Last one out of syacuse,turnout the lights! (Rochester, Syracuse: theater, public schools)

[I'minformed2]

Originally Posted by bellafinzi

Good point. Side comment: Syracuse is actually closer to most Finger Lakes than Rochester. Still not sure how Rochester claimed the "Finger Lake Region" for itself. Syracuse is known as "Central New York", but Onondaga County has two Finger Lakes located inside its borders. Monroe County doesn't even have one Finger Lake.

My guess is that since Rochester's sprawl is closer to the Finger Lakes, Rochester attracts most of the attention from the Finger Lake communities.

I'd say the fingerlakes is right inbetween Rochester and Syracuse....they should share...although the city of Rochester actually owns 2 of the finger lakes. Keuka and one of the other ones I can't remember. The census beaureu puts them in the "Rochester/Finger Lakes CSA"

[JiminCT]

"I know you dislike Rochester....but saying the hills and wineries are in the Buffalo area, as opposed to where they actually are...in the Rochester/Fingerlakes region....is just stupid."

Hey "I'minformed"..ever heard of Riesling wine? Do you happen to know where Niagara-On-the-Lake is? How about IceWine..guess where it is made...Niagara-On-The-Lake? Did I even mention the fingerlakes?..I dont believe so. Do you know anything about geography or are you just a glutton for verbal abuse?

[aka_mouse]

Mad Dog 20/20 and uhm I think its Wild Irish Rose.. I dunno.. MD and another "bum wine" are both made by a major winery in Westfield, NY about 30 mins south of Buffalo.

Its cool driving out that way cause you see just grape vines along rt 5 or 20 forever and the Welches place. I dunno what they make there though, whether its grape juice or jelly. Maybe both.

[JiminCT]

bellafinzi...

"Syracuse is a depressing environment. I can imagine most artists and gays would feel hopeless in that type built environment."

Do you really think Buffalo is "uplifting"? They get artists because its cheap and there are some really cool industrial ruins. Syracuse has much of that as well...plus there is grit and lots of recreational diversions nearby. Buffalo's art scene is thriving..the city may take decades to rebound..but at least there is a magnet for artists...which is a good start.

[smalltownusa]

Originally Posted by i'minformed

I'd say the fingerlakes is right inbetween Rochester and Syracuse....they should share...although the city of Rochester actually owns 2 of the finger lakes. Keuka and one of the other ones I can't remember. The census beaureu puts them in the "Rochester/Finger Lakes CSA"

Also, the "baby" finger lakes are within 30 miles of Monroe County: Conesus, Hemlock and Honeoye with Hemlock providing the water for the city.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

Wow! I know people in Upstate NY are tired of me comparing your Rust Belt cities to my own hometown, but you sound exactly like every resident of Scranton, PA did a decade ago as well. People here had no hope in the 1990s, and we were nominated as runner-up for "Armpit of America" by a national publication (we fell short to Battle Mountain, NV). Our downtown was largely boarded-up, crime was running rampant in the city's Hill Section, the population was in steep decline, unemployment was high, people from NEW JERSEY of all places laughed at us, and it just seemed like the news got worse each and every day.

Today only roughly half of the city's residents have your pessimistic type of attitude while the rest are encouraged by recent growth in the city. This weekend alone has hosted the annual Scranton Jazz Festival, the ArtWalk for First Fridays, a unique "after-dark" exhibition at the Everhart Museum, among many other fine cultural events. The arts scene is growing here, and that is brining gentrification to many once-troubled neighborhoods, including the Hill Section. We're now the site for NBC's "The Office," a new film office by the Sorvino family, a new NY Yankees AAA franchise, an expanded international airport, and an upcoming major medical school, as well as the Wall Street West initiative. We're no longer the cess pool that we once were, and the secret is getting out, as the county's population grew for the first time between 2005-2006 in many decades. If Scranton can make a stunning turnaround in just a decade, then what makes you think Syracuse can't do the same?

Syracuse, too, will also have its revival, as will Binghamton, Elmira, Buffalo, Schenectady, Troy, Jamestown, Utica, Watertown, and other troubled Upstate NY Rust Belt cities. I was last in Syracuse several years ago to tour Syracuse University as a prospective candidate for their architectural program, and my family was impressed by the city. The architecture downtown was great, and we were happy to find another city that preserved its history instead of tearing it all down for a drive-thru bank or a Taco Bell. The view of the city as you approached it from the south via I-81 was absolutely gorgeous, and it is one that I'll fondly recall the next time I'm in your fair city.

What you need to do is to start to market yourselves aggressively to the NYC/NJ/Long Island crowd, many of whom are becoming fed up with their soaring cost-of-living and deteriorating quality-of-life and would be thrilled to live in a slower-paced city like Syracuse that still has a plethora of cultural amenities. Northeastern Pennsylvania is currently doing this, and we are starting to reap the benefits. You should also start to market yourselves more heavily towards the bohemian, artistic community (just look at Ithaca!) Perhaps you can all come up with a new slogan to promote your growing arts/cultural scene, such as "Searching for your muse? Come to Syracuse!" You could also market your proximity to the Finger Lakes, Adirondacks, and Lake Ontario to those who love the outdoors, especially active-adults who are looking to unwind somewhere that appreciates its natural beauty.

Negativity may only breed more negativity, yet optimism breeds even more optimism!

But, as you astutely noted in some prior posts, Scranton has become an adopted 5th column of NYC. It has actually been partially swallowed up by the NYC CMSA. So, Scranton has the benefit of location to its advantage. Syracuse does not share this benefit. I doubt someday people will be commuting from Syracuse to NYC, though I guess anything is possible.

[sheri88]

missed a few of the best Syracuse areas - Hotspots...

Hanover Square for music, art and the cafe scene
Armory Square - fine dining, music, art, bars
Little Italy... small north side area that WAS being brought back to life when I moved out of Syr a few yrs ago. Great Italian family owed restaurant, home made gelato, a few cool artsy bars opened in the area
Just outside the city... rollerblade along the lake.

There were a few things happening.... tons of room left for more!

[dianalb67]

As a 38 year resident of Onondaga County, I'm here to say I love the low traffic volume, the proximity to the Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence River, the beautiful county parks, Green Lakes State Park. I love the snow and the recreation it provides. If you move to Syracuse, the southwestern area of the county seems to get more sun than the northern suburbs. Skaneateles is 12 minutes from our home and is a wonderful resort town with a clean sparkling lake, beautiful village lakeside park, nice shops, beautiful homes. We often go there after work to sip a latte and sit lakeside. The suburban schools around Onondaga County are excellent. We have great tasting and inexpensive drinking water. We can be downtown or across town in 15 minutes. We have easy commutes. If you love to ski or hike, come to live in Central NY...the Adirondacks are a 2 to 3 hour drive. If you have never visited the Adirondacks and love the outdoors, plan your next vacation in or near beautiful Lake Placid. If you love to sail, there is Lake Ontario or Lake Champlain. The Finger Lakes and their wineries are a short drive. You can reach Cayuga Lake in one hour by car. We also have affordable housing and wonderful colleges and universities such as Lemoyne College, Syracuse University, SUNY Oswego and Cortland, Cornell University, about an hour to our south and Colgate University to our east. I have always viewed the change of seasons as a positive. Overall, Onondaga County is a great place to live and raise a family. Unfortunately, we lack the political leadership to brighten our economic future.

[mjkw3]

Help! We live in the Detroit suburbs of Michigan. My husband has been laid off for almost 2 years (casuality of the automotive industry). He has a possible job possibility in Aurora. I know absolutely nothing about the area and don't know where to start looking online. Where would be some good places to start? We have a 15 year old son so our priorities are a great high school and a place where he could fit in and make new friends. He is the number one priority. We are used to a pretty big city feel and I noticed the little that I did find online looked like houses with acres and acres of land and barns for horses...this is totallly out of our element! Is it possible to find a place in that area where we wouldn't feel secluded? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. I obviously know nothing about this area. BTW, the job would be in Aurora but he would be willing to commute up to 60 minutes each way if needed. Thanks!!!!!

[bellafinzi]

Aurora, New York is on the other side of Auburn. Probably closer to Ithaca than Syracuse. Never been there.