Depression = Downplay the Syracuse area (New York, Lansing: crime, good schools, camp)

[bellafinzi]

I've been thinking lately. If the future plays out according to some "experts" out there and the world enters a depression, do we really want masses of people from the East Coast Megalopolis to move here to the Syracuse area during a depression?

Lately I've heard some doomsayers say that people should move out of densely populated large cities now before the economy gets even worse. They said the two safest places to move to are: 1) a small town or 2) a suburban subdivision.

During normal times I'd gladly welcome newcomers, but if it happens during a depression that changes everything. That means the same resources divided among more people. And what if the people who relocate here commit crime more readily since they aren't from here and have no vested interest in the community?

During hard times things that most thought as negatives before...lots of snow and rain might become positives. Or unimportant features before like farms in the middle of suburbs, spread out suburbs, lots of small towns surrounded by farmland, grocery stores within walking or biking distance to most suburbs... become places where families are looking to live.

So maybe Syracuse area residents should start downplaying our great quality of life so that people don't want to move here? Most outsiders right now think of Syracuse as an economic wasteland, and a snowbound arctic wasteland. Some people even think crime is bad here. Should we let everyone continue to think this is a horrible place to live and keep our community a well guarded secret at least until the world economy improves?

Any thoughts?

[PineHallGirl]

Hee hee!! ~Bella, I think just those three words you used..."Snowbound Artic Wasteland" will keep the riff-raff far, far away...no worry! Hey, I'm from the great state of Michigan so I know what those words can do to an outsider...run for cover!

Not to worry my friend, not to worry!

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by bellafinzi

I've been thinking lately. If the future plays out according to some "experts" out there and the world enters a depression, do we really want masses of people from the East Coast Megalopolis to move here to the Syracuse area during a depression?

Lately I've heard some doomsayers say that people should move out of densely populated large cities now before the economy gets even worse. They said the two safest places to move to are: 1) a small town or 2) a suburban subdivision.

During normal times I'd gladly welcome newcomers, but if it happens during a depression that changes everything. That means the same resources divided among more people. And what if the people who relocate here commit crime more readily since they aren't from here and have no vested interest in the community?

During hard times things that most thought as negatives before...lots of snow and rain might become positives. Or unimportant features before like farms in the middle of suburbs, spread out suburbs, lots of small towns surrounded by farmland, grocery stores within walking or biking distance to most suburbs... become places where families are looking to live.

So maybe Syracuse area residents should start downplaying our great quality of life so that people don't want to move here? Most outsiders right now think of Syracuse as an economic wasteland, and a snowbound arctic wasteland. Some people even think crime is bad here. Should we let everyone continue to think this is a horrible place to live and keep our community a well guarded secret at least until the world economy improves?

Any thoughts?

Sometimes I wonder if the people in this area do that for that reason you just brought up. I know that the manufacturing base isn't coming back anytime soon and the area is one in transition. Considering that the area is still generally safe, has good schools(even some in the SCSD), affordable housing, a lot of things going on(depending on what you want to do) and so on, maybe you will see more of that attitude from the area.

[bellafinzi]

Originally Posted by PineHallGirl

Hee hee!! ~Bella, I think just those three words you used..."Snowbound Arctic Wasteland" will keep the riff-raff far, far away...no worry! Hey, I'm from the great state of Michigan so I know what those words can do to an outsider...run for cover!

Not to worry my friend, not to worry!

You're right PineHallGirl. Snow scares most away from the area.

I know about Michigan too. My sister lives right outside Kalamazoo and keeps me updated on the snowfall there during the winter. At first I was surprised to find out that in that part of Michigan the snowfall is on par with Syracuse for a large part of the winter. Though by the end of the season, Syracuse usually ends up with at least 40 inches more than Kalamazoo.

[PineHallGirl]

Originally Posted by bellafinzi

You're right PineHallGirl. Snow scares most away from the area.

I know about Michigan too. My sister lives right outside Kalamazoo and keeps me updated on the snowfall there during the winter. At first I was surprised to find out that in that part of Michigan the snowfall is on par with Syracuse for a large part of the winter. Though by the end of the season, Syracuse usually ends up with at least 40 inches more than Kalamazoo.

We live just 20 minutes from Kalamazoo and go there frequently...especially downtown for an outstanding bakery..."Sarki's" (sp?) and a spin around the block to go to an architecture salvage place, and antique store. We get snow, especially this year which was a stellar year. I'm used to snow...was raised in Michigan from day one!

Bella, how are the road crews in 'cuse? If we bought in Strathmore or Berkeley Park, would the roads be cleared pretty fast? They get right on them here in Michigan. I'd give the Michigan road crews an A.

[bellafinzi]

That's cool you live near Kalamazoo! I've been there a few times to visit my sister..it's a nice little area IMO. I like it compared to many other places I've been. Even though I was taken aback after a waitress there told us she never heard of a place called Syracuse, NY.

The Syracuse area does a great job at removing snow too. It was probably slightly better in the 1990s... really not enough of a deterioration to complain about though. Since every town and municipality is different - they all use their own plows - I can't speak directly to Strathmore or any other part of the city. I'm pretty sure the city is very good too. Otherwise I think I'd hear more complaining. People here are spoiled by good snow removal and when it's lacking, you usually hear about it in the message boards or in the newspaper.

[PineHallGirl]

Originally Posted by bellafinzi

That's cool you live near Kalamazoo! I've been there a few times to visit my sister..it's a nice little area IMO. I like it compared to many other places I've been. Even though I was taken aback after a waitress there told us she never heard of a place called Syracuse, NY.

The Syracuse area does a great job at removing snow too. It was probably slightly better in the 1990s... really not enough of a deterioration to complain about though. Since every town and municipality is different - they all use their own plows - I can't speak directly to Strathmore or any other part of the city. I'm pretty sure the city is very good too. Otherwise I think I'd hear more complaining. People here are spoiled by good snow removal and when it's lacking, you usually hear about it in the message boards or in the newspaper.

Bella, some people think there is only one city in New York state, and it's called, New York City!

Yes, I agree. Kalamazoo is a cool city. It's hilly and has a rejevenated downtown. It is a much more progressive city than the Lansing area (where we are living). K-zoo is rich in history. There are some beautiful architectural landmarks. And it's so much closer to Lake Michigan which I LOVE!

Glad to hear about the good snow removal !!

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by PineHallGirl

Bella, some people think there is only one city in New York state, and it's called, New York City!

Yes, I agree. Kalamazoo is a cool city. It's hilly and has a rejevenated downtown. It is a much more progressive city than the Lansing area (where we are living). K-zoo is rich in history. There are some beautiful architectural landmarks. And it's so much closer to Lake Michigan which I LOVE!

Glad to hear about the good snow removal !!

Yeah, I've heard very good things about K'zoo. I've only been to Portage once.

Also, you must be closer to places like Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Marshall, Albion, Battle Creek, Portland, Grand Ledge, Olivet and that area between Lansing and K'zoo.

[PineHallGirl]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Yeah, I've heard very good things about K'zoo. I've only been to Portage once.

Also, you must be closer to places like Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Marshall, Albion, Battle Creek, Portland, Grand Ledge, Olivet and that area between Lansing and K'zoo.

Hey there CK! Yep, some of those I go to frequently...I shop at a Family Fare (supermarket) in Marshall, I go to Battle Creek to a store called "Horrocks" which is a diverse grocery, flower, landscape material, cards and candles place. We pass through Eaton Rapids to go see my sis in Jackson. I volunteer at a music camp in Olivet in June...in fact, Olivet is the closest town to us. My husband USED to work at Michigan State in EL.

I think you would really dig K'zoo.

[newyorkborn&raised]

What's wrong with people from the East Coat Megalopolis? Sounds like someone has an axe to grind.