Relocating from Cali to NY (New York, Rochester: for rent, crime rate, second mortgage)

[DebInCali]

I'm interested in relocating from California to Auburn, New York. What can you all tell me? I'm pretty tired of California. High home costs, low paying jobs, etc. I just want to take my family someplace that we can live a decent life. Any help you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated!

[Ex-Ithacan]

I don't know a whole lot about Auburn, but I'll give you some info. It is located fairly closely to Syracuse, so there's some bigger city amenities not too far away. The city has some great older homes (at least on the southside) and the couple of neighborhoods I've been in looked quite nice. On the down side, Auburn has been losing population for a while 9not unlike most of the cities in the Northeast). I think the economy has been stung by loss of blue-collar jobs from plant closings. An anchor of the local economy is the state prison located a couple of blocks from downtown. As far as I've seen, the crime rate isn't bad. I really don't know much about the school system. I hope you can find out more info on the net, and have a smooth move to upstate NY.

[I'minformed2]

Auburn in a nice small city, but as said, has one of the biggest prisons in the state. If you liked the town for it's setting, in the Finger Lakes region; I'd suggest looking a little further west in Canandaigua...a small city (11,000 people) that is actually gaining population and has a much more white collar presence. It's very close to Rochester (35 minutes at most, so many people commute and that's why it is more white collar), and is in Ontario County, which was just ranked the best rural county to live in America.

[yorkie luvr]

Wow- we are thinking about leaving NY and moving to Calif for the exact same reasons. Housing too expensive, taxes too high, low paying jobs.........

[I'minformed2]

90% of NY (everythying North and West of the Catskills) is WAY more affordable than anywhere in California.

[DebInCali]

Thanks for the great info! As far as relocating to Cali from NY....don't do it. California is getting worse and worse. Homes are skyrocketing. I've been an administrative assistant for over 5 years. The companies here act like I'm an idiot for expecting to be paid more than $9.00 or $10.00 per hour. I'm noticing homes that were just bought last year already back on the market because the buyers can't afford them. I personally know this lady who just bought a brand new home. Got a home loan and then had to turn around and automatically take out a second mortgage just to make the down payment. I pay $630.00 rent for my house. But, I live in the middle of nowhere, in the desert, which is the only reason the rent is cheap. If you're planning to move to Cali, please really do the research. Again, thanks for the great info.

[Virginian]

I agree, don't move to CA. My husband and I moved from CA to VA 9 years ago and we would do it again in a heartbeat. So long traffic, smog, crime, taxes and the like. Best of luck in your move to NY. We are looking to move to a more rural area...Owego, NY

[janetc69]

Originally Posted by DebInCali

I'm interested in relocating from California to Auburn, New York. What can you all tell me? I'm pretty tired of California. High home costs, low paying jobs, etc. I just want to take my family someplace that we can live a decent life. Any help you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated!

Hi! Auburn was once considered a "working man's town", but alot of the industry is now gone. Cost of housing is lower as many people have left the area. The school system is so-so as is the crime level...some people choose to live outside the city in places like Skaneateles (a quaint, upscale town 5 miles east) or Union Springs ( a small village where we live 8 miles southwest). Our kids attend a wonderful Christian school across the lake in Seneca Falls (another nice town)...we love the staff and the tuition is more than reasonable. Even so, I have heard wonderful things about the Union Springs school district and wouldn't hesitate to place my children there. I also feel pretty safe here and enjoy the small town atmosphere. My biggest concern would be finding a job.

[I'minformed2]

Yeah; I have to say there are much nicer towns in the Finger Lakes region to live; with better schools, lower crime, and more job opportunities. Canandaigua would IMO, be the best choice for a Finger Lakes town. It's within easy commuting distance to Rochester; so it would be much easier to find a job; the crime rate is almost non-existant, the schools are excellent, and it is right on Canandaigua Lake. Because it is such a great place to live, it is growing in population and there is more demand so houses are a little more expensive than the rest of the region. But still very affordable on national standards. $200,000 will get you a great 3+ bedroom newer (or even older if you like, lots of 19th century homes in the town) house with a decent sized yard.

[DebInCali]

I'll have to look in the Union Springs area as well, then. Schooling is very important as I still have 3 children who are school age. Currently, I live in a really small town. The school district is just downright lousy. If a teacher or administrator doesn't like your child, for whatever reason (and some of them express this right in front of other children!), they make life extremely difficult. I swear, any time I have to deal with these people, I can hear the banjo theme from Deliverance playing! I live here because my rent is only $630.00 per month. On the coast, I would be paying 3 times that amount for rent and I can't afford that. So, I definitely would be looking for an older home when I move us there. I'm looking to move by this time next year, at the latest. I don't think I want to do a move like this during the winter time. Being raised in Ohio, I remember what winters back there can be like. Are there newpaper links for the Rochester area? If so, could you post them? I need to get an idea of what the job market is like there. I'm an administrative assistant of 5 years with excellent skills and a great deal of knowledge about software programs. I really appreciate all the help and information you all are giving me. Thanks so very much!