People moving back to Northern States from Sunbelt states for many reasons. (Oswego: employment, living in)

[samstersmom]

I am from Utica and moved to Maryland in 2000. I moved back to Utica in 2006 because I missed my family and friends (and some NY stuff). But soon after I was miserable because the job market was bad. Any job that you have you need to hold on for dear life (even if you hate it)because there are so few jobs out there. And the employers know this so they feel that they don't have to win you over with more money or a promotion. My husband was expected to work 80 hours a week (salary) because the company wouldn't hire more people. The employees had to go along with it otherwise they would be out of a job. After living in Maryland for six years I realized how much better employees are treated. I moved back to Maryland in 2008 and am happy here (even though it is more expensive).

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by samstersmom

I am from Utica and moved to Maryland in 2000. I moved back to Utica in 2006 because I missed my family and friends (and some NY stuff). But soon after I was miserable because the job market was bad. Any job that you have you need to hold on for dear life (even if you hate it)because there are so few jobs out there. And the employers know this so they feel that they don't have to win you over with more money or a promotion. My husband was expected to work 80 hours a week (salary) because the company wouldn't hire more people. The employees had to go along with it otherwise they would be out of a job. After living in Maryland for six years I realized how much better employees are treated. I moved back to Maryland in 2008 and am happy here (even though it is more expensive).

Maybe you and the hubby should have moved to a bigger city in Upstate, which generally has a better job market than Utica(no disrespect and isn't as bad as people think). Even smaller cities like Ithaca, Saratoga Springs and the Watertown/Ft. Drum area are seeing some growth actually.

[samstersmom]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Maybe you and the hubby should have moved to a bigger city in Upstate, which generally has a better job market than Utica(no disrespect and isn't as bad as people think). Even smaller cities like Ithaca, Saratoga Springs and the Watertown/Ft. Drum area are seeing some growth actually.

Yeah, but the whole point of moving back home was to be near my family and friends. Close enough where I could pop in after work or go to lunch with my sister. I didn't want to live in Syracuse and only be able to see my family on the occasional weekend.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by samstersmom

Yeah, but the whole point of moving back home was to be near my family and friends. Close enough where I could pop in after work or go to lunch with my sister. I didn't want to live in Syracuse and only be able to see my family on the occasional weekend.

I hear ya'. What kind of work was he doing, if you don't mind me asking?

Also, could living someplace like Oneida, Canastota, Sherrill, Vernon, or maybe even Rome work?

[samstersmom]

It was Metlife. Everyone in NY told him when he got the job that he was going to hate it but he didn't think it would be so bad and we wanted to be back in NY so he took the job. Oneida and those other places would still be a distance from New Hartford. I lived only a mile from my mom when I was there so I could see her alot.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by samstersmom

It was Metlife. Everyone in NY told him when he got the job that he was going to hate it but he didn't think it would be so bad and we wanted to be back in NY so he took the job. Oneida and those other places would still be a distance from New Hartford. I lived only a mile from my mom when I was there so I could see her alot.

I'm kind of surprised that Utica National didn't have something he might have liked in his field of employment. They even have an office in new Hartford too.

Here's a good site to look at jobs in the region: Central New York Jobs in Insurance

Central New York Jobs

Central New York Jobs
Utica/Rome, NY Jobs | Jobs in Utica/Rome New York and Surrounding Areas

[samstersmom]

He applied at Utica National and The Hartford but they never called him. I wasn't happy with my job either. Overworked and way underpaid. I don't think we will be moving back anytime soon since we just bought a home in MD.

[flaglerfox]

I have lived in Sunny Florida now for 21 years. I am thinking of moving to Watertown, NY as my Son and his wife and my granddaughter now live on base in Ft. Drum. I do love the weather here in Florida. I love the beach and the pool and being outdoors. I grew up in Long Island, so I am not a stranger to the winters. However, I do believe its worse upstate NY. I am concerned about the cold. But, you reminded me of all the fun I used to have in the snow. I am 50 years old now, and dont think I will be building igloos. Anyway, you made me feel better about moving back North.

Originally Posted by grdnrman

I've heard that many people who previously lived in the Mid-West, NYS/PA/NJ & New England States and moved to sunbelt states like Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, & Nevada & other sunbelt states are now having "Second Thoughts" about moving to the sunbelt. These people are now in the process of moving back North or seriously/actively planning to move back North. My response to these people is "WELCOME HOME"; we are glad to have you come home again. I myself, many years ago, had thought the "grass was greener" and I moved to Florida. After living there for some time I realized my move was a mistake for me. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed VACATIONING in Florida or the other sunbelt states but I REALLY MISSED so many things that the northern states have to offer. I decided that my permanent home should be up north and I could spend vacations in the sunbelt for a Winter respite. I did not move back north to my former small rural home town. I decided for various reasons to return north to a larger city which would offer more amenities. I considered Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Binghamton, Corning/Horseheads/Elmira, Utica/Rome/Herkimer, Saratoga Springs, & Albany. After considering numerous factors I chose suburban Syracuse. I have lived in the Syracuse suburbs now for several years and I'm very satisfied that I made that decision. That's enough about me. Some of my reasons and other peoples reasons for moving back north are outlined following. Reasons for moving away from the sunbelt states>>>too hot temperatures for too many months of the year-you just can't get away from the constant heat unless you are inside air conditioned buildings, do not like all the insects/termites/red ants/scorpions/poisonious snakes/alligators/etc., do not like the destructive hurricanes & tornados, do not like the endless FLAT land, do not like the desert as a permanent landscape, food prices are overall HIGHER (which surprised me) than in the north, electricity cost can be higher, home prices are higher, lower pay scale in many areas, heavy traffic in large sunbelt cities, lower sunbelt property taxes BUT other fees on things cancel-out/erase this advantage factor, higher auto & home insurance costs, higher cost to register your vehicles, serious lack/shortage of clean water supply, crime, the arts & cultural activities seem to be less available, some areas do not have as high education standards for their schools, miss family & lifelong friends who still live in the northern states, and many other reasons for leaving the sunbelt states. Reasons for moving back to northern states>>>Quality of life factors, lower/affordable & wide range of home prices in safe/decent neighborhoods/towns, high education standards of schools/colleges/universities, lower food prices, great supply of clean water, four seasons-Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter, the forested mountains, the abundance of lakes/rivers/streams, the major big cities offering cultural/sports/enjoyable activities are nearby enough to easily visit=Boston/New York/Philadelphia/Toronto/Montreal/etc., vacation destinations like Acadia Nat'l. Park, picturesque Maine ocean coast, quaint New England towns, the numerous mountains/lakes/scenery/towns of Vermont/New Hampshire/Maine, Cape Cod/Nantucket/Martha's Vineyard, the Adirondack/Catskill/Berkshire/Green/White/Pocono Mountains, the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NYS, the Thousand Islands & St. Lawrence River region, Niagara Falls & River Gorge, the scenic Lake George/Lake Champlain region of NY & VT., Old Sturbridge Village, Mystic Seaport, Genesee Country Village, the Corning Glass Museum, Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame, Lake Placid, Boothbay Harbor, Ogonquit, Kennebunkport, Bouckville Antique Shows, Longwood Gardens PA, Lancaster PA, Hershey PA, and a lot of other wonderful places & things to enjoy. And Yes, WE HAVE SNOW!! The snowy winter provides for mountain skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, snowmobiling, making snowmen, building snow igloos & forts, snowball banter, snow angels, and a beautiful winter wonderland atmosphere for sitting in your home in front of a crackling fireplace with family & friends & pets eating popcorn/making smores/drinking apple cider or wine/listening to music/watching a movie, as you watch thru the picture-window the snow gently falling outside your cozy home. Winter can be fun!! There are probably other reasons to move north too. You can SEARCH the internet for INFORMATION on any of the destinations/attractions/regions/cities mentioned herein. Just go to your internet search feature and type-in a subject such as: FINGER LAKES INFORMATION & PHOTOS, or CAPE COD INFORMATION & PHOTOS, or THOUSAND ISLANDS INFORMATION & PHOTOS, or any other subject. You may also want to read my thread titled: "Syracuse area/region is an affordable place to buy a home" on this site: City-Data.com, displayed under Syracuse, N.Y.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by flaglerfox

I have lived in Sunny Florida now for 21 years. I am thinking of moving to Watertown, NY as my Son and his wife and my granddaughter now live on base in Ft. Drum. I do love the weather here in Florida. I love the beach and the pool and being outdoors. I grew up in Long Island, so I am not a stranger to the winters. However, I do believe its worse upstate NY. I am concerned about the cold. But, you reminded me of all the fun I used to have in the snow. I am 50 years old now, and dont think I will be building igloos. Anyway, you made me feel better about moving back North.

It's an area with some hidden gems during the seasons with nicer weather too. You can go to the 1000 Islands region and Sackets Harbor nearby. You're not too far from the Adirondacks or Canada either. There are even a couple of beaches in that area too. Check out Alexandria Bay, Clayton and Cape Vincent when you can.

[tijlover]

Originally Posted by jrice

People that move away, in most cases, have found that the grass is not always greener on the otherside--atleast that was my experience

Where I live there is no grass, and I wasn't looking for greener grass when I moved here from the Upper Midwest. I had enough green up there to last me a lifetime.

I was looking for bluer skies, 300+ days of sunshine a year. Yesterday, we had one of our gray days. I was so depressed I almost panicked.

I can think of any number of cities in the North I'd love to move to if I could learn to overcome my cloudy-day panic attacks.