in my high school class, i think 5 of them still live in the area. everyone moved away, and mostly to states other than new york.

[Upstate Dave]

Originally Posted by shibainu

rochesterturning.com: turning the tide upstate
On September 18, 2007, the First Lady will host the 'I Live New York' summit at SUNY Cortland, to address the following questions:

• How do we expand job opportunities, incentives for small businesses creation and entrepreneurial growth among our younger generation?
• How do we better connect college students with Upstate employers?
• How can young people participate in and benefit from the revitalization of Upstate’s urban and cultural centers?
• How can we make housing more affordable and sustainable for young families?
• How will connecting young people through volunteering and civic engagement strengthen communities?
www.ny.gov - FIRST LADY ANNOUNCES BRAIN DRAIN INITIATIVE
A study conducted by the New York State Department of Economic Development and Cornell University found that between 1995 and 2000, Upstate New York attracted a total of 235,000 young adults, of which 187,000 came from other states and Downstate New York and 48,000 came from abroad. Over the same period 303,000 young adults left Upstate for other locations. The study additionally found that in 2000, there were nearly 45,000 persons under the age of 28 who had 4 or more years of college education and were employed. In this category, those moving into the region numbered 11,700, but were offset by the out-migration of nearly 47,000.

“Young New Yorkers leaving in search of better opportunities is hardly news, but it is a dangerous trend we can ill afford to ignore,” said First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer. “We have to approach this issue through a solutions-oriented lens that focuses on developing innovative strategies and collaborative partnerships with all sectors. While we recognize that this is a multi-dimensional, deep rooted problem, the best way to make strides is to make small changes that build on each other and will carry us into the future.”

Governor Spitzer said: “We promised to rebuild New York’s economy so it can compete on the global stage in the next century, and over the past eight months, we have delivered on this promise. Yet these ‘macro-level’ efforts alone cannot transform the Upstate economy. Real dynamism comes from connections between individuals. This conference will help facilitate those connections, generating real excitement and economic growth in Upstate New York.”

www.ny.gov - FIRST LADY SILDA WALL SPITZER CONVENES "I LIVE NEW YORK" SUMMIT
Check this out It was in the news yesterday. I found the study that was done in march for rochester.
http://www.roccity.org/RCC_SurveyReport-FINAL.pdf

Another summit.... whatever. I read with interest about this and thought the most telling statement was from a rep. of a business council essentially saying that, sure taxes were lowered but many 'loopholes" were closed effectively raising taxes paid by businesses. Many would say those loopholes should never have existed, but the end result is higher tax burdens on businesses. Creating tough conditions for businesses results in tough conditions for job seekers.

[averagenyjoe]

Originally Posted by Redd Jedd

What makes you think it can’t last? This is not your father’s South any more.

NC has a lot more room to develop and from the stand point of the NYC area, it is designed for smarter growth than that area was. And the taxes throughout NYS are too high to compete with any new area in the South, Mid-West or West. And what’s wrong with new roads vs. the old ones up north? Is older better?

In reference to new houses vs. old, what makes you say they will not last as long as a house built in the north 50 to 80 years ago?

Is it the new methods of construction based on technology?
Is it the new materials like engineered lumber that are stronger that regular wood?
Is it the more stringent building codes in place now, rather than the ones in place 80 years ago?
Is it the newer window, door, insulation and whether barriers that are used today?
Specifically, what is going to fail after 15 or 20 years?

I’ve pulled wood that was broken, warped, split, etc… from my 60 year house that did that for no other reason except that it was old.

One only had to look on LI for more than NY’s share of crooked politicians, let alone the 3 guys that actually run NYS – Bruno, Silver and the governor.

These were just my observations, whether good or bad. I had a house that was 13 yrs old outside Charlotte. I went to sell it and had to replace wiring, plumbing and even some framing because of shoddy work and corners being cut by the builder. Yes, there are codes stronger than years ago but as I found out there were a mountain of violations that should have failed my house but when I found out who built it, well, he was a good ole boy who had some deals with the the local pol's just as is very common. There are opportunities to slam up houses by the hundreds and enough money to pad alot of palms and that is exactly what is going on. Nowhere can you float around as much money as is going around in the South right now and not find corruption following. yes, there are exceptions but that is sadly the norm. years ago in the North as well as South, there was an expected code of "ethics" that was used in workmanship. I find that the older houses up here merely need to be maintained for the normal expected repairs. We had low quality laminated particle board on our roof and on our garage doors and all of it needed replacing after only 13 yrs. All our windows needed replacing and the frame around it because they were not installed properly but looked fine by eye and passed inspection. Buyer beware, I know. But still a crying shame when the inspectors dont say anything or they are nicely painted over.

As far as roads, there are those endless 1 & 2 & 3 hundred house cul-de-sac neighborhoods that dont connect and all empty out on the same little 2 lane road and now that they are trying to widen them and put in highways, well, there are entire neighborhood sitting in the way. Even the local town Fathers admit that planning has been very poor and in need of better planning. That is from them and just admitted by me

You are entirely right about the taxes up here keeping the South afloat. But when or IF this place ever straightens out, it wont take much equalization to throw off the whole Southern experiment. The south is building a house of cards and can, in a very real way, turn into a rust belt just like NY has been dealing with.

[newyorkborn&raised]

I know this post is idle, but I want to say one more thing about us. NYers are the most provincial people in the country! Generally I have found that LI people look down on NYC, NYC looks down on Upstate and Upstaters look down on everyone else who does not live in the immediate area. Syracuse people think that Watertown and the rest of the North Country might as well be on Mars and it is only 60 miles away. Albany feels that way about Syracuse. Everyone thinks that WNY is a distant land waiting to be discovered. It is true the Empire State is very diverse, almost too diverse for our own good. The one thing other states have that we do not is a common pride in statehood and unity. We are not bonded together as New Yorkers, we are all our own separate little citizens of the city/region in NYS we live in. This attitude will kill us.

[bellafinzi]

Originally Posted by newyorkborn&raised

I know this post is idle, but I want to say one more thing about us. NYers are the most provincial people in the country! Generally I have found that LI people look down on NYC, NYC looks down on Upstate and Upstaters look down on everyone else who does not live in the immediate area. Syracuse people think that Watertown and the rest of the North Country might as well be on Mars and it is only 60 miles away. Albany feels that way about Syracuse. Everyone thinks that WNY is a distant land waiting to be discovered. It is true the Empire State is very diverse, almost too diverse for our own good. The one thing other states have that we do not is a common pride in statehood and unity. We are not bonded together as New Yorkers, we are all our own separate little citizens of the city/region in NYS we live in.

Very, very true!

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by newyorkborn&raised

I know this post is idle, but I want to say one more thing about us. NYers are the most provincial people in the country! Generally I have found that LI people look down on NYC, NYC looks down on Upstate and Upstaters look down on everyone else who does not live in the immediate area. Syracuse people think that Watertown and the rest of the North Country might as well be on Mars and it is only 60 miles away. Albany feels that way about Syracuse. Everyone thinks that WNY is a distant land waiting to be discovered. It is true the Empire State is very diverse, almost too diverse for our own good. The one thing other states have that we do not is a common pride in statehood and unity. We are not bonded together as New Yorkers, we are all our own separate little citizens of the city/region in NYS we live in. This attitude will kill us.

Then you will see how little where you are from in NY matters. You are a New Yorker, period. Whether you are from Brooklyn or Buffalo, it will not matter.

[Rachael84]

My fiance and I are staying on Long Island, but will probably move when we retire since I'll want a change by then. But who knows what will happen in 30 years when we have kids and how we'll feel by then.

[TANaples]

To answer the OP. My older daughter (29), who lives on LI, called us up a few weeks saying she wanted to move here by us in Florida. Little background. We aren't retired and only moved here for a job.

My daughter is struggling financially in NY. She broke up with her SO. She was very depressed and said she wanted to leave to make a new life. This is what I said to her.

You cannot run away from your problems. You have to face them. No matter how bad your finances are in NY, they will be worse in Florida. She is making $14/hour in NY. The equivalent job here pays $9/$10 an hour. Even if she were to get a supervisor postion in here field it would still only pay $11/$12.

The rents are not much cheaper. She was sharing a whole house on LI for $500 a month. She would still have to pay $500 here (Naples), but she would be sharing a 2 bedroom condo, not a whole house.

She hates the heat. Even as a baby, she would walk around in her diapers saying, "HOT, HOT, HOT". If you don't like year round hot weather, as I do also, you won't like Florida.

She is also gay. I told her if you think you are discriminated against in NY, it will be double in the south. I worked with a young gay woman this past summer. She told me all about how it was growing up, and even now, as a lesbian in Florida. I told my daughter this woman's experiences. Do you really want to have to put up with all that too I asked her?

She has decided to stay in New York and work things out. I think she made the right decision.